Introduction
In the early 1600s, Great Britain started establishing colonies along the North America’s Atlantic coast from Florida in the south and Newfoundland in the North. Virginia was the first successful colony. In the 17 Century, more immigrants moved to the United States from Europe by travelling across the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the immigrants came from Western Europe, especially Great Britain. Most people were leaving Europe due to strict rules by monarchies that curtailed all forms of their freedom. According to Lanning (2008) there was little or no tolerance of different religions as well as room for economic prosperity. Hence, the continued influx of immigrants from Europe resulted in the creation of more colonies. He also points out that all the thirteen colonies of the United States were established between 1607 and 1733.
Articles of Confederation
Prior to independence, the United States’ thirteen autonomous colonies were loosely connected by a set of national laws that were laid down in the articles of confederations. The articles of confederations determined the federal government’s power. Under the article of confederations the federal government was made of a single legislative body, the Continental Congress. They did not provide for the judiciary or presidency. Following the end of the civil war most of the American’s founding fathers felt the need to unite the country through the revision of the articles of confederation that seemed to have numerous weaknesses this led to the creation of the United States constitutions. This issue divided the nation’s founding fathers into camps; supporters and opposers of the articles of confederations.
The main supporters of the constitution were the representatives from the smaller states like New Jersey and the opponents were from larger states like Virginia. The smaller states were of the opinion that the Articles of Confederation did give them power and the autonomy to do their business as they wished. The opponents were of the opinion that there was need for a strong central government to help stabilize the newly formed country. The majority of the American revolutionary leaders were divided into two opposing camps on the question of the central government structure. One camp was for the Articles of Confederation (anti-federalists), since they incorporated the issue of sovereignty of each state and the central government had no mandate of tax collection. Those who were for the article of confederation were against any provision for a strong federal government. The proposing camp (Federalists or the nationalists), was firmly against the confederation article. They were of the belief that a young country that had emerged from war needed strong central government. The Nationalists struggled to ensure amendments to the Confederation Articles, to ensure a strong national government with real power and capacity to raise revenue on its own. The convection that took place in Philadelphia, on May 25th was meant to correct the weakness of the articles confederation (Constitution of the United States of America, n.d.).
The constitutional convention was held to deliberate the way forward on the limits or deficits of the articles of confederation. The major purpose of the convention was the determination of the structure of the government. One of the limits of the articles revolved around its failure to enable Congress to take a leading role in country commercial issues. This forced congress to be dependent on contributions from different states and thus it is unable to pay foreign loans or pay soldiers who served in the revolution. Because of problems ranging from the nullification of debts by Rhode Island to the rebellion by farmers in Massachusetts, congress was convinced that there was need for modification of the Articles of Confederation.
Consequently, in 1787, a congress for Constitutional Convention of delegates which was held in May in Philadelphia to deliberate on the Articles of Confederation. The Virginia plan was introduced 4 days following the beginning of the conventional proceedings by Randolph who was representing state of Virginia, which was for a strong central government. Small states delegates and other anti-federalists opposed most of the proposals in the Virginia plan. A competing plan “New Jersey plan”, by New Jersey delegate, William Paterson, was introduced on the 14th of June. Contrary to the latter new plan was for a fair weaker central government. On the contrary it proposed for expansion of the powers of the existing continental congress. William Peterson claimed that the Virginia plan would deprive the small states equal voting power in the legislative branch of government. In three consecutive months, delegates made some compromises between the two antagonizing plans. Under this comprise, Congress was given authority on issues of commerce as well as defence (Constitutional Convention of 1787, n.d.). The Proposal to give the national government veto powers was declined or rejected. Congress was also denied power to regulate slave trade for 20 years as the minimum. Slaves were also given rights to vote.
The so-called Connecticut Comprise provided the mechanism or formula for determining the number of representatives of every state both in the United Senate as well as its House Representatives (The Constitutional Convention of 1787, n.d.). The final compromise was made in September (Constitution of the United States of America, n.d.).
Rag-Tag Army
The revolution war placed ill-equipped, ill-trained American continental and rag-tag army under the leadership of General Washington, against the well-equipped British Army. According to Savas (2006) Washington’s rag tag arm was not only ill-equipped but also short on food, clothing, and money to pay soldiers as well as medical supplies. The lack of money to pay soldiers was partially due to inability of Congress taxes from the states under the article of confederation. Despite these difficulties the rag-tag army and continental counter-parts succeeded in defeating their British army because of the various reasons including use of guerrilla tactics, stealing of British weaponry and support from foreign powers like French in terms of cash and weapons. For instance in attacking Britons in Boston, Washington’s forces used heavy weapons like cannons that the Patriots had earlier stolen from Fort Ticonderoga. They also employed Guerrilla tactics in this incident. On the 2 march 1976, Washington’s men Set up cannons and started bombarding Boston without the prior knowledge of the Britons. According to Bohannon (2004) the night attack on Boston was just a diversion as two days later a huge contingent of Washington’s men were sent to Dorchester heights, high grounds situated on the southern part of Boston overlooking the city of Boston. These spend the whole night establishing a network of fortifications. The major aim of this plan was to attack the British situated in the city from numerous positions after trapping them in the city. However, due to unavoidable circumstance the attack was called for another day. After seeing what had happed the previous night the British started leaving Boston before Washington could mount another attack.
While the delegates were busy debating the declaration of independent document by Thomas Jefferson, the British were busy massing their forces of the coast of New York under General Howe in anticipation to attack New York City. The plan of the British was to take control of Hudson River valley, the New York harbour and Ticonderoga. From the British’s perspective, the success of this would allow them take Massachusetts with ease and hence silence the rebellion. General Guy Carleton, who shared command with General Howe, was to attack from Canadian city of Quebec in the north and move south hence meet General Howe who was to attack New York and move north.
However, unknown to the British was that General Washington has anticipated for this kind of attack earlier, so he had relocated most of his soldiers to New York City. His troops had spent the whole of summer establishing a series of forts to protect New York from imminent invasion. This extensive network of forts build by Washington’s men surrounded the entire city of New York. In addition to these forts, Washington established two lines of defence on Long Island and another Island to the eastern part of Manhattan. Howe, Succeeded to stage a bold attack on New York by first landing his forces on Long island on the 22 of august 1976 by capitalizing on faults in Washington’s defence plan resulting in defeat of Americans and large losses of lives of Patriot Forces (Shelton,1 996). Instead of following his officers advice to pursue the American forces after the defeat Howe chose to the alternative. He ordered his forces to dig and wait. This gave General Washington and his men an opportunity to plan for new strategies. For instance this gave Americans soldiers an opportunity to escape from New York to New Jersey (Haven, 2000).
While Cornwallis was taking a rest and re-establishing his men in Chesapeake, York town in 1781, Americans were busy massing their forces on the outskirts of New York in preparation to attack it with the help of French forces. However, news of a French war ship headed towards the state of Virginia with French personnel forced Washington to abandon his New York plan and concentrate his efforts towards the Chesapeake. Realizing that he was trapped, Cornwallis requested for assistance from New York in vain and hence decided to surrender. The defeat of Cornwallis, the negative impact of this war on British economy and public pressure forced Britain to end this war and hence grant America independence. However, the end of the War did not result in immediate departure of British from USA as under the British Constitution the United States was still under the British Rule. Hence any immediate withdraw of British force would allow other foreign powers like Spain and France re-colonize it. This forced Britain to retain its military presence in the United States till a formal agreement was reached on the fate of its colony with the colony itself and other world Powers (Shelton, 1996).
The Paris Treaty
Following the defeat of British Commander of the Southern Command, Cornwallis, forced the British Government to vote to end the war hence forcing the British forces to leave the United States. This was followed by the signing of a trial peace agreement in between Britain and US in France’s capital city of Paris on November 1782 (Peace of Paris, n.d.). Two months following the signing of this trial peace agreement Britain formerly announced that it was to stop fighting permanently. But, a definitive peace treaty was necessary to guarantee peaceful existence between Britain and the United States of America. The 3 definitive agreements that would result in the final Paris Treaty were signed in September 1783 in the France. The first one was signed between US and Great Britain in Paris, the second agreement signed at the French city of Versailles between the British government and the French government and between the government of Great Britain and Spanish Government. To negotiate the terms and conditions of the treaty, the United States sent most of his most trusted diplomats: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay. The British were represented by Strachey and Oswald. In the original plan, the French were supposed to act as mediators between the two countries things changed with the American and Britons having a direct negotiation and subsequently signed the treaty in1782. Two major reasons are given for this outcome: mistrust of the French by Americans as well as the distraction of France by its conflict with Spain. Renehan (2007) points out that one of the American negotiators, John Jay, feared France might a separate with the Great Britain at his country’s expense to be in good terms with Spain one of France’s allies. Despite the signing of the Preliminary treaty of Paris between US and Britain, the threat would not be able to be ratified without an agreement between Britain and France. The government in Paris was not ready to sign an agreement with the Great Britain before Spain and Great Britain signed an agreement. However, the efforts by the French government were overcome by the American diplomat Franklin by pointing out to France that any attempt by the Vergennes government to undermine the British and American treat would make American fall back to Great Britain. On top of this, Franklin informed French government that Britain would wish to see them divided hence Vergennes government should reinforce what his country had achieved separately with her colonial master the Great Britain. France was convinced by Franklin’s argument and in turn convinced Spain to enter an agreement with Great Britain resulting in final ratification of the peace Treaty in 1783 (Renehan, 2007)
The treat was a ‘miracle’ because it achieved virtually every war aim as originally spelled out by the US Congress at the beginning of the war including fishing rights off Newfoundland in Canada, expansive borders and the assurance that British soldiers would eventually leave the United States soil. Another issue contained in the treaty was the requirement that the new republic was to treat loyalists fairly and guarantees to pay all creditors of Britain. The Western African state of Senegal was given to France and Florida to Spain. In simple terms the treat recognized all the areas to the Western part of Mississippi as part of the United States. This was one of the greatest achievements of the American negotiators in addition to the recognition of American independence by Britain (Paris peace, n.d.).
American Revolution
The American Revolution was a unique revolution in that it replaced a colonial government with an American government and introduced a constitution that many years later will be the model of a democratic society. This was unlike other revolutions that replace local government with new government. Following the American Revolution there was widespread of personal rights, liberty, zero tolerance against bribery and other forms of corruption as well as increased equality
Thomas Jefferson
Following the introduction of a resolution for independence on the 7th of June 1776 by Richard Lee, who was then a delegate representing Virginia at the Continental Congress, Thomas Jefferson, a lawyer from the state of Virginia was given the task of expanding Lee’s resolution hence making it a formal document. Jefferson spent several days and nights crafting Declaration for independence. He presented his final document to the Continental Congress which passed without much difficulty (Old, 1997).
Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams who lived between 1722 and 1803 is considered the father of the American Revolution. Most American considers him a patriot and he was well known to be an agitator. He was the force behind most protests and demonstration resulting in American Revolution, like the Boston Tea Party. He primary aim was to urge colonists to rise against Britain and fight for the own independence (Fradin, 1998).
Samuel was also a key leader of the Long Room Club, a secret club that worked towards the course of revolution. He was also a member of the Massachusetts Legislation. Adams did also serve in the constitutional Congress between 1774 and 1781 as well as the governor of Massachusetts between 1793 and 1797. He was the delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence (Fradin, 1998).
James Otis
James Otis who lived between 1725 and 1783 was one of the greatest ideological contributors to the initiation of American Revolution. He produced numerous articles that called for the independence of the United States as well as abolishment of enslavement of African Americans. As a lawyer and a representative of Boston in the House of Representatives he wrote several patriotic pamphlets. He was also a key participant in the 1765 Stamp Act protests. In responding to the newly introduced Townshend Act Otis wrote an article entitled ‘no one should be taxed without proper representation’ (Haven, 2000) like Paine his writings played a role in inspiring the patriots in their course.
Thomas Hutchinson
Thomas Hutchison lived between 1711 and 1780. He was known to be a stern supporter of the US colony master, The Great Britain especially after supporting both the Stamp and Sugars contrary to most Americans. Most scholars also point out that he supported the Townshend duties. As a colonial governor of the state of Massachusetts, Hutchison was known to ensure the stringent British rule on fellow citizens. In simple terms Hutchison contributed little if nothing to the course of American Revolution. On the contrary he is considered one of the greatest traitors in American history (Haven, 2000).
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine who was born in Great Britain and lived between 1737 and 1809 contributed immensely to the revolutionary course through his writings. According to Lanning (2008) Paine was one of the most vocal voices of the American Revolution. Thomas Pain is credited for writing the famous article ‘common sense’ that played a central role in agitating for Independence from Great Britain. This writing advocated for the need for total independence of the 13 colonies of the United States. These were distributed in various parts of the United States converting most loyalists and neutralists into patriots hence enhancing the course of revolution. Other works attributed to him and that played a central role in the course f the American Revolution include the Age of reason, American Crisis among others. These writings increased the morale of the Patriots and converted most loyalists and neutralist to patriotism. He is considered one of the greatest ideological contributors to the course of the United States Revolution.
References
Bohannon, L. F. (2004). The American Revolution. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publication.
Constitution of the United States of America. (n.d.).
Constitutional Convention of 1787.(n.d.). Web.
Fradin, D. B. (1998). Samuel Adams: the Father of American independence. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Haven K. F. (2000).Voices of the American Revolution: stories of men, women, and children who forged our nation. Westport, CT: ABC-CLIO.
Lanning, M. L. (2008).American Revolution 100: The Battles, People, and Events of the American War for Independence, Ranked by Their Significance. Chicago, IL: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Old, W. C. (1997). Thomas Jefferson. Springfield, NJ: Enslow. Peace of Paris (n.d.). Web.
Renehan, E. J. (2007). The Treaty of Paris: the Precursor to a New Nation. New York, NY: InfoBase Publishing.
Savas, T. J. (2006). A Guide to the Battles of the American Revolution. New York, NY: Savas Beatie LLC.
Shelton, H. T. (1996).General Richard Montgomery and the American Revolution: From Redcoat to Rebel. New York, NY: New York University Press.