The Olive Branch Petition Analysis

For starters, the American Revolution was waged as a war of last resort because the colonists could not execute any more plans to make truce with Britain peacefully. The principle of last resort states that a war can only be waged after all the peaceful options are considered and force must be conducted as the last alternative. In the “Olive Branch Petition”, John Dickinson, a representative of the colonists wrote: “We therefore beseech your Majesty, that your royal authority and influence may be graciously interposed to procure us relief from our afflicting fears and jealousies, occasioned by the system before-mentioned, and to settle peace through every part of our Dominions, with all humility submitting to your Majesty’s wise consideration, whether it may not be expedient, for facilitating those important purposes, that your Majesty be pleased to direct some mode, by which the united applications of your faithful Colonists to the Throne, in pursuance of their common counsels, may be improved into a happy and permanent reconciliation; and that, in the mean time, measures may be taken for preventing the further destruction of the lives of your Majesty’s subjects; and that such statutes as more immediately distress any of your Majesty’s Colonies may be repealed.” (Dickinson, John). As inscribed in the “Olive Branch Petition” the colonists’ will was not to detach from Great Britain but to maintain union and peace. Throughout the entire plea, the colonists disclose their

In 1794, British actions had almost led to an American declaration of war against the British. Instead of going to war, the American government decided to send John Jay as a representative to negotiate an agreement with the British over the disputed

My service to the army at Valley Forge is soon ending.I have decided to re-enlist for three reasons which are: Hope, the army needs me, and for my family and the hope of surviving. The event that caused this whole war to occur were the protesting and the Boston Tea party that happened in 1773. I felt that the Boston Tea Party was a right and wrong decision when it happened because we should not use violence to cooperate with our “enemies”, we should use reason. Even though the British kind of deserved that protest. Also the Declaration of Independence caused the war by angering the British in 1776.

These boycotts against British shipping were the best manner for the colonists to demonstrate their distain for British rule. In Virginia, the boycott of the ports was a significant move that ultimately pushed the citizens in the area towards independence. The other cause that pushed the gentry to revolution stemmed from the unforeseen consequences of their boycott of British shipping. This would result in their protests of 1774 turning into the revolutionary movement of 1775 up until the Treaty of Paris in 1783 that ended the war, giving independence to the United States (Holton xviii). Referred to as Non-exportation, this protest was directly against the Coercive Acts that Parliament adopted for the colonies (Holton 124).

After Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress didn’t pursue independence, but they did select George Washington as the military commander. From April 1775 to July 1776, many colonists were confused for their feelings of independence; some colonists wanted to mend differences, while others wanted to fight Britain. The British fought back hard and strong by burning down towns and attacking the colonists. Thomas Paine’s book, Common Sense, argued that the colonists out grew the need for any English rule and they should be given independence. Finally, Thomas Jefferson was appointed to create a draft of the Declaration of Independence, and it was approved by Congress on July 4, 1776.

Claire Turner American History Test I The American Revolution The Second Continental Congress declared independence from Great Britain in 1776 because they were being treated with unfair and unjust taxes and laws. The Second Continental Congress was a representation of the colonists and colonies as a whole, to Britain. In the beginning of the Congress the majority wanted to stay loyal to “The Crown,” and make peace with it. However, there were already those few who were ready to take drastic measures to relieve themselves of the British rule. One colony in particular that stands out as taking the leading role in the independence of America is Massachusetts, for they received the true wrath of Great Britain.

In 1775, America was under the control of Great Britain. Many people were oblivious to the fact that we were under control, while other people thought it was time to break free and gain independence. Among these people was Patrick Henry, who was a huge advocate for colonial independence. In his speech at the Virginia convention, Patrick Henry argues to forcefully persuade the audience to go to war with Great Britain and pushes for the use of military action by using figurative language, rhetorical devices, and organization, and by confronting them with their current position of danger in the face of the inevitable British invasion. First, one of Patrick Henry's tools to persuade the audience to go to war with Great Britain and push for the

The Declaration of Independence (1776) was written to state the grievances of the American colonists and to declare their movement for independence from Great Britain. By doing so , Jefferson informs the public of their intentions, in hope to find some support for their independence by striking a chord in issues that other nations may also have. In his historical essay, The Declaration of Independence, in order to demonstrate Thomas Jefferson uses negative connotations, syllogisms, and anaphora in order to demonstrate the discontent of the American colonists with British sovereignty, and the events that led to their desire for a new government run by the people for the people in order to justify colonial independence. Thomas Jefferson’s implements negative connotations in order to appeal to the logic present throughout human history, that people are born free and have the right to do what makes them happy. In the second paragraph of the document, Jefferson argues, “To prove this, let facts be submitted...” Here the connotation presented by the word fact is a form of authority and credibility, which functions to attempt to persuade the reader that what is being stated is a solid reason for their dissatisfaction with the

When British immigrants first moved to America they were loyal to the British monarchy.However, in the 1750s the loyalty between the American colonies and Great Britain declined duetaxes and polices being imposed to pay of war debts from the French and Indian war. Thesepolices caused rebellions and uprisings, and ultimately led to American Revolution and thecreation of this country.Following immediately after the French and Indian war. Britain needed a way to pay offwar debt fast several acts were passed to control the colonies, the first act that was passed wasthe Proclamation of 1763. It was meant to put the colonists in their “places”, it forbid any type ofsettlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. This really upset the colonists.

Such cruelty outraged even those moderate colonists who held out hope for reconciliation with Britain. King George III rejected the Congress Olive Branch Petition in August 1775 which pushed more colonists toward independence. The final step required for colonist to accept the fact that independence from Britain was necessary came from Thomas Paine. He publicized the Common Sense pamphlet January 1776. This pamphlet made a vigorously argued case for independence.

I believe that the colonists fired the first shot of the revolutionary war. This is proven by the evidence that states that the British didn 't plan ahead to specifically target the colonists. Though, the Colonists purposely targeted the British. In the diary entry of Lieutenant John Barker, there was evidence to the British intentions of their traveling. It remarks, “... And at length proceeded on our way to concord which we then learnt was our destination, in order to destroy a magazine of stores there.”.

The incident of Lexington and Concord was a catalyst that started the movement of the colonies wanting independence. The battle of Bunker hill unified the colonies more towards independence from the king and began the beginning of the loyalists and the patriots. As the American colonist heard about these battles they faced major decision should they join the rebels or remain loyal to Britain? The day before the battle of Lexington and Concord the colonists had information and intelligence that the british army was heading for Lexington and Concord. “The British are coming.” (Paul Revere) the reason the British were coming was to arrest, disarm and stop the rebels.

Normally, in a revolution, a government is overthrown and replaced by another type of government. An example of a revolution is the American Revolution, in which the British monarchy got rejected by the colonists in the Thirteen Colonies. From the rejection, it resulted in a war in which the Thirteen Colonies uprised against the British. Both argued over a disagreement about the way the colonies wanted to be treated versus the way Great Britain treated the colonies. Ultimately, the idea of equality among the people and government became a major concern.

In the beginning initially, he begins telling us why the colonies wanted to consider themselves as independent and overthrow their British ruler. Thomas Jefferson wanted to secure the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If these rights were ever taken away or violated then the people do have a choice to fight for it and have the possibility of overthrowing the ruler. They should be able to change it and make it so they feel they are more safe and content