Colonial Unity, Pre Revolution
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Most of the first settlers in America came from England and considered themselves to be Englishmen. At first they relied on their mother country for money, supplies and protection. As the colony became larger and more populous, people gradually started feeling as if they were a separate nation. By the eve of the Revolution, the colonists were beginning to think like Americans and be unified towards a common goal.
America just after the French and Indian war greatly lacked unity. Colonists saw that if they wanted to succeed as a nation they had to come together and become one. Once England began to unfairly tax and restrict the colonies colonists began to show rebellion towards the crown. Americans began to make their own goods to sell within the country. This just increased the unity in the colonies. Colonists were ready to protect their land from anyone who threatened their freedom.
As America grew closer to the Revolution they progressively developed their own identities and culture.
The Albany Plan of Union, even though was never successful, it still introduced the idea of one unified state. The Albany Plan provided for a federal union of the mainland colonies under the British Crown. This unified government would have the power to make peace or war, and have financial and command responsibility. The plan never went far because most of the individual colonies wanted to keep their independence and were afraid of a strong central government. However it set an example and was a model for the idea of one unified state.
British restrictions greatly angered the colonists. The imposed taxes and acts cause much resentment. The people were also very angry that they are being governed by a country so far away but still dont get represented. (Document B)
Because of these restrictions and this anger, the colonists became more united. Document A is a piece of propaganda that says if the colonists dont unite then they will be completely controlled by the British and have no more freedom left.
Document C is another example of the angry colonists. In the letter it calls the Parliament “wicked”. He favors complete dependence from Britain.
Some colonists did not want independence and would rather be under British rule. They called these loyalists “Torries” and had the idea that if we ran