Colonial America

When people think of America, they think freedom. They think of a place where there’s opportunity to succeed and prosper. However, they don’t question whether it has always been this way. The America we know today is built on the determination and perseverance of those who settled here long ago; those who saw their situation as unjust and took action to change it. The American Revolution highlights the most courageous act taken by humans to break away and begin their own journey.
Colonists settled in the Thirteen Colonies, living under British rule. Relations between the mother country and the colonies were strained from the beginning. After aiding Britain in a victory that granted them what is now present day America, the colonists were restrained by Britain passing the Proclamation of 1763. This restricted colonists from moving further west, but created resentment by the colonists towards Britain. Unbeknownst to the colonists, they had yet to see the full force of Britain’s power.
While the colonists were beginning to experience life in a new way, Britain was intent on remaining in control. They imposed many taxes on the colonists in order to raise money to pay off debts and keep British troops in America. The reaction was nothing short of rebellion. Colonists ignored, boycotted, and even turned to violence in opposition to the unfair acts they were subject to. The power Britain had over the colonists ignited a passion to break away from them.
The British tried to enforce their power by repealing and passing new acts, but the colonists knew they weren’t benefiting by any of this. After years of being under Britain’s intolerable rule, the colonists, with the help of radicals such as Samuel Adams who were determined enough to take action, and moderates, such as George Washington who were rational in achieving independence, the colonists became more prepared and motivated to take a stand against the ones who had ruled them for over a decade. Lexington and...