America's Identity on the Eve of Revolution

In order to be able to detach themselves from England, colonists in America needed to unite and fight together, and see themselves not only as citizens of their individual colonies, but as Americans. Before the eve of revolution, British were still very involved in the American lifestyle and there was no unity within the nation; colonists viewed themselves as citizens of their own colonies. However, after the numerous acts imposed by England, more Americans became frustrated with the Crown and wished to break apart from the tyranny. Patriotic Americans began to form amidst the British colonists. They attempted self-governing, which knitted the colonies closer together, and plotted attack and uprisings against the British as a unit of Americans. Despite the fact that many colonists were rebelling against the King, many Americans were Loyalists, and to add to that, most were undecided. These people were in conflict with the Patriots. Therefore, although the groups of attitudes like Loyalist and Patriot were united groups in thought, America itself had not yet reached any common identity or unity on the eve of revolution.

Patriots were united in their attitudes and rage against others. One of the first visible steps toward unity for the Patriots was the French and Indian War. After the war, the salutary neglect policy ended and the British raised taxes to pay for the aftermath of the war. Both of these effects of the war had a toll on the general American attitude toward the British, leading toward major colonial tension and a common enemy for the colonies that helped nationalism and an American identity form. The Proclamation of 1763 had the same effect and led to the colonies working together. The Navigation Laws passed by Parliament in 1650 angered colonists, as did the Sugar Act and Stamp Act of 1764 and 1765. The Townshend acts placed taxes on items like glass, lead, tea, and paper, and the revenues funded the royal governors. The Tea Act led to a rise in smuggling as Americans attempted to get tea to America without it being taxed, until Britain sent in troops to stop them. The rising tensions led to the Boston Massacre in 1770. This event further fanned the flames of rebellious and nationalist attitudes in America. All of these events led to greater tension in the colonies and a common cause for the colonies to unite for.

These events were all justifiable reasons for colonists to be angry with the Crown, but just how angry were they? Patrick Henry said, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” (Henry). This passage shows how Patriots viewed the Crown’s actions. Patriots saw these actions as so detestable that they compared them to slavery. Henry felt that with all the suffering America was going through, he would rather have died than have not