The Rebellious Colonies That Were the Nucleus of our Freedom

A lot of this sounds familiar. Even today’s current political climate mirrors that of what happened in our history. The only thing many agreed on was we wanted to be free. People have a natural yearning to do that. Those involved in this didn’t see the option of freedom as an intellectual discussion. It was life or death with a British army facing you. Force was used then and the threat of it keeps aggression down.

Human beings crave freedom

The story behind the Declaration July 1776 dealt with discussion, disagreements and compromise so it’s essential that all voices can be heard. John Adams from the Massachusetts delegation might be the biggest figure in this fight. Thomas Jefferson dubbed Adams “our colossus on the floor.”

Adams was a great attorney and debater. He saw the only way to go was to declare our independence from the British crown period. New England delegates were already at war so they understood the need. The ‘shot heard round the world’ were New Englanders bearing the brunt of the British forces.

Fighting for their freedom

Boston was at war before everybody else. Adams’ wife Abigail could hear the thunder of the confrontation from their home in Braintree, MA while Adams was in Philadelphia.

The people’s hearts and minds were on the war. In 1775 there was only talk, no action, in the Continental Congress. Declaring independence would be a huge, irreversible act that would require a unanimous vote. It was high treason that would be punished by death. The New England men understood this. The question was convincing others of what needed to be done.

Everybody needed to be brave enough for freedom

In 1775 it wasn’t unanimous. The Continental Congress was divided three ways. There were the Tories that opposed it. There were people who were too timid to speak up so they just bowed out. And then there were the New Englanders who were beyond ready to be free. Those who wanted independence in 1775 were the minority. The delegates from six colonies were even told not to vote for freedom at all.

Middle colonies and parts of the south didn’t want it. Philadelphia had a strong Tory and pacifist Quaker influence so they didn’t want any war. For them, George III was a good king although distant and not responsive. The New Englanders were the riff raff. But this changed when the Virginia governor ordered Norfolk bombarded. The ones to watch were suddenly at war. Virginia was the oldest and wealthiest and not as likely to do this. There was no turning back when John Dickinson wrote a groveling letter to the king. The king didn’t even look at it and considered the letter to be a case of rebellion. It was on.

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