The birth of a nation
242 years ago today the Continental Congress issued its declaration of independence as the united States of America and a nation was born.
It was a violent birth that would last another 6+ years. Three percent of the citizens of this would-be nation armed with their personal weapons rose against the most powerful empire in the modern world.
They pledged their Lives, their Fortunes, and their sacred Honor to the establishment of a new sovereign nation that stood for their belief that all men are created equal and their birthright is certain unalienable rights. Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.”
“When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government.”
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
What happened?
- It all culminated in 1773 with the Sons of Liberty destroying a shipment of tea in Boston Harbor.
- Britain responded by closing Boston Harbor and passing a series of punitive measures against Massachusetts Bay Colony.
- Massachusetts colonists responded with the Suffolk Resolves, and they established a shadow government which wrested control of the countryside from the Crown.
- Twelve colonies formed a Continental Congress to coordinate their resistance, establishing committees and conventions that effectively seized power.
- British attempts to disarm the Massachusetts militia at Concord, Massachusetts in April 1775 led to open combat.
- Militia forces then besieged Boston, forcing a British evacuation in March 1776.
- On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted for independence, issuing its declaration on July 4.
- That Fall and Winter a British counter-offensive captured New York City in a series of battles, leaving American morale at a low ebb. However, victories at Trenton and Princeton restored American confidence.
- In 1777 the British launched an invasion from Quebec to isolate the New England colonies but were decisively defeated at Saratoga.
- The British mounted a “Southern strategy” which hinged upon a Loyalist uprising, but too few came forward.
- The British suffered reversals at King’s Mountain and Cowpens and retreated to Yorktown, Virginia, intending an evacuation. But a decisive French (ally) naval victory deprived them of an escape.
- A Franco-American army then besieged the British army and, with no sign of relief, they surrendered in October 1781.
- In early 1782, British Parliament voted to end all offensive operations in North America.
They also knew that it is human nature to tolerate injustices at the expense of liberty when we are accustomed to them, as long as they are sufferable.
“Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
An educated citizen is the most powerful form of government. I encourage you to read the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. They are powerful documents written by educated citizens in pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness.
Liberty above all else!
As Always,
Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared