RESPONSE PAPER ON AMERICAN REVOLUTION

- based on the episode “The Rebels“ from “America – Story of Us“ -

The term “American Revolution“ refers to a colonial revolt taking place from 1765 to 1783,
which is later going to lead to the proclamation of independence of the United States of
America. The first episode of the aforementioned documentary series tells us how it all began
and how life was being built there for about a century and a half before. As the years went by,
and cities developed further and further, together with the national conscience of Americans,
British imperialists wanted a bigger piece of the cake, and, about seven generations after the
first British settlers, created a powder keg, bound to explode in Boston, which was one of the
economic centers and richest cities. Even though greatly outnumbered, the residents were
ready to defend themselves and stand their ground.

The Brits were already established as the greatest colonial force in the world and they
certainly did not like the fact that one of their colonies was developing so quickly without
their supreme influence, and growing more and more independent. However, Americans
knew everything about their ancestors’ long and dangerous, death-ridden and sickness-
infested journey into a better life, and were resolved to fight. From the Boston Massacre in
March 1770 (resulting in 6 deaths), through the infamous Boston Tea Party (dumping of over
a million-dollar-worth tea, the only item on which the taxes were not revoked), which caused
the closing of Boston harbor, and, in turn, firing hundreds of people, to the First Colonial
Congress in Philadelphia (1774) where the unity of 13 American colonies was agreed on. The
solidarity was proved in the spring of the following year, when the first line of defense
against the impending charge of the British militia (made of about sixty local craftsmen and
tradesmen, near Concord, Massachusetts) was joined by more than a thousand people from
the surrounding villages, and, at least for a little while, managed to drive away the greatest
military superpower in the world, who was not going to surrender that easily.

This revolution paved the way for the so-called American democracy, which they consider
the cornerstone and the basic foundation of their country. It was completely justified, people
could not stand the shackles of colonialism any more, they fought for their freedom and paid
for it in blood. All the people who were brave enough to stand up against the imperialistic
tyranny and protect their families and properties should be remembered and respected.
Something changed along the way in the concept of this democracy, but that is a completely
different story.