The American Revolution Claim

America has been built upon the ideals of justice, liberty and hard work and has proceeded through history as a glorified nation that is presently unstoppable. The reality of our country’s origin, however, is very misguided in a way. The actual events of our history are very often censored and transformed like a Photoshoped image of a model; pretty, flawless and not showing the slightest bit of weakness or scandal. “America is perfect in every way, shape or form!” some might exclaim, but to an individual who has driven into the very depth of the Revolution and understands the actual concepts and motives behind the uprising itself will see through these clean lines and see the truth. For the reason of censorship, it is my official claim that America was built as a means of the rich colonial leaders, now called founding fathers, gathering more wealth through independent trade and exporting as well as establishing a government that would keep the common people and the poor in their respectable classes and keep the wealthy in power.

            In order to fully understand the origin of the revolution, we must look back to earlier conflicts within the colonies. Bacon’s rebellion was a strike against the government in protest to the westward expansion regulations against Native American engagement. Overall the rebellion was a failure but it was the very first attempt at overthrowing the government as a means of gathering more property and wealth, all orchestrated by a well to do leader, Francis Bacon. This would later serve as an example to future leaders who desired the profits of independence. At the end of the French and Indian war, Britain was in a considerable amount of debt for protecting its American colonists from invasion. This called for an increase of taxes that were very necessary for revitalizing the British economy. The immediate response from the colonists was anger and protest to the increase in taxes such as the stamp act and the raised tea prices. Granted, there was no direct representation from the colonists in parliament concerning taxation but we have to consider the fact that Britain was in a form of economic crisis after the war and quickly needed to draw funds in order to pay off war debts. I personally feel that the steadfast action of taxing the colonists was justified considering the fact that Britain had just saved the colonists from possible invasion. It is around this time that the rich colonial leaders saw the opportunity arise to launch revolution to form a new, more profitable nation of a never changing political system.

Originally, the colonies’ economic revenue was achieved through the large plantations in the southern colonies (of course the actual success was caused by the free labor of African slaves). The colonial leaders then saw fit to gain more economic benefits by using the taxes impressed by the British forces as an excuse to revolt against parliament. The taxes were a positive benefit to the leaders who used this as a means of gaining colonial support and possibly organizing a militia as collateral for battling Britain. The westward expansion acts were also put into effect in order to provide Native Americans with the land that they deserved to settle upon. According to Edwardo Galeano, “The thirteen colonies are hungry for the west. Many pioneers dream of taking off over the mountains, with rifle, ax and a handful of corn as baggage.” I think that was an attitude that was shared amongst not only pioneer colonists but the entirety of the American public, particularly the upper class.

Utilizing popular figures of respect and admiration such as Patrick Henry (who according to Ray Rafael did not even make the actual Liberty or Death speech written by a man named William Wirt in 1817), Thomas Jefferson, was an advocate for the equality of all men while at the same time an owner of many slaves, and Benjamin Franklin who did absolutely nothing to the contribution of American revolution save for a few relatively useless inventions as far as uprising goes. The way the colonists viewed the input of these figures was generally positive and in some ways awe inspiring because it was a symbol that all Americans can collaborate together no matter whom they are and fabricate a better country together. This was a calling to all colonists and turned the nation into a strong bonding force to establish liberty and democracy. In reality, however, the self appointed leaders of the revolution were using propaganda such as the Liberty or Death speech or A Speech to the House of Burgesses as a means of creating a wave affect that would turn even the most sensible people into loyalist hating patriots. In some instances, loyalists, often referred to as Tories, were even stripped, tarred and covered with feathers as a means of humiliation. This shows that the levels of American entitlement were extremely high and in 1775, the Boston “Massacre” was just enough to push the entire nation into revolt.

It wasn’t until a year later when the Declaration of Independence, (which had obvious contradictions as far as equality was concerned with African Americans and women) was signed and the action of the colonial leaders plan was set into motion. By war’s end, the nation was unified and a central government was formed as a so called democracy. However, through a clever formation of the American Constitution and self appointment of presidency and high official positions, the nation was actually a republic that had the ability to keep the rich in power while keeping the rest of the nation politically happy and patriotic. All throughout history, this form of government has not failed and continues to run today. One can argue that for the sake of efficiency this political action is necessary but it is difficult to call a nation democratic if only the highest of society can truly cast a vote and have enough power for it to make any difference. Should we be as patriotic as our media and history books proclaim us to be? I say no for the reason that as bias a nation as we truly are we cannot leave any at all decisions or feelings to a system that is based on a controlling and even anti-American base.