The Major Developments in the Rise of Democracy in America - Essay Example

THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RISE OF DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA (1765-1787) The period between 1765 and 1787 was a very important period in the rise of democracy in the American history. The nascent country experienced a number of teething problems that was characterized by gradual widening of the democratic space. The rise of democracy was ignited by the objection by the Americans towards allegiance to the English rule. It led to break up of war between the Americans and the United Kingdom troops but the ultimate results were victory for Americans, independence was declared and the constitutional changes were developed. The America Revolution took place between 1765 and 1783 characterized a big part of this period. Another characteristic feature of this period was the American revolutionary war of 1775 to 1783. The incidences that took place during this period saw a rise in the democratic space of the Americans. Opposition to the British rule was a key pillar in the fight for democracy in America. In 1765, George Grenville, the British Prime Minister spearheaded the adoption of stamp duty where all documents were required to have a stamp and the duty paid. This incited the people to begin objecting the British rule. In order to fight for their democratic rights, a group called Sons of Liberty was formed, it used various strategies to object the taxes that were being imposed on the Americans. They used to demonstrate in the streets, became violent, as well as made several threats to the government. In addition, they aired their grievances to the monarch to have the tax laws done away with. Their voices were heard when the group opted to invade the home of Thomas Hutchinson, the chief justice as well as looting and burning records in the vice-admiralty court. This development saw a step being made towards democracy, the Declaration of Rights and Grievances was enacted. Further, there was a consensus that the stamp tax be repealed. However, the parliament was to remain the sovereign authority as provided in the Declaratory Act of 19661. Legislations catapulted the rise in democracy, the Americans felt that the legislations were harsh on them. The passing of a bill that saw increment in taxes of basic commodities made the colonists to boycott British goods. In 1768, British troops were sent to Boston where they were to contain the riots that had ensued. Some individuals were killed in the process, an incidence that resulted to growing resentment of the British rule by the state of Massachusetts2. The parliament acted again by withdrawing all the imposed taxes except that of tea. The race to democracy was also facilitated by the efforts of Samuel Adams who created the Committee of Correspondence that provided a common forum for all the patriots in thirteen states to launch rebellion against the colonial rule. This committee came out as a strong force that resisted the British actions. Various groups such as the committee of correspondence as well as individuals such as Thomas Jefferson facilitated the rise of democracy in America. The parliament enacted four laws (Intolerable acts) that facilitated the rebellion. The Massachusetts’ Government act provided that made restrictions to the how meetings were to be conducted, this was an effort to suppress the activities of the committee. Another law was the Boston Port Act that provided that the port be closed until adequate compensation was done due to the tea that had lost through the port. The Administration of Justice Act provided guidelines on the trial of British soldiers. Finally, the Quartering Acts gave rights for governors to house British troops in citizen’s houses without their consent. All these laws were for the interest of the colonialist while attempting to suppress every rebellion that came up3. Responding to the laws developed by the colonial government, various strategies were developed by the colonists. Despite the policies developed, the Americans were focused on their rights. In Massachusetts, a shadow government was formed besides the issuance of the Suffolk Resolves. In addition, they began training their own soldiers in secret. To complement these efforts was the 1774 First Continental Congress that resolved to resist any tax imposed to them. The Massachusetts militia began engaging the colonialists in warfare in 1775 and was joined by other patriotic forces. They engaged the British troops in warfare where there were several deaths reported as well as a number of casualties. The extended their conquest to Canada where the Americans exhibited massive success. Under the leadership of George Washington, the army commander the Britons were pushed out of Boston4. The conquest bore fruits and the Americans had some democratic space. However, that was not all, the journey to democracy continued. The states began drafting their constitutions and one by one, they began to have self-rule, away from the influence of the colonialists. On 2 July 1776, a vote on independence was done and passed. Thomas Jefferson took the initiative of drafting the Declaration of Independence that was amended and accepted by the Congress. This landmark declaration saw a historic development that was the birth of the United States of America has a democratic and sovereign country. The approval of the country’s constitution was done in the Second Continental Congress; this provided the laws that would govern the nascent nation. The ratification of the provisions of the states’ merger was done in 1781 leading to the dissolution of the Continental Congress, which was replaced by the United States in Congressional Assembled5. Despite the declaration of independence, the battle was not yet won. General Washington suffered a defeat in Brooklyn despite having conquered the British troops in Boston6. However, the British though not content with the declaration of independence initiated negotiations to end hostilities, the first step was the Staten Island Peace Conference that bore little fruit. The signing of the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce marked the acceptance of America by France as an independent nation. This greatly weakened the British position since the French combined forces with the Congress. The Spaniards and the Dutch allied to the French, this forced the British army to push southwards. A peace treaty to end the war was signed in 1783. After the war ceased and the constitutions developed, there was need to embark on growing the democratic space further. The articles of Confederation run the national government. Having been weakened by war and having massive debts made the government to face insurmountable challenges. Despite the challenges, nationalists such as Washington and Alexander Hamilton organized strategies to help the country get out of its knees. They successfully convinced the Congress that to have the Philadelphia Convection that saw the development a new constitution that strengthened the federal government, it was ratified the following year. This took place in 1787 and later on the provisions of the new government allowed George Washington to be the first president of the independent federal government of the United States. These landmark events contributed to the development the growth of democracy in United States7. Bibliography Schneirov, Richard and Fernadez, Gaston, A. Democracy as a Way of life in America; A History. New York: Routledge, 2014. Read More