The African Slavery and the Fight to Win Independence - Assignment Example

Precursors to the American Revolution: The African Slavery and the Fight to Win Independence Abstract Part of what makes America a great nation is revealed in how we gained our independence from Great Britain and our subsequent decision as a nation to abolish slavery. Yet, upon closer inspection of the rationale behind the American Revolution, as well as the incidents leading to it, it may not be right to call the actions of our forefathers justified. It is good that we Americans now posses freedom and we have shared it with our African American brothers. But we should realize that one of the greatest attributes of greatness is humility and owning fault in the mistakes that we may have had committed. Keywords: Slavery, American revolution Precursors to the American Revolution: The African Slavery and the Fight to Win Independence Question 1 Arguably, the most divisive political issue in American history has been slavery; understanding its evolution over time is key in helping to explain a significant portion of our nation’s past. Trace the path of slavery from its origins in early European colonization of North and South America to the time of the Constitutional Convention. How did the practice of African slavery begin? How and why did it expand in the 13 English colonies of North America? Finally, how was the issue of slavery impacted by the American Revolution? Slavery in Africa has existed even before the Arabian and the Atlantic slave trade. Owning of slaves is part of their culture and it was boosted by the Roman siege and influenced by Islam and other introduced as well as native religions (Lovejoy, 2012). But the start of African slavery in the American colonies is pegged at 1619, when the 1st African slaves docked in Virginia (Berlin, 2003). From Virginia, the practice of slavery spread to all 13English Colonies in North America. The slaves were used as laborers in cotton, sugar, and other plantations, household help, as well as skilled workers in the craft of carpentry, and welding among others. It was also a status symbol promoted by the government so as to quell the disparity of rich, land-owning Whites against the poor, land-less Whites. This move strengthened the foundation for racial slavery and racism (Wood, 2005). The American Revolution started the transformation in the attitudes of the colonial Whites towards slavery that will eventually lead in the abolition of slavery in January 01, 1863, with President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation. The newly freed “Americans” set freedom as one of its country’s undeniable virtues and with that, slavery must be put to an end. The presidential proclamation against slavery became the key to abolishing African slavery yet a considerable amount of time still passed between the enactment of the proclamation and the time when America was 100% slavery free because not all 13 states adopted the no-slaves policy right away (Berlin, 2005). Question 2 Why did the 13 Colonies revolt against their mother country, Great Britain? Explain. Do you think they were justified? What influenced their decision to move from fighting to defend their English liberties to fighting to win independence? There were several reasons that prompted the colonists to wage war against Britain. There was the issue of tariffs and duties, the increasing the number of British troops in the colonies, economic breakdown, political discord, rampant violence that were not mitigated by the British forces, and religious differences. The unrest and distrust of the majority of the commoners as well as the elite in America against the intentions and actions of the empire united the 13 colonies against Great Britain (Bonwick, 1991). For me, the war against Brittain was not really justified because Brittain at the start was a very good colonialist. The Empire allowed the colonies independence in trade and governance while providing protection and finances. The instigators of the war just wanted for Brittain to vacate their position of power early that is why they rallied the rest of the colonies into rebellion. It can be seen from the incidents that “sparked’ the revolution that the bloody war was really uncalled for: (Bonwick, 1991) The French and Indian War from 1754 to 1763. Britain won against the French forces yet the victory cost them greatly for they acquired tons of debt, forcing the Empire to collect bigger duties from the colonies. And with the French defeated, the colonies had no need of Britain’s direct protection anymore.   The 1763 Proclamation. Britain’s intention with this proclamation was not to harm the colonist, it was actually for security purposes so as not to aggravate the fighting between the Native Americans and the colonists. But, they (the colonists) took offence in not being allowed to make settlements beyond the Appalachian Mountains.   The Sugar Act of 1764. One of the mitigation strategies of Britain to compensate its debts. Duties on sugar imports from the West Indies were increased. The Currency Act of 1764. This banned the American assemblies from making and issuing paper bills or bills of credit because the British parliament suspected that colonial currency is causing the British trade to lose its economic value.  Samuel Adam’s Committees of Correspondence in 1764. Using letters, Him and the committee spread propaganda and information urging for revolution. The Quartering Act of 1765. Required that colonists take-in and feed British soldiers when in need.   The Stamp Act of 1765. This was a direct tax that Britain imposed on certain items and documents. The tax was intended to pay for the colony’s defense. This prompted 9 of the 13 states to meet in New York and draw a statement of rights and grievances. This coming together of the states was called the 1765 Stamp Act Congress. The Sons and Daughters of Liberty. A group formed in 1765 that took matters into their own hands. Colonist legislators passed non-importation agreements as a means of fighting back, and the Sons and Daughters of Liberty were the ones who enforced it by using methods such as tar and feathering.   Townshend Act of 1767. This law enforced taxes on goods like glass, paper and tea so that officials from the empire will be self-sufficient. However, smuggling became more rampant because of this tax so the British forces in Boston were increased. This led to the Boston Massacre in 1770, wherein 5 colonists died in the battle between the colonists’ and British troops. That event was used in propaganda to illustrate the cruelty of the Brits, though it was unclear how it actually started.   The Tea Act of 1773. Gave the British East India Company rights to monopolize the trade of tea in America. In retaliation, a group of colonists disguised themselves as Indians and threw tea shipments from aboard three ships docked in Boston. The event was called the Boston Tea Party thereafter.   British legislative action – the Intolerable Acts. In 1774, a series of acts were passed by the Parliament that outlawed town assemblies, and closed down the Boston Harbor in response to the Boston Tea Party. In response to this, 12 of the 13 colonies gathered at Philadelphia on September to October of 1774 to formulate plans on how to contradict the rule of the Brits. One of the fruits of this assemble was The Association that placed a embargo en all British goods.   Open Warfare. Come April of 1775, British troops were sent to Lexington and Concord to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock, both leaders of the revolution. They also were ordered to take control over the colonists’ gunpowder supply. - Lexington and Concord In April, British troops were ordered to Lexington and Concord to seize stores of colonial gunpowder and to capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Colonist and British force faced off at Lexigton leaving 8 Americans dead. But victory comes to the Americans at Concord where they killed 70 Brits that forced them to retreat.   The Second Continental Congress. In May of 1775, all 13 colonies met in Philadelphia in the hopes of appealing to King George III to hear their pleas. This meeting also elected into position George Washington as the Head of the Continental Army.  The Battle at Bunker Hill. The colonists held victory against the Brits in 1775. This grand victory prompted King George III to hold the colonies in rebellion. Britain really did not do anything to warrant such actions from the colonists. If the colonists were just patient, then the bloodshed resulting from the American Revolution would have been reduced. References Berlin, I. (2003) Generations of captivity. Harvard University Press. p.21-50 Bonwick, C. The American Revolution. (1991) University of Virginia Press. p.56-115 Lovejoy, Paul E. (2012). Transformations of Slavery: A History of Slavery in Africa. London: Cambridge University Press. p. 1-80 Wood, Betty. (2005). Slavery in Colonial America, 1619-1776. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 1-70 Read More