AMF Essay

When we think of the founding Fathers, we think of true Americans. We often forget that they were really, loyal British citizens who loved their country, but wanted their voices heard, and their rights respected. Most colonists didn’t want to break away from their mother country, but Britain pushed and pushed until the Founding Fathers felt that it was necessary to declare independence. The American colonies were completely justified in their actions in their rebellion against the British Empire. Their government violated their natural rights including their life liberty, and property. Also violated Natural laws, precedent, as well as getting too involved in the economic system, to the point of hindering economic progress. When any government is not respecting the rights of its citizens, it is necessary to throw off that administration. The Founding Fathers only did what was right for themselves, their families, and the future generations.

            The first reason that the colonists were justified was because the British Government did not respect their natural rights. The primary right being life was violated at the Boston Massacre. Although, there was a mob that was messing with some soldiers, shooting eleven people was unnecessary, and thus stole the right to life from five people. The second of the natural rights is the right to liberty. King George like a sickness stole the voice of the people. He appointed jurors, changing the leaders from someone in the defense of the colonist to someone completely loyal to the king. Their right to Liberty was again infringed upon with the many acts that were passed. The colonists were not bothered by the idea of paying money to their country. The problem was that they were accustomed to voting on their taxes, and not being taxed without representation. Furthermore, the Britain, imposed on the right to freedom by not allowing the colonists to settle past the Appalachian Mountains, in this way they took away their right to live where they want. Property is the third of the natural rights; this was taken again with the many acts. They didn’t get to vote on these acts, as they were accustomed to. Essentially the government was stealing their property. Also the colonists were forced to house Soldiers, as well as provide food. The colonists would have been fine with supporting the soldiers if there was a need for them. But the French and Indian war was over and any problems that would happen with the Indians the colonists could have taken care of them. The colonist were angry that they could be forced to house soldiers without ever being asked permission first, as well as the fact that they were in a time of peace.

            Another reason that the colonists were correct in rebelling was that precedent was being broken. The colonists were used to slacker rules than the citizens living in England. The previous two kings were weak Kings and the Parliament was on good terms with the colonies. When King George III came to power he intended to bring power and nobility back to the throne. He made a lot of changes in the way things were run in the colonies. Previous to his rule the people elected the Legislative assemblies. All tax decisions were made by the colonial legislatures, the salary of the governor was chosen by legislation, the jury was made up of American colonists, and the colonial militia was their army. When King George III began to rule, everything changed. Taxing acts were passed and gave the people no voice. The salary was decided by Britain, in order to keep them loyal to Britain. The Colonial Militia was pushed aside and the people were forced to quarter soldiers. With all of these acts, Britain changed drastically and quickly the way that it taxed the people, and to justify this, they passed the Declaratory Act, stating that they can tax the colonists however they want.

King George III made it difficult to have economic success at this time, by imposing taxes on many goods, and even bailing out the British East Indian Company made it difficult for some colonists to compete with the prices. After the Boston Tea Party, Britain shut down the entire Boston, punishing the entire city and hurting their economy, based on the actions of a few people. The colonies were under the Navigation Act, which made it difficult for many colonists to make a living, because they could only buy and sell things to Britain. This kept many Americans from making a lot of money elsewhere. It is interesting; he imposed all of these taxes, and justified them by saying that the colonists owed Britain for protecting them during the French and Indian War. When in reality, Britain was protected the colonies as their asset, more than they were protecting the people as citizens of Britain.

             One may say that Britain had every right to tax the people, and every government does, but they need the consent of the people. Americans sent delegates to Britain, to argue their case, and they boycotted. They defended their rights for the most part peaceably. How long could one expect to have their rights denied, before they have no choice but to break away? The colonists did everything that they could, and they were ignored every time. They were as loyal as anyone should be to their country, but there are rights that everyone has, and deserves. If Britain had been more sympathetic towards the God-given rights of the people we probably wouldn’t have America today. Samuel Adams once said “I have long feared that this unhappy contest between Britain and America will end in rivers of blood; should that be the case, America, I think, may wash her hands in innocence”. We can see from this quote that the Founding Fathers weren’t looking for a fight; in fact Samuel Adams said that he “feared” it, but despite their fears they gave up so much to guarantee the rights of our nation today.