Jacob Williams
AMH2010
American Revolution Paper
Through a bloody and destructive time- although some could argue heroic
and prodigious- The Revolutionary War, commonly known as the American
Revolution, lasted from 1775 to 1783 and impacted life as we grew to know it as it
is now. Bloody skirmishes between Great Britain and its 13 North American
colonies lasted those years, but with aid from France, Spain, and the Netherlands in
support against Great Britain, within the hard-fought battles, victory arose, and the
independence and establishment of the United States of America came to be. And
although all material we are given is on higher elites who were actually around to
make impact within the revolutionary time period, taking it in from my own
perspective might help gain a better understanding for the subject as a whole.
Putting into retrospect of my viewpoint, I’m currently an American citizen,
22 years of age, Caucasian male, born and raised within the middle class and no
disabilities at hand. Within the time period of 1775 and the current reality of my
Dad having ownership over a business, odds are before the revolutionary war
started, I would not be working at a bar as I do now but rather my father’s
business. My father would not be installing flat screen televisions or setting up
home theaters with surround sound as he does for a living now but would have
ownership in some sort of tradeable goods and service such as agriculture and
farming, candle-making, blacksmithing or gunsmithing, or even being a
seamstress. No matter the work, we would be doing so to provide for the rest of the
family. Though, when the time finally comes for me to be enlisted, as my age and
ableness would aid well within the war, I would choose fighting against Great
Britain and for independence, as the American Revolution Institute states, “Our
independence, our republic, our national identity and our commitment to the high
ideals that form the basis of our political order are not simply the consequences of
the Revolution to be embalmed in our history books. They are living legacies of
the Revolution, more important now, as we face the challenges of a world
demanding change, than ever before.” Why the American Revolution Matters.
In the case that I do decide to enlist, I would choose the side of the colonial
militiamen, in hopes I would be able to become a spy and provide for not only the
colonists, but my family as well. In light of a spy, they are more often than not feat
with treacherous tasks, sometimes even murderous, all in provides for intel on the
opposing Great Britain. Intel needed for the militiamen about Great Britain and its
allies included whereabouts and number of supplies and troops in given areas and
intended plans to attack or march on us, their enemy. With this great risk they ask
of me if I do become spy, I will demand also a great reward from doing so for my
family as well as myself. I would require two pieces of land, one for the family and
the other for myself, as well as support with food and shelter until we are settled
within the new homes and can provide our own. While I’m out in service to the
colonies, my father will remain home to provide for the family. If things were to go
south for me, I would want only one casualty for my family, not the loss of two.
Not to mention, at the times of the 1770’s, my mother would be staying home to
take care of the house duties as this is her main responsibility while my father is
working.
I would choose the side in support of the rebel against Great Britain, as from this
comes the life, liberty, and property we have now been blessed with and proved
protected to us. From the revolutionary war, came the Declaration of Independence
in 1776, in which Thomas Jefferson wrote: “We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness: That to secure these rights Governments are instituted among men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any
form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people
to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on
such principles and organizing its power in such form as to them shall seem most
likely to effect their safety and happiness.” Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of
Independence. This document laid down the base of universal truths for our
independent nation we are able to live in today The American Revolution helped in
the creation of national identity for the United States and helped 13 different
colonies unite in support of independence, despite the oppositions and
disagreements of the past.
It should be noted that “for more than a decade before the outbreak of
the American Revolution in 1775, tensions had been building between colonists
and the British authorities.” History.com, American Revolution. Through all the
bloodshed and lives lost within the years of the American Revolution, it’s safe to
say I would choose to enlist to fight against Great Britain not only due to my
wellness in health and ableness, but also to serve my country at the time, knowing
I’d be making an impact on the future of the United States lifespan. I would be
providing for and making my family proud, achieving substantial self-satisfaction
and independence for the nation all at the age of 22.