Uncommon good Sense-Our founding history Part I

The period surrounding the American Revolution was a time of tremendous creativity and innovations. Clearly, something was waiting to be born.

Thomas Paine, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison mapped strategy, forged consensus, picked unproven talents such as Lafayette and John Paul Jones. They among others made crucial decisions and daring choices.

Through intimidating, out maneuvering, and outsmarting the British, As well as Benjamin Franklin's private mission to Paris in search of a strategic alliance, these men faced challenges and dissension in their own ranks with an enlightened vision from which they would not stray.

It was a time of great change. There was anxiety among the masses, dissent would soon turn to action and a spark of fire is all it would take.

As tempers and passions began to rise the American people became something of a volcano waiting to erupt. Just one major quake was necessary to set them off. And Great Britain provided that catalyst with imposition of a series of new oppressive government decrees. Thus, sparks for a fire.

"A free born people are not required to submit to tyranny!"
Citizens of Marlborough Massachusetts, 1774

The spark of fire that would eventually burn around the world began in the so called New World in the thirteen American Colonies. The people of the colonies were people that for the most part had been born into the freedom that the New World and its distance from Europe afforded. The rest were seeking a better life than they had experienced in Europe. By the mid eighteenth century, all colonies had become members of the British Empire. Due to the geographic location, along with the wisdom of Old Ding George II, Americans were pretty much allowed to run their own affairs.

Philadelphia, with a population of 34,000, was the second largest in overseas British Empire. New York had a population of 22,000 and Charleston with 10,000. Because the Americans were prolific producers of goods, They had a dynamic and prosperous economy. America was famous for its "ragged currency". So named because it changed hands frequently.

HOWEVER, FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE WAS ON THE WAY.

George III, at the age of twenty two, ascended to the throne of Great Britain in 1760, American autonomy was significantly disrupted. The King immediately set out to establish his power and influence over Americans, with no respect for the culture or individuals that were already in place. King George III attempted to impose his will and personal values on a proud and fiercely independent people.

One of the Britain governments moves against the colonies was to establish the Revenue Act of 1764 (Sugar Act). This Act imposed a duty(tax) on American imports of molasses and limited distribution to and from the West Indies to America. The effect was devastating. The colonies immediately united and sent out numerous protestations to London-all of which fell on deaf ears.

Britain was now threatening their very livelihood and Liberty.

And that was a different matter altogether.

END OF PART I

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