Declaration of Independence

We are finally free! For so long we “indulge[d] in the illusions of hope.”(Patrick Henry, Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death, 1775) We pretended as if it wasn’t happening, when in reality it was right in front of us. With past experiences, it was seen that the British didn’t have what was best for us in mind, but what was best for them. All their actions showed they were ready for war, which shows that they brought this whole incident on themselves. We were respectful with our approach at first, but after going so long without being heard, our approach needed to be changed. We are invincible when we all come together for the cause of liberty. And this was displayed through our determination for freedom. Great Britain’s motives were always of “interest not attachment.”(Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776) Great Britain never protected us from our enemies, but from her enemies. When we were in the Seven Years War with the Indians, they never once came over to help and protect us. But once we were at war with France, who is one of her enemies as well, Great Britain had no problem coming over to defend us. France never was our enemy, “but as our being the subjects of Great-Britain.” If Britain supposedly was our mother country, and yet she still put us through hell, then damn her! I’m glad we’re no longer under her jurisdiction. America’s future is now looking very promising.

Henry, Patrick. Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death. March 23, 1775.

Paine, Thomas. Common Sense. 1776.

Coercive Acts

Why would they close our ports! They must want us to rebel even more. They’re forcing us to a point where we have no choice. How dare they tax us and then have the audacity to block our harbor with their ships! They want us to perish from cold and hunger. Some mother country they are! They don’t care about our well being. They only care of their own wealth. What else is a justification of them treating us so harshly? We provide most of their resources and wealth. And they thank us in return with this. Us dumping their tea in the harbor does not compare to all they’ve put us through. They are degrading us! I hope this shows all the other colonists who weren’t sure whose side they were on, that the British Empire doesn’t even want them. This only fuels our fire! Are we supposed to be scared into submission?! I think not! They want us to stay divided, but if we unite there will be no way they can diminish our spirits of liberty. Our problems in Boston are not only ours, but everyone’s, when they realize it will only be time until all this is effecting them as well.

Circular Letter of the Boston Committee of Correspondence; May 13, 1774.

Boston Tea Party

It’s about time this happened. We have been thinking about this for a very long time. If I must say so, the British Empire brought this upon themselves. What a glorious thing seeing their tea in the harbor. It’s the start of a liberation for us. They have oppressed us more and more over the past decades, and now we’ve had enough. How brilliant of us to dress up as Indians and sneak upon their ships! They are so unaware, unconscious and ignorant that we were unrecognized. It’s their fault that they didn’t think anything of Indians going on their ships. How smart do you have to be to see some people going on to your ships and not think something of it? We have been discontent and it was only a matter of time. Now that the deed is done, power is in our hands. We shall not submit and are ready to defend our honor if need be. This is the first step towards independence. Our actions influenced others to do the same having their own “tea parties” along the coast of the Atlantic, unifying colonists from different backgrounds. Essentially, making us all the same.

Stark Draper, Allison. The Boston Tea Party: Angry Colonists Dump British Tea. The Rosen Group, 2000.