The Moving Forces of the American Revolution

The Revolutionary War was an insurrection by American Patriots in the thirteen colonies to British rule, resulting in American independence. The American Revolution not only remains revolutionary because of its bringing of a self-government civilization to Britain, but The Sons of Liberty and their actions, The French & Indian War and how it ended, and Benedict Arnold switching to the British side still had a great impact on The American Revolution.

The Sons Of Liberty had a major part in The American Revolution. They were the masterminds behind the Boston Tea Party and the Stamp Act Riots. They were responsible for tarring and feathering people that were loyal to the king and burning down offices that belonged to the British leaders. It was illegal to speak against the king, however, The Sons Of Liberty, hated the king so they met at Liberty Trees. Liberty Trees were trees that had notes on them so they would know where to meet. The Sons Of Liberty wrote letters and pamphlets explaining why the British rule was wrong. The first Sons Of Liberty, were Samuel Adams, John Hancock, John Adams, Joseph Warren, Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington. Samuel Adams did not participate in the Boston Tea Party but, he did participate in being a strong opponent of Britians taxes. George Washington was the first president of the United States of America.

The French And Indian War was also known as the seven years war had played a major part in The American Revolution. The war started with the French and the British fighting over the Ohio River valley which would give access to the Mississippi River, the war lasted from 1756 to 1763. While the British occupied the east and wanted to move towards the west, and the French had covered all of Canada and wanted to move towards the south, it was pretty obvious that if any one of them would have moved towards the south or towards the west, they were going to run into each other and start to fight over the land. Britain saw a chance to take the French and Spain’s trade in a part of the land in North America. The British parliament sent men to take over their trade and completely ambush their trade routes, which later started The French And Indian War.

The British eventually won the war with victories at Louisbourg, Fort Frontenac and the French Canadian stronghold of Quebec, because of the new British leader, William Pitt. He saw the colonial conflicts as the key to building a vast British empire. He was also borrowing heavily amounts of money to finance the war, he paid Prussia to fight in Europe and reimbursed the colonies for raising troops in North America which provided Britain with territory in North America. Due to the war, the French lost all of Canada to Britain and gave Louisiana to Spain. The French were very upset when they gave Louisiana to Spain and all of Canada, the French was very eager to get the land back. At the 1763 peace conference, the British was given territories in Canada and Florida giving Britan expansion in the north, south, and in the west.

Benedict Arnold also has a major part in The American Revolution. He was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut. His mother was very wealthy and his father was a successful businessman. His mother was very religious and taught him things that would stick with him forever. They were able to keep him in a private school CantumBerarry Academy until they went into debt from Benedict Sr. spending less time at sea and more time socializing at local taverns. His mother arranged for him to be an apprentice for a local druggist with a hope that he might provide him with a trade. His wife was very beneficial with young Arnold and taught him the social needs to behave in a polite society. When The French And Indian War broke out he ran away twice to try and join the fight against the French, later Dr. Lathrop let Arnold fight in The French And Indian War. Before the war, he heard that his mother caught yellow fever and could die, he ran home as fast as he could risking execution from his army unit and got home in time, he buried her next to her other children in the old cemetery.

Later he became a military captain and when other soldiers and officers were promoted before him he became frustrated because he didn't get promoted or recognized at ceremonies. After The French And Indian War, he opened his own store and sold medicine, books, and stuff that he got off the trade ships from London. In 1763 he married Margaret Mansfield, the daughter of the high sheriff of New Haven Connecticut, who brought him three kids. He met with John Andre who was a British spy who persuaded him to switch sides. Before he switched sides he helped capture the British garrison of Fort Ticonderoga and the surrender of British General John Burgoyne’s army at Saratoga. While at Saratoga a musket ball hit his leg and shattered his thigh bone and was very critical to get medical help, he was lucky to survive with nothing but a permanent limp when he walks.

Some people believed the American Revolution was strictly liberal, while the truth, for it, was conservatively evidenced with the new British policies, brought new attitudes and the studies from what it meant to be a traditionalist vs. independent.

Works Cited

• https://www.britannica.com/event/French-and-Indian-War
• https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/benedict-arnold
• https://www.biography.com/video/benedict-arnold-full-episode-2072032392
• The Complete Guide to the Revolutionary War
• Book by Julia Garstecki
• https://www.biography.com/news/american-revolutionaries-facts Fascinating Facts About The Real 'Sons of Liberty'
• Article Title: Revolutionary War, Author: History.com Editors, Website Name: HISTORY, URL: https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history, Access Date: April 16, 2019, Publisher: A&E Television Networks, Last Updated: September 11, 2018, Original Published Date: October 29, 2009
• Article Title: French and Indian War, Author: History.com Editors, Website Name: HISTORY, URL: https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/french-and-indian-war, Access Date: April 16, 2019, Publisher: A&E Television Networks, Last Updated: August 29, 2018, Original Published Date: November 9, 2009

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