How America Achieved Independence

 by Marinela Pervataj

Thomas Paine

Washington did not deliver independence for America, Britain did. Washington - the enigmatic revolutionary hero, a renowned symbol for American independence, the man who kicked the tyrannical Britain off American soils. Whilst it is undeniable that Washington was a pragmatic leader and key player in the American revolution it was not Washington that made America independent, in fact neither did any other notable figures in the revolution such as John Adams or Thomas Jefferson. It was Britain's failures and miscalculations that bred an environment for America to become independent. The colonisation of such a vast area was bound to be troublesome, this was exacerbated by the fact that there is an entire ocean between Britain and America making consistent communication near impossible. It is glaringly obvious that Britain gave America independence, though not intentionally, but independence was a cumulative result of British miscalculations. 

From the first moment that Britain landed in America, with Jamestown becoming the first victim of colonisation in 1604 it was an endeavour that was destined to fail. The leading reason for which is because of the method of salutary neglect that was implemented in the colonies. Without clear boundaries in the colonies it was inevitable that the moment that these boundaries were implemented there would be uproar. The unofficial policy of salutary neglect was where British policy was incredibly loosely or not enforced. Immediately, cracks were beginning to show in Britain's policy within the colonies, control had never been clearly established. The foundation for revolution was arguably set up 1604, nearly 200 years before independence was implemented. With the introduction of the Stamp Act, The Sugar Act and Townshend duties they were entirely juxtaposing the policy of salutary neglect that the colonists had become accustomed to. It may be argued that if taxation in some form had been implemented from the founding of the colonies, increasing them slightly would not have had catastrophic influences for Britain. Other colonies were arguable self governing in Britain's colonisation of America; proprietary colonies such as Maryland. Proprietary colonies were land grants given by the King to individuals, these individuals would turn into administrators for the areas for the Crown. The proprietor had a fair amount of control, with the ability to appoint the Governor and their council and determine laws. Essentially they were given the territory to run as they saw fit, despite laws having to be approved by the crown there was a high level of autonomy. Colonies like Maryland could be argued to have been independent from the creation of the colonies. The chartered colonies similarly experienced a similar level of freedom in terms of the governing of the colony. When looking at the proprietary and the chartered colonies, it is clear that the colonies could thrive with little input from Britain. The policy of salutary neglect also clarifies the severe reaction of the colonists to taxation, the abrupt involvement in England in colonial affairs after such a lengthy period of salutary neglect seemed foreign. 

Another glaring reason for revolution was differing ideologies. The American revolution is unique in the fact it was not born from tyranny, Britain was not tyrannical, nor was it oppressive contrary to popular belief in America in the late 18th century. Parliament was often accused of infringing the liberties of those in the colonies as repeated by the likes of Patrick Henry who famously asserted ‘give me liberty, or give me death’. The statement may seem hyperbolic, however the atmosphere in the colonies was incredibly charged, why so? An ocean of space between the colonies and England and few means of consistent communication meant ideologies developed differently. Ideas such as the enlightenment in Europe was the emphasis of reason over superstition and science over blind faith, whereas in the colonies the enlightenment became about greater emphasis on liberty and toleration. What it meant to be British in the colonies compared to what it meant within England also juxtaposed one another and this was to become a grave issue. The colonies claimed to be British in name only, customs were adopted, a social hierarchy was attempted, however proved incredibly difficult in a middling society, furthermore more people were enfranchised in the colonies; in 1776 60% of men in the colonies were enfranchised this compares to in England at the time where only 215,000 wealthy men were enfranchised. America was already experiencing a greater sense of liberty, there was a greater incentive to be involved in politics. Taxation in the colonies was far more than the economic effect, in fact the taxes themselves were not grand or extensive, it was the sentiment behind taxation that the colonies fundamentally disagreed with. Liberty took on different meanings in Britain and the Colonies, this differing outlook meant that Britain did not anticipate the reaction of the colonies. It was this differing outlook and social construct that was developing in the colonies that Britian had been oblivious to that meant that deep misunderstandings took place, with Britain being unable to change the narrative in the colonies that Parliament were being tyrannical and eventually led to the colonies declaring independence. 

Thomas Paine was a clear indicator of what independence meant in the colonies. In his pamphlet Common Sense which ignited the common desire for independence he notes the need to break not only from parliament but also the crown to be free from British control, he also notes that America would have flourished without the presence of Britain therefore there should not be apprehension in breaking from Britain. It was clear in Thomas Paine’s publication that all sense of British hegemony within the colonies had dissipated, it displayed that independence was a serious endeavour. 

Whilst it was never the intention of the British to lose part of its extensive empire, it is clear with the structure and the initial setup of the colonies that Britain never had total control. This lack of control was emphasised by taxation that ultimately led to American independence. It is entirely plausible that independence would have occurred in America in the absence of the founding fathers.