Apples and Trees- Pt. 1
21 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment
One of the subjects I have decided to begin with in my journey to knowledge is that of the incredible revolution that the American colonies declared against their mother country, Great Britain. We all recall the commendable story of our dreadfully honest George Washington and the Cherry tree, and we most certainly will never forget the fantastic and timid character of Thomas Jefferson as the congressional Jack (or should I say master) of all trades. The brave story of a nation crippled by unfair taxes, illegal acts and overall cruel treatment. It is for these reasons that America decided to rise up and dissolve her connection with such a Tyrant as the English crown. But that’s the story the way the Americans tell it. Sometimes it is very hard, especially for historians, to even consider the fact that there are two sides to every argument and coin. What about what Britain wanted? What happened to the most civilized nation in the western world that made it act in such a barbaric manner towards it’s own countrymen?
Well, as it turns out, they too had some say in the matter. And it started long before the setting for the musical production of 1776. It is for this reason that I have chosen to focus mainly on the book titled “The Glorious Cause” by Robert Middlekauff, of Oxford University. This will hopefully give you and I a fresh, albeit a tad ironic, insight into the years that formed the independent and patriotic United States of America.
Firstly, let us discuss the ‘Americans’, as seen before the revolution. Many people from outside the US comment on the vulgar and loud way Americans act or speak. Despite being polite there is always discussion on the assertiveness of these people. This trait goes all the way back to it’s roots, from the moment they stepped off the mayflower and onto the new world. Americans have always been driven in a way that is almost foreign to other cultures. The Europeans at the time called it “enthusiasm”, although not in a good way. But to the Americans, they were set on that land to service God in the best way possible. And what better way than by increasing population and expanding businesses as part of the providential order of things (a little smug, don’t you think?).
On the British front things weren’t going quite as wonderful. Even before the crowning of George III, which was a joyous occasion to be sure, Britain had suffered a great many military losses and was losing it’s standing as the worlds’ greatest conqueror. This is a great blow to British pride, since in the eyes of the rest of Europe, the British were nothing but barbarians, with a great ability for military excellence, and commercial genius. It is hard to imagine that anyone could possibly consider England a land without culture, but if you compare them to France they were extremely lacking in that regard. The English didn’t really help themselves with this prejudice when their main source of entertainment was watching people being hanged in the center of town (to which the king would wear his very best garments). So let’s get the facts straight: They had no class, no taste, no creativity, their monarchy was laughable in the eyes of their fellow Europeans, and one of the ONLY things everyone could agree that they were good at, they were currently sucking at. And THIS is when George III assumes the throne. Pretty good timing. Not so much for George, though. Poor fella.
These were just some opening thoughts to the very long and explicit subject. I hope this has opened a door in your mind to hear the other side out. We might actually like the British after all. 
That’s all for Pt. 1. Stay tuned for more!
Much Love,
HS101
