Question 1: Explain the circumstances under which the United States was created.
Before what is now the United States of America, the lands were inhabited by indigenous people who are known as the Red Indians (Zinn, Howard, 54). Then European colonists invaded the land. The British, being the colonists, imposed impossible taxes to the thirteen colonies. These colonies rejected the British rule. Consequently, in April 1775, there arose an armed conflict between the thirteen colonies and the British. On the 4th of July 1176 (Historical Statistics, 31), the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted by the Congress. This stated that all men were equal and there was no special person. Thus, the new nation called United States of America was born.
When General George Washington led his compatriots to win the Revolutionary War, the nation enlarged its territorial borders. What created, the United States was the Congress which adopted the Declaration of the Independence. Self-government was always a desire for the thirteen states. Since tax resistance began in Boston, the parliament, which was run by colonialist decided to punish the colonies. However, the resistance soon spread to Massachusetts and eventually led to the declaration of Independence.
Question 2: List the major complaints that British colonists in the 13 colonies had against their government (the British government)
The major complaints that the thirteen colonies had against the colonial government (British Government) were many. One of them was the excess taxes that were imposed on them by the colonial government. When the French were driven out by the British in 1763, new taxes were imposed. In fact, this is what led to the resistance which commenced in Boston. Massachusetts soon followed.
Another complaint that the people had against their colonial counterparts was the fact that they were considered less people than the British. This violated their human rights. The discrimination also contributed to the Declaration of independence which stated that all people are equal (Zinn, Howard, 62). Therefore, rights must be equal. The forms of taxes and the fact that the people of the thirteen colonies were not allowed to go to some places and do some things contributed to the resistance and eventual armed conflict.
Question 3: Describe how the government of the new United States was similar and different to their previous system of government (the British system of government)
When the nation of the United States of America was formed, the people were given a changed social order. Here, privilege and heredity accounted for less than it did during the colonial era. The difference between the government of the United States and the British colonial government is the fact that the former is a free government. It is also a government that operates under a written constitution. The British one did not. In addition, the new government is government chosen by the citizens of the United States. That is to say, the government of the United States has democratic elements in it. The colonial one did not have that. The British colonial one was operated under heredity and force. Taxes are another issue. Though this can be considered a similarity since both need taxes, the difference occurs when the amount is considered. The British colonial government charged excess taxes. The new national government is considerate. There are not many similarities, but the one mentioned about taxation provides a good similarity. The final notable difference between the two governments is that the Government of the United States expected human rights. The colonial government did not.
Question 4: Discuss some of the main ideas or philosophies that inspired American colonists while they were creating the United States
Creation of the united Sates was not an easy task. The colonists had a hard time doing this. However, they drew inspiration from many quarters. For example, the desire to create a democratic government gave them a great push. Progress was a must for them. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin drew inspiration from religion. Both believed in deism, a religion which believed in outgrowth that gave rise to enlightenment. Another inspiration came from philosophers such as John Locke (Historical Statistics). He believed that no person had the right to ruler ship as was evident id monarchial nations that believed in kings and queens such as the British. Therefore, the creators of the United States wanted to create a nation that was open and equal to everyone.
Civil rights also inspired the makers of the nation. Religious beliefs did not matter much. However, they believed that all people have the right to profess any religion they want. They are free to do so. Thus, the desire to have freedoms and practice liberties forced the freedom fighter to fight the British rule and create the United States of America that was the cornerstone of freedom and right.
Works Cited
Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970. Washington: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 1975. Print.
Zinn, Howard. A People's History of the United States: 1492-2001. New York, United States: Pearson, 2003. Print.
