The Meaning of Independence:
Introduction:
Independence for any nation gives its people rights that support their existence and freedoms in the country. During the times of the 1770s, numerous events took place that changed the entire landscape of the relationship between Americans and their colonists. The British colonists had remained reluctant to take on giving America its independence. The demand for independence came as a surprise to them and had numerous considerations provided by the British including giving in to all other demands that Americans had requested for in exchange for them giving up independence (Morgan, 1976, p.3). At this time, the union with England no matter the terms to Americans looked less attractive compared to independence. The essay below seeks to unravel the reasons independence was so desirable to the people of America through their leaders George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. It explains why they would rather seek to cut ties with the British despite all the things offered at the time as incentives to keep the relationship.
The three men George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, are referred to in history as the architects of independence. These men called founding fathers of America due to their involvement in this struggle. The foresightedness of these three men liberated them and their countrymen. They looked at independence as a future for them and the country they belonged to and realized the difficulties of obtaining while in union with their colonizers the England. The three men sought to have independence for themselves and were ready for it. They had understood its need and the need to earn it for the country and hence their focused efforts to ensuring its achievement. The vision they perceived with independence run far from what the British could offer. The contribution of each of these men proves vital in the sense in which it has developed America and their resolve to have the country free from its colonial masters. Considering the approach that the British employed in their colonization of America, a desire to gain independence and freedom increased. The actions of the British especially their dictatorial rule was a major reason for the fight by the three to achieve independence.
The reasons provided by these men for severing ties with Great Britain included but were not limited to the following:
The Great Britain during its rule in America imposed taxes on the people of America without their consent. These had grave implications for the people of America affecting their economic activities. It affected their zeal to work considering they seemed to work for the British rather than themselves and their country. The Great Britain people had introduced trial by a jury, which did not serve fair to the people of America. Numerous cases of favoritism occurred leading to a major fallout between the people of America and their colonial masters. A military dictatorship was established in America that affected the freedoms of the people of America. The British developed the dictatorship as a form of administration through which the people of America would submit into in exchange for their other demands. During the time when the founding fathers sought independence, the British sought to have better terms of administration if the Americans withdrew their resolve for independence. Cutting off trade with the British was another reason that the independence of America was to bring. The country would obtain freedom to choose its trade partners as a sign of independence and value of its systems and people. Out of all these reasons, Thomas Jefferson listed four major items that included cutting off trade ties with the British, military dictatorship established in America, tax imposition on the people of America without consent and the need to eliminate trial by a jury.
The colonies would gain substantial control of their economic activities and development. The independence of America saw the beginning of a new era in which the country started shaping its future through decisions first aimed at protecting its freedom and the liberties of each man in the colonies. The decision to have independence was pegged on the desire to have the power to exercise decisions through which the people of America would establish new trade partners and decide the trade activities or items to trade. It was to give birth to a new system of leadership that would eliminate the dictatorial regime that the British had established in America. Independence would end the contribution of tax money to Great Britain through taxation of American citizens and have it converted to the money of the people of America. These all were part of the benefits people from the colonies would obtain but vital of all was the freedom of choice, freedom of speech and other freedoms as enshrined in the constitution of America. The four men involved in seeking to have independence individually wanted these freedoms and sought to gain the same for the people of America. This drove their quest to resist any other benefits the British proposed but insist on obtaining the ultimate goal, which was freedom through independence.
The acts of John Adams, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were based on their resolve to accomplish a higher cause through which their freedoms would be secured and that of the people of America. On this cause, they worked towards ensuring the freedoms attained would last forever and hence their working towards the development of a declaration of independence and resolution of independence through which the freedom of America from the British would be enshrined. These men fought for a higher cause shelving their self-interests to protect the interests of America as a country.
Aaron Burr was the Vice President to Thomas Jefferson. Despite having served in this high position, Aaron Burr is remembered for having tried to gain control of America and sabotage its independence. His efforts to effect his desires continued even years after the founding fathers through his protégé Martin Van Buren after President Jackson (Chaitkin, 2015). His actions in the revolutionary war are also recognized and the aid he provided for the development of the Jefferson legacy.
In conclusion, the desire for independence was a vision developed by three men, John Adams, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. These worked tirelessly to eliminate British rule in America and establish a lasting democracy that America enjoys to date. Their efforts were supported by Aaron Burr that came to serve as the third Vice President of the United States under President Thomas Jefferson. Despite his participation in several activities that threaten the independence that the three men fought so hard to earn. The history of the independence of America carries their three names in it due to their contribution to its earning from the British colonies that were reluctant to offer it.
Bibliography:
Chaitkin, Aton. Treason in America: From Aaron Burr to Averell Harriman. Executive Intelligence Review, 2015.
Morgan, Sears, Edmond. The Meaning of Independence: John Adams, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson. University of Virginia Press, 1976.
