The events that took place during the declaration of independence are a great treasure to Americans. Analyzing the book, Declaration: Nine Tumultuous Weeks can give insight on the events that associated with the war of American independence. Initially, this review highlights the author’s background and current occupation. The paper also evaluates the author’s argument while detailing the shortcomings and strengths for the book. The book’s thesis accounts for the struggles that characterized the war towards Americans independence.
William Hogeland presents the chronological order of activities, in the establishment of America as a nation. The writer highlights the conflicts and compromises that occurred during the war for America’s independence (Hogeland 35). Hogeland presents the assumption that the war for independence did not occur as a revolution. He suggests that Adams cousins manipulated the war for America’s independence. The book informs the reader about the colonial period in America. He also presents how Sam and John influenced the war for independence. The author suggests that American would have a better life today if the war for independence had not been fought.
In the first chapter, Hogeland indicates that Sam Adams was worried about a referendum that would take place in Philadelphia in 1776. The author uses his narrative skills to present that particular day, the first day of May 1776 (Hogeland 100). The writer develops a picture of the weather and the crowds of people on that day. On that, day voters had to make an important choice, whether to make peace with England or declare independence for America.
Hogeland suggests that the war between America and Britain began with a blast in Lexington. The colonialists did not have a uniform solution to the problem. Some colonialists wanted to remain defensive during the war. The colonialists felt that England had mistreated her colony, and the war was forceful (Hogeland 100). Colonialists in America knew that if the war continued and American fighters won, they had to move across the Atlantic, back to England. Colonialists did not want that to happen. Therefore, they became lenient to Americans who continued to pursue independence. Hogeland argues that the colonialists living in America at the time had settled down. Therefore, they did not want a situation where they would lose the war and move back to their homeland.
In my opinion, the colonialists agreed to grant Americans independence due to their personal interests. They considered the situations, which had caused them to leave England and did not want to move back. When the colonialist came to America, they had trouble in settling down. However, they managed to settle and begin the process of civilization. They did not want to lose all they had worked for during the war. They feared that if they lost the war, they would lose it all. Therefore, they agreed to make the declaration for independence.
Hogeland suggest that Sam Adams was the main contributor in the declaration for independence. He suggests that Adams felt that he had a responsibility in the process of granting America independence. The author suggests that Adams rushed the activities, which led to the declaration of independence. Hogeland presents a biased opinion by indicating that Adam “Badly wanted” the declaration to take place (Hogeland 75). According to my understanding, every man had a single vote. Therefore, the declaration came as a response to what people had voted. The declaration of America’s independence came because of the efforts by the founding fathers. The founding fathers wanted to restore their humanity and the election in Philadelphia supported them. The author presents the declaration to have taken place because of Adams efforts in the Statehouse.
In writing, the author fails to indicate the actual influences, which led to the declaration of independence. The author presents the wrong ideas to the readers that if the war did not take place, America would be a better nation today. However, the war for independence made Americans appreciates the need for working together (Hogeland 110). During the war for independence Americans, leant great principles, which helped them, make a nation. However, the author succeeds in presenting the key players and events that led to the declaration of independence. The author succeeds in mentioning Adams and Paine as influential leaders in the declaration of independence.
Conclusion
Hogeland succeeds in creating a mental picture of the chronological order of activities, which led to the declaration of the American independence. However, the author made some assumptions that discredit the reliability of his arguments. The founding fathers played a great role in winning the war. Britain did not grant America independence due to the interests of the colonialists who had settled in America. The founding fathers fought a great fight that led to American’s independence.
Works Cited
Hogeland, William. Declaration: the nine tumultuous weeks when America became independent, May 1-July 4, 1776. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2010. Print.
