American Revolution: perspectives and interpretations

American Revolution in Different Perspectives

The American Revolution was a war that began as a disagreement. The colonists largely believed that they were treated unfairly, merely pawns that were used for whatever reasons best suited the crown and parliament. Inside of this general sentiment were individual sentiments about why independence was necessary and desirable. This paper will look at different perspectives from that time including religious, loyalist, rebellious, African-American and legal perspectives.

In "Of the Natural Rights of Colonists" taken from Pamphlets of the American Revolution 1750-1776, it says that all colonists are by nature freeborn -- white or black. The text names a man by the name of Baron Montesquieu who was an Enlightenment thinker, ahead of his time when it came to the topic of slavery reform. The text states that slavery as was exercised over the Ethiopians threatened to "reduce both Europe and America to the ignorance and barbarity of the darkest ages." The text goes on to question how whether one's hair is curly or straight, or how whether one's nose is flatter than another's, could have anything to do with freedom of colonists. The African-American perspective is one that is passionate as it points at the fact that what the colonists want is liberty for all. The perspective is that they all are in the same boat, no matter what their skin color.

Patrick Henry's speech, "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death," is probably one of the most well-known American speeches. In this speech, Henry, giving a rebellious perspective, warns the colonists not to be "betrayed with a kiss." He is essentially warning the colonists and asking them how they can believe that England does not mean to subjugate them when they bring their armies over. "These are the implements of war and subjugation the last arguments to which kings resort." He wants to make clear that implements of war are not brought over unless the idea is to subjugate man. He asks, "Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love?" He notes that the colonists tried petitions, they tried to reconcile, but there is no room for reconciliation because what England wants is to subjugate the colonists.

Patrick Henry's speech is a call to the colonists to gather their strength. He states that there is no other time for them to be stronger. If they don't act strongly now, when will they? When there are British guards in each of their houses? The time, he states, isn't one where they should try and make peace. That time went long ago. If there is not liberty than he would rather have death.

In the song "The Volunteers of Augusta," the loyalists take a perspective similar to that of Patrick Henry. The first two lines state, "Come join, my brave lads, come all from afar, We're all Volunteers, all ready for war." This song is a call to fight. It notes that the English have plundered their houses and causes their families to run from their home. They refer to the villains as murderers and state that they should have no mercy because of this. The chorus of the song says, "Then chop with your swords, and constantly sing, Success to our Troop, Our Country, and King." Here the song is calling the country its king, implying that there is no other ruler for them than their own country. The song is a song meant to rally the people and show them that they all can be volunteers for the cause.

In Jonathan Mayhew's, "A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers," the minister notes that it is "weak and trifling and unconnected" for the people to show obedience to a tyrannical and oppressive ruler. He comes to his speech from a religious perspective and states that to be obedience to oppressive and tyrannical rulers does not perform the pleasure of God. He states, rather, that this is the pleasure of the devil because they are doing evil. He states that for those who should not believe in just authority go against the word of God. God does not want people to obey a ruler that is cruel and one that subjugates its people. "Common tyrants, and public oppressors are not entitled to obedience from their subjects, by virtue of any thing here laid down by the inspired apostle."

Moreover, Mayhew notes how illogical it is when one considers that millions of people should be subjected to the "arbitrary, precarious pleasure of one single man," which, of course, is the king of England. How can all these people be at one man's disposal? These are the questions that Mayhew asks and he answers with arguments that illustrate the un-Godlike nature of the English rulers.