The American Revolutionary War: The Colonies


Figure 1.--.

The different colonies played very different roles in the Revolution. Some were hotbeds of the Revolution and played critical roles. Others played less imporant roles. Here the size and population of the colonies were a major factor. The Revolution began in Massachusetts. Boston was a particular hotbed of the Rvolution. Many of the luminaries of the Revolution (John Adams, Sam Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Rvere were from Massachusetts). It was no accident that the incidents that sparked the Revolution (the Boston Masacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the fateful confrontation at Lexington and Concord) occurred in Massachusetts. And the first major battle (Bunket Hill) was fought there. The importance of international trade and limitations placed on the Colonists by the British were an important factor in radicalizing the Massachusetts. The next most important colony was Virginia. The Revolution was impossible without Virginia. It was a large and important colony. And like Massacgusetts had also become radicalized by British policy, turning even loyal supporters, like George Washington into rebels. Many other luminaries of the Rvolution were Virginians (Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and James Mason). John Madison played a limited role in the Revolution, but a cebtrl role in creating a successful new Amrican Republic through his role in radting the Constitution. It is no accident that four of he first five presidents were Virginians. Other important colonies were the Mid-Atlantic colonies (New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). These were large prosperous colonies where most of the Revolutionary War battles we fought. The Pennsylvania militia played an important role in the Revolution. Each of the colonies had supporters for the crown of varying importance. One colony in particular wavered--Vermont. It was not one of the original 13 colonies and the only colony without a seaport. Ethen Allen was the primary figure in the colony and was as concernd with independence from New Hampshire and New York as from Britain. In fact, he conducted secret negitiations with the British. The British as the war bogged down in the northern and mid-Atlantic colonies, concluded that there was more support for the Crown in the southern colonies. Some of the most important battles of the War were fought in South Carolina eventully leading to the final conclusive battle at Yorktown in Virginia.

Massachusetts

The Revolution began in Massachusetts. Boston was a particular hotbed of the Rvolution. Many of the luminaries of the Revolution (John Adams, Sam Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Rvere were from Massachusetts). It was no accident that the incidents that sparked the Revolution (the Boston Masacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the fateful confrontation at Lexington and Concord) occurred in Massachusetts. And the first major battle (Bunket Hill) was fought there. The importance of international trade and limitations placed on the Colonists by the British were an important factor in radicalizing the Massachusetts.

New Jersey


New York


Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania militia played an important role in the Revolution.

South Carolina

The British as the war bogged down in the northern and mid-Atlantic colonies, concluded that there was more support for the Crown in the southern colonies. Some of the most important battles of the War were fought in South Carolina eventully leading to the final conclusive battle at Yorktown in Virginia.

Vermont

Each of the colonies had supporters for the crown of varying importance. One colony in particular wavered--Vermont. It was not an actual colony and thus not one one of the original 13 colonies. It was also the only colony without a seaport. Ethen Allen was the primary figure in the colony, organizing the Green Nountain Boys, and was was concernd with independence from New Hampshire and New York as from Britain. As a result in addition to the Continental Congress with the 13 original colonies, the Republic of Vermont cme into existence (1777-91). And Allen conducted secret negotiations with the British to establish an independent crown colony. Allen is often portrayed as a hero of the Revolution. He is more accurately described as a fervent Vermont nationalist. One historian writes, "... the suspicions of all the leading players were thoroughly aroused, that Vermont was in leafgue with the enemy--Washington, Stark, Schuyler (still hi=olding a senior military command) and Governor Clinton--and concrete evidence from Clinton was about to emerge .... When EliBrownson went to Philadelphia in the summer of 1781 to seek the xchange of his cousin, Gideon Brownson, Wasgington refused the request because of rumors that Vermont was conspie=ring to unite with Great Britain; if Vermont persisted, he 'threatened to destroy it entirely,'" [Benntt]

Virginia

The next most important colony was Virginia. The Revolution was impossible without Virginia. It was a large and important colony. And like Massacgusetts had also become radicalized by British policy, turning even loyal supporters, like George Washington into rebels. Many other luminaries of the Rvolution were Virginians (Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and James Mason). John Madison played a limited role in the Revolution, but a cebtrl role in creating a successful new Amrican Republic through his role in radting the Constitution. It is no accident that four of he first five presidents were Virginians.

Sources

Bennett, David. A Few Lawless Vagabonds (2014), 336p.






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Created: 9:34 PM 6/1/2014
Last updated: 9:34 PM 6/1/2014