This idea has been in my head for several months now, and probably before that even, and I've finally managed to sit down and start really thinking about it. This timeline explores the possibilities of what may have happened had Nova Scotia sent delegates to the Continental Congresses, and later became a state.
As a fore note, excuse the writing style, I'm not much of a story teller, so it will likely read like a textbook. Sorry!
Anyway, comments, suggestions, nitpicks, or whatever you have to offer, are all welcome.
Origins of the American Revolution
1760-1776
As a fore note, excuse the writing style, I'm not much of a story teller, so it will likely read like a textbook. Sorry!
Anyway, comments, suggestions, nitpicks, or whatever you have to offer, are all welcome.
Origins of the American Revolution
1760-1776
The true beginning of the revolution can be said to have begun as the French-Indian War ended. With the French military threat gone, Britain adopted the view that colonies should pay a substantial sum to remain a part of the British Empire. As a series of taxes and other laws were imposed, many Colonial Englishmen felt that the taxes violated their rights as Englishmen, because they had no representation in London.
Beginning with so-called Committees of Correspondence, many colonies developed unofficial Provincial Congresses, as a means of relaying and discussing news and ideas. This development would eventually lead to a further Continental Congress in a few years' time.
Combined with the classical ideas of republicanism, grievances against the British government in London culminated with the Declaration of American Independence in 1776, written at the Second Continental Congress. However, fighting had already begun, notably with the protests in Boston, Massachusetts. This marks the beginning of the War of American Independence, or the Revolutionary War.
The Revolution
1776-1783
1776-1783
In March of 1776, forces led by George Washington expelled the British from the colonies, who declared their independence that July. The new nation was free, but the war was not near over. The newly formed Continental Army, on paper a regular military force, would prove to be a constant work-in-progress for General Washington, who was chosen to lead the Patriot cause as Commander-in-Chief.
In August, the British and the Continental Armies faced off at the Battle of Long Island. New York City, and nearly Washington's life, was seized by the British, who easily defeated the poorly trained and armed patriot army. Washington and his Continental Army were chased through New Jersey, until reaching Pennsylvania in December.
Washington then took the offensive, crossing the Delaware river and surprising the British at the Battle of Trenton on Christmas day. Another success at Princeton, on January 7th, provided new hope for the Patriot cause. The Continental Army at this point had dwindled to a mere 1,400 men, although these victories would convince more men to join the fight.
A failed British Attempt to take Charleston, South Carolina, further exemplified the Patriot cause. After the Battle of Saratoga, a decisive victory for the Americans in New York, the war appeared to be turning in favor of the Americans.
For much of 1777, the British under General Howe, focused on capturing the seat of the Revolutionary government in Philadelphia. Despite maneuvering by Washington, the Continental Congress abandoned the city ahead of the British Army, who took the city on September 11th.
Philadelphia captured, Washington encamped his Army at Valley Forge for the next 6 months. In the spring of 1778, the Continental Army emerged in good condition. Under supervision of Baron von Steuben, the Army was introduced to modern Prussian tactics and organization. By now, the French had learned of the victory at Saratoga, and were prepared to enter the war. The chief target for the French becomes the British naval station in Rhode Island and later the French-speaking Quebec, whom the Americans were eager to convince to join the Revolution. It appeared that Canada would be the next point of contention in the war. While the naval superiority of the British prevents Newport from being taken, French forces were reorganized as the Canadian campaign opened. With the French moving into Quebec from the East, and the Americans from the South, the British were caught fighting against two fronts, in addition, growing local support for the Revolution made things rough for the British in every aspect.
What remained of the British Army in America was focused in New York. On December 29th, a British expeditionary force captured Savannah, Georgia. In early June, 1779, Quebec City was captured by American forces, effectively ending British rule in Canada. An attempt to recapture Savannah failed the next October, and British forces moved on to besiege Charleston, South Carolina, capturing it May 12, 1780. Over the course of the year, American military activity in the South collapsed as North Carolina was forfeited and Virginia became a contest.
By now, the Americans had garnered support from other European powers. Britain was fighting simultaneously, America, France, Spain, and the Netherlands. King George III was frustrated at the situation. New England and Pennsylvania seemed unconquerable, and colonial assets in Florida, the Caribbean and India were being contested by European powers. The availability of British forces in America was becoming more and more an issue.
On August 2nd, the British naval station in Newport, Rhode Island was surrendered. On February 3, 1782, the British position at New York was surrendered to Franco-American forces. By June, support for the war in Britain was non-existent and preliminary peace terms were prepared in Paris. The Treaty of Paris, which formally ended all conflict was signed on August 14, 1783. The last British troops left New Jersey in November. According to the terms of the treaty, Britain surrendered claims to the colonies of Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Nova Scotia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Georgia, ceded territory West of the Appalachian Mountains, and Canada to the United States, and ceded East and West Florida to Spain.