CHAPTER I: Washington's Failure & Adams' Counsel
In 1775, many colonists in British America, driven by the unfair taxes paid to Britain, revolted against the motherland. The military branch of this secessionist force was the Continental Army, led by General Washington. Although Washington's tactics showed promise, the Continental Army's defeat near Trenton in late 1776 sealed the rebellion's fate. Washington's men stayed on the defensive for a year, slowly losing territory.
Eventually, the Continental Congress dissolved in November, 1777, and Washington was defeated and hanged a month later.
In January, 1778, a contingent of former rebels, led by John Adams, went to London and signed a peace treaty with Britain. They agreed that the Thirteen Colonies would stay loyal to the Crown, but these surrendering rebels were pardoned - unlike the Jeffersonians, who fled into the west, but were hunted down by 1785.
In 1779-80, the House of Commons authorized several men to visit British America and record recommendations on how to avoid future discontent in the colonies. It was recommended that the governors of the colonies be chosen from the populace, so as to encourage a sense of solidarity between the leadership and the common man. It was suggested, also, that limited self-government be instituted, but this latter recommendation was dismissed.
However, several colonial-born governors were appointed, the first being John Adams himself, who was made Governor of Massachusetts in 1783.
In the 1790s, Adams made an unofficial alliance with several other governors for a common goal. Adams had not forgotten his rebel ideals and wanted to see British America slowly earn increasing autonomy from the Crown.
This seed, first planted by Adams and his small group of associates, would blossom into a more independent British America and, eventually, the great nation of Columbia.
In 1775, many colonists in British America, driven by the unfair taxes paid to Britain, revolted against the motherland. The military branch of this secessionist force was the Continental Army, led by General Washington. Although Washington's tactics showed promise, the Continental Army's defeat near Trenton in late 1776 sealed the rebellion's fate. Washington's men stayed on the defensive for a year, slowly losing territory.
Eventually, the Continental Congress dissolved in November, 1777, and Washington was defeated and hanged a month later.
In January, 1778, a contingent of former rebels, led by John Adams, went to London and signed a peace treaty with Britain. They agreed that the Thirteen Colonies would stay loyal to the Crown, but these surrendering rebels were pardoned - unlike the Jeffersonians, who fled into the west, but were hunted down by 1785.
In 1779-80, the House of Commons authorized several men to visit British America and record recommendations on how to avoid future discontent in the colonies. It was recommended that the governors of the colonies be chosen from the populace, so as to encourage a sense of solidarity between the leadership and the common man. It was suggested, also, that limited self-government be instituted, but this latter recommendation was dismissed.
However, several colonial-born governors were appointed, the first being John Adams himself, who was made Governor of Massachusetts in 1783.
In the 1790s, Adams made an unofficial alliance with several other governors for a common goal. Adams had not forgotten his rebel ideals and wanted to see British America slowly earn increasing autonomy from the Crown.
This seed, first planted by Adams and his small group of associates, would blossom into a more independent British America and, eventually, the great nation of Columbia.
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