Tyranny in Colonial America
There are many ways to define tyranny. The Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines tyranny as "an arbitrary, despotic government; esp: rigorous, cruel and oppressive government." Many people tend to associate the British with tyranny in relation to the Revolutionary War but perhaps that assumption needs a second glance. The British, up until 1763, governed the colonies through a policy of "salutary neglect." Although they had strict trading laws in place, it was not until this time period of necessity and debt that they truly enforced these laws. In fact, the internal colonial government was just as much of, if not more, a tyranny then the British. The colonial ruling class was made up almost solely of the wealthy and educated upp
It was not until Patrick Henry's eloquent speeches and Thomas Paine's Common Sense that those with power found a way to reach the lower dregs of society and relieve class tensions. Their methods were so self-seeking that very few of the poorer classes felt any kinship to these oppressive leaders, furthering the disunity that had handicapped the colonies for so long. The distribution of wealth in the colonies was extremely uneven, creating huge class divisions. They realized that although for the moment the mob's hatred was turned towards the British-elite, it could soon be turned toward them. The growing resentment of these vile conditions is demonstrated in the way in which the poor colonists, sometimes known as "the mob" went about protesting their condition and grievances. As protests grew to be more and more violent the rich set up armed patrols for their own protection. er class that governed the colonies in a virtual tyranny. This worried the upper-class colonials such as Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Also, though the Declaration clearly states, "all men are created equal," the law of that time proved that this statement did not include the poor, the Negro slaves, the servants, or the women who made up the majority of the population. The huge number of dissatisfied poor, especially in the south, became a hindrance to the Revolution as most of the Regulators as well as many other groups protesting the treatment of the upper-class choose not to side with the Patriots, who were under the leadership of the same people who were being protested. As you can see the way the upper-class choose to rule over the people during the time of the Revolutionary War can be fairly described as a tyranny. Instead of merely making a point of protest, the colonists would smash and destroy any sign of wealth in their way in an attempt at leveling. The Declaration of Independence itself is a huge violation of the very principles for which it is supposed to stand. In North Carolina a powerful group of white farmers known as the Regulators formed in protest of wealthy and corrupt officials presiding over them.
Common topics in this essay:
Revolutionary War,
Declaration Independence,
Thomas Jefferson,
Collegiate Dictionary,
Revolution Regulators,
North Carolina,
Common Sense,
Patrick Henry's,
Tyranny Tyranny,
upper-class choose,
governed colonies,
revolutionary war,
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