"What then is the American, this new man?" (Document H) is the question lingering at the eve of the Revolution. After the separation of the colonies and Great Britain, what now are these free men? Are they still British? Though they have always thought of themselves as British, years of salutary neglect had given them the opportunity to develop their own culture.
             For about 150 years, Great Britain and the American Colonies sat with salutary neglect. Then Great Britain began taxing the colonies inorder to pay their debts after the French and Indian War. American Opinions were forming. John Lock believed that the government was there for the people. Also, people have certain rights. He believed no man had the right to harm another's "life, health, liberty, or possessions." The American public agreed that these taxations were a violation of their liberty. The thought that once they are taxed, they will be taxed forever circulated. Thus, an identity and unity was being born.
             With the colonies new found unity, they began to understand their identity. The colonies united time and time again to oppose acts such as the Stamp Act. This was the first direct tax that taxed things like newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, commercial bills, and advertisements. Uprisings occurred throughout the colonies. In effect, Congress wrote the rights that they believe the colonists should have. Contracts for boycotts were drawn up, bringing a closer unity to the colonies. As presented by the Continental Congress in 1775, "in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverance, employ for the preservation of our liberties," (Document E) expresses their belief of every man equal and the need for their natural rights to be in place once again. Now Americans are becoming more defined by the opinions they have.
             "We mean not to dissolve that union which has so long and so happily subsi...