The Road to Revolution
The quest for freedom on America’s behalf did not evolve from just the American Revolution. The quest needed many parts to come together as a whole before the 13 separated colonies could form what has been known as The United States. By the eve of the American Revolution, the colonists went to extreme lengths to define their sense of identity and unity. In 1754, an intercolonial congress was held in Albany, NY, to try unify the colonies, a month before the meeting, Benjamin Franklin had publishes his famous “Join or Die” cartoon (Doc A) featuring a snakes in pieces, symbolizing the colonies. The symbolism to the cartoon had the initials of the colonies as a whole the snake could move freely, more like a full body, to come together for a common goal. Although Franklin helped united, the colonists in Albany the Albany plan fail because it compromised too much. Some may believe that all of England wanted to keep the 13 colonies loyal to England, however not only were the colonists seeking freedom and separation from its parent country but others even in Parliament believed that it was right for the colonies to secede from England. Edmund Burke, in his notes for a speech in Parliament noted that if America had no representation in Parliament, why should England govern them. He stated the distance between the two lands.