Introduction
In the mid-18th century, English colonists in North America expressed dissatisfaction with their situation and made various demands for the “metropolis.” However, elite members of colonial society, known as Patriots, used various methods to achieve their goals through civic engagement and sought to address their grievances and bring about changes in colonial politics.
Civic Engagement and Methods of Protest
Patriots were elite members of the colonial society who valued the principles of democracy and fought for the rights and freedoms of other Americans. They confidently employed methods of civic participation that can aptly be applied to ethics and civic competence. For example, they organized rallies and assemblies to discuss grievances and demands. They used their overwhelming emotional argumentation and exposed facts and evidence supporting their viewpoints.
They also resorted to the printed word, using presses and periodicals to spread their ideas and ideals. These methods allowed them to compel the British government to consider their demands and evaluate the situation (Ellis, 2021). The patriots believed that the right to self-government was an inalienable right of every person and that every citizen should have equal opportunities to participate in decision-making.
They considered ethical principles that spoke to the right of every individual to freedom and equality before the law. They also considered the principle of civic responsibility and believed every citizen should have a voice in decision-making. They acknowledged that the British government had the right to take whatever necessary actions to maintain peace and order.
However, in pursuit of their goals, Patriots employed violence and threats in some cases to achieve their goals, for example, in the case of the Boston Tea Party in 1773, when a group of Patriots threw tea into the sea in protest against the metropolitan tax policy (Ellis, 2021). Furthermore, some Patriots, such as Samuel Adams, encouraged violence and provocation to reach their goals. On the contrary, they always sought to go the way of peaceful interaction and dialogue.
Struggles of Early American Governance
However, despite the Patriots’ efforts to create the first American government following the Articles of Confederation, they were unsuccessful. They needed help to unite the American colonies’ interests and gain enough strength to resist the British imperial government. The second government, founded on the Constitution, successfully solved these problems and gave Americans the necessary rights and freedoms.
The Articles of Confederation gave a weak government that lacked the power to enforce its laws and raise revenue (Lockard, 2020). The government was too decentralized and lacked the authority to regulate commerce or raise taxes. The Patriots could not secure the rights of the people, and the government could not resolve the disputes between the states.
The Constitution addressed some of the grievances of the Patriots by creating a stronger federal government with the power to regulate commerce and raise revenue (Lockard, 2020). It also provided a system of checks and balances to ensure that the government was accountable to the people. However, it did not address all of the grievances of the Patriots, and many of the issues raised during the Revolution remained unresolved.
Legacy, Criticism, and Democratic Aspirations
In addition, some historians have argued that the Patriots replaced the imperial government with a new government that reflected their interests. While it is true that the Patriots sought to create a government that reflected their interests, it is essential to note that they did so within the framework of democratic principles and ethical considerations. The Patriots believed in natural rights and justice principles and sought to establish a government that would protect them. While the new government may have reflected the Patriots’ interests, it was still based on democratic principles that protected the rights of all individuals.
Moreover, the Patriots’ efforts were not solely motivated by self-interest (Lockard, 2020). They believed that many others shared their grievances in the colonies, and they sought to establish a government that would benefit all individuals. Many of the Patriots’ actions, such as the boycotts of British goods, were designed to benefit the entire colony rather than just themselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ethics and citizenship were fundamental principles on which American patriots based their activities. They used various methods, such as demonstrations, petitions, and negotiations, to draw the metropolis’s attention and satisfy their claims. In their actions, they were guided not only by the interests of their colony but also by national interests and aimed to create a unified nation based on the principles of freedom and equality. However, despite their efforts, the first American government created following the Articles of Confederation proved ineffective and unable to solve its problems. This demonstrated the need for a new Constitution and government, created due to compromises and agreements between different population groups.
References
Ellis, Joseph J. 2021. The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents, 1773-1783. New York: Liveright Publishing Corporation.
Lockard, Craig A. 2020. Societies, Networks, and Transitions: A Global History. Volume II, since 1450. Belmont: Wadsworth.