The study of historical events has many advantages, among which the main one is what events influenced the formation of the modern way of the world. One such significant event was the American Revolution, during which the definition of patriots appeared. These individuals appealed to the metropole for a redress of various grievances. Of particular importance for this study is the study of how they conducted their activities. In addition, it will examine ethics and civics were used by patriots of the colonial society seeking change data. Moreover, particular attention needs to be paid to the first American government under the Articles of Confederation and effectiveness of the second government under the Constitution.
First of all, it is necessary to consider what the phenomenon of patriotism was and who was an adherent of this movement. The main reason that influenced the emergence of patriotism was the discontent of individuals about the inequality of power in the country, unfair tax policies, and the lack of political representation. This movement became widespread in the eighteenth century in the English colonies. Thus, the patriots rejected the monarchy and aristocracy and strived to introduce new rules and norms into society. Research defined patriotism as “disinterested public spirit and love of one’s country”. Thus, the main goal of the phenomenon of patriotism was the overthrow of colonial regimes and the strengthening of human rights and freedoms. In addition, among the central ideas promoted by the patriots was an increase in economic growth and a reduction in taxes.
In its activities, the patriotic movement has adhered to several methods that need to be considered in order to gain a better understanding and ethics and civics. Henceforth, the Patriots used several approaches, which to some extent, allowed them to achieve what they wanted. One of them was consumer revolutions, which consisted of buying goods made by specialized manufacturers. Thus, they achieved a reduction in the cost of local products, which led to a revolution in this area. Moreover, such measures as a boycott were used, which further advanced the country to the beginning of revolutionary actions.
One of the goals of the parties was to change the taxation policy. To achieve it, they used salutary neglect, which consisted in refusing to pay this financial obligation. Moreover, they resorted to the application of laws regarding regulatory law concerning trade in products and goods. This policy was particularly effective when patriots decided to interact with other nations, pirates, or smugglers. This step contributed because when they were caught, the Americans released them without punishment. Thus, the pirates were in a preferential position and effectively promoted their next steps.
Another method was to give people the right to choose, as representatives of the patriotic movement saw society as a driving force. In addition, they believed that individuals should choose the people who will occupy the top leadership positions. This decision was aimed at limiting grievances since the leader will be chosen by a person who will take into account their interests and not neglect them.
Thus, the next aspect that needs to be considered is ethical considerations that were included in seeking redress of the grievances. Thus, as already mentioned, the advantage for the patriots was that they brought people as the primary agents for change. Moreover, they proclaimed the value of civil liberties and independence, which are an integral part of ethics and civics. However, the problem for the Patriots was that in their politics because of the unequal concentration of power. The observance of the peaceful state in the country has become an equally valuable component of the patriots’ policies. Thus, they pursued the ethical principle of humanity, which denies the use of military action as the most effective in achieving the goal. Moreover, the patriots believed that human life had an exceptional value, and they preferred to destroy property rather than harm individuals.
However, despite the reasonably good methods of achieving their goals and the use of ethical and civic principles, the patriots failed in the creation of the first American government under the Articles of Confederation. One of the reasons was the fact that the articles of confederation were firmly based on the voluntary efforts of the states. This concerned the sending of money received as a result of the collection of tax payments. However, the consequence of this aspect was reduced funding, which was the result of the fact that the state failed to support military and paper currency beneficially.
Therefore, the Articles of Confederation influenced a significant reduction in the power of the government. This circumstance caused the need to create a new one in order to address their grievances. The second government under the Constitution failed to address all grievances that were proclaimed patriots. Therefore, it provided domestic security and clearly organized and regulated the responsibilities of the administrative bodies. However, such ethical principles as taking into account human opinion and individual freedom still did not have the expected force.
The patriot movement was of particular importance to the American Revolution of the eighteenth century. It contributed to the formation of the social, political and economic system that people are observing now. However, despite its initial effectiveness, compliance with ethics and civics, and the application of various methods, it has not received the expected results. Moreover, created the Articles of Confederation and the second government under the Constitution did not have the success patriots hoped for.
References
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Bailyn, Bernard. 2017. The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Harvard: Harvard University Press.
Breen, Timothy Hall. 2017. ““Baubles of Britain”: The American and Consumer Revolutions of the Eighteenth Century.” In Colonial America and the Early Republic, 197-228. London: Routledge.
Mayo-Bobee, Dinah. “Standing in Their Own Light: African American Patriots in the American Revolution,” Early American Literature, 54, no. 1 (2019): 262-266.
Murphy, Sharon Ann. 2019. “Banking and Finance from the Revolution to the Civil War.” In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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