Things You Never Knew About America
5 Interesting American Revolution Facts!
1. King George III
All Americans know that the Declaration of Independence declares the American Colonists' freedom from the oppressive tyrant monarch known as King George III. However, very few people do not even know the complexity of the actual situation. It was actually Parliament Officials who had the responsibility of creating the colonial policies and legislature. King George III was merely a figurehead with quasi-limited influences.
2. France and Its Alliance
Many people know that the French aided America in its battle against Great Britain due to France's goal of retaliating after the outcome of the Seven Years War (French and Indian War in America). Facts show that France became involved after the colonists proved themselves capable of beating British militia in the Battle of Saratoga, the revolutionary war's turning point. But did you know that records show that French involvement was in play before the Battle of Saratoga? They had been providing secret aid since 1776, and in that same year, Benjamin Franklin was sent to France in order to secure the formal alliance between France and Colonial America.
3. Declaration of Independence
Remember the day known as Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July. A common misconception of the Declaration of Independence is that this monumental day that declared America's independence occurred on July 4, 1776. In reality, America officially declared its independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776, the date that John Adams had hoped would become "the most memorable epocha in the history of America." July 4, 1776 was the date the Declaration of Independence's text was APPROVED. Furthermore, the document was not signed until August 2, 1776.
4. The Boston Massacre
This horrible atrocity that caused five innocent colonists to lose their lives in a rebellion against the British militia is blamed on Captain Preston's order to fire. Even Paul Revere's famous engraving depicts the Captain raising his hand in a command. To much of a surprise, further research shows that Preston was decided to not be guilty, the reason behind this being that Preston was standing in between the colonists and his army's raised guns. Ordering a command to fire would have resulted in his own death during the massacre.
5. The Boston Tea Party
Probably the very first and greatest revolutionary figures of the American Revolution, George Washington was one to disapprove of the Boston Tea Party. In June 1774, Washington's writing reveals that he believed "the cause of Boston ... ever will be considered the cause of America." On the contrary, he clearly spoke that he did not support the destroying of the expensive teas. Like other high-class members of the era, he instead believed a compensation was necessary towards the East India Company for the colonists' behavior and the damages they caused to both the ships and the tea.