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American Colonies

STORY PREFACE

http://awesomestories.com/images/user/10c18b28c8.jpg

Photograph depicting the portrait of Thomas Paine, copy by Auguste Millière, circa 1876 (original: 1792).  Maintained by the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.  Accession number: NPG 897.  Image online courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

 

When in the Course of human events,
it becomes necessary for one people
to dissolve the political bands which
have connected them with another...

Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776

It was 1775. George III ruler of Great Britain, viewed the thirteen American colonies as "his." Heavy taxes, paid by the colonials, filled the king’s treasury. Life was good - for some people. For others, like Thomas Paine:
These are the times
that try men’s souls

What was trying "men’s souls" was British rule. The time had come for America to be free.

But cutting the ties that bound thirteen colonies to England would not happen without a revolt. No one ever gives up a treasure without a fight. Especially not a king.

Many colonists, however, believed their cause was supported by a power much higher and greater than King George. Those beliefs helped to fan the flames of revolutionary fervor.

Author: Carole D. Bos, J.D.

 

Key to Color-Coded Links

Original Release Date:  July, 2002
Updated Quarterly, or as Needed

To cite this story, using MLA Guidelines:

Bos, Carole D. "American Colonies" AwesomeStories.com. Date of access
       <http://awesomestories.com/history/am-colonies>.

IN OTHER WORDS: Author. Title of story. Name of web site. Date of access <URL>.