United States History 17A
Reluctance to Declare Independence
From our vantage point today, it may seem
hard to imagine that the founders of our country would have had doubts
about declaring independence. In fact, there were many reasons why, during
the winter and spring of 1776, they hesitated to take that final, fateful
step.
Remember, the Continental Congress had no
real authority to exist. How was it to make decisions on befalf a people
who had not even elected them to office? If a war came, and the Congress
tried to raise money to fight it, would the people resist their efforts
and charge them with exactly the same offense that had been levelled at
the British -- no taxation without representation? And if the people resisted
taxation, how would the Congress raise money to fight a war?
The British army and navy were the largest
and most experienced and best-led fighting forces in the world. George
Washington had wartime experience in the Seven Year's War, but no victories.
He had never led an army in battle. And the 'army' that he was now leading
in the early part of 1776 was merely a gathering of farmers with weapons.
Could they really be expected to defeat the British forces?
Congress knew that any sustained war effort
would require the support of the American people, and yet most people were
either supporters of the British or indifferent to events. If the American
people could not be counted on for unified support, perhaps some foreign
assistance could be obtained. But at the beginning of the war, the most
likely ally, France, was reluctant to show any signs of aiding the Americans
for fear that the British would declare war on them as well.
And, finally, what if the American effort
failed? The leaders of the rebellion would surely be tried for treason,
found guilty and, probably, hanged. Under these circumstances, it is not
surprising that some members of Congress paused over the 'Declaration of
Independence' before pledging their lives, their fortunes and their sacred
honor.
Answer the following question:
25. Identify three reasons why the Continental Congress
was reluctant to declare independence in 1776.
Return
to Study Guide #4
Revised
September 20, 2004
by Tom Gallup, e-mail address: [email protected]
West Valley College
http://www.westvalley.edu/wvc/ss/gallup/gallup.html