Significant events in America impacted the development of the U.S. between the age of discovery and 1877. These events shaped the history of the U.S. and changed the way Americans performed their daily routines. From the time of discovery, there were several events that included major agricultural revolutions, war, and industrial changes that formed the current-day U.S. These historical timelines are a symbol of national unity and remind the United States of the events that occurred in the past that shaped their nations today. This essay is a description of two major events in the United States before 1877 and their impact on the people of America.
The Declaration of Independence – 1776
On June 4th, 1776, the United States was declared independent through a second continental meeting of the Congress in Philadelphia. Through this procedure, 13 American states were given the right and a chance to pick a government. During the conflict of the American colonists and the British soldiers in 1775, the American people were only fighting for their rights as the people of the British nation (Goodall, 2017). As the war grew, the push for independence from Britain also became stronger. The congress committee was pressured to vote, and a five-member committee was set to draft a formal statement to the colonists. Congress came with a formal declaration of independence written by Jefferson, and is now being recognized as a formal declaration of independence for the people of the United States.
Before independence, some of the colonists had desired complete independence, and those who thought otherwise were considered radical. By the following year, King George the third rallied against the colonies and ordered an increase in the size of the navy and the army (Muehlbauer, 2018). By January 1776, his words reached America, and it strengthened radicals leading to conservatives who pursued reconciliation. A book published by Thomas Paine on Common sense argued on the right for an individual to life. This book sparked the need for independence and the right to be treated in an equal manner.
The declaration of independence had a significant impact on America. For instance, the event ensured that the United States was no longer part of the British Empire. Through this declaration, 13 American states became a new nation and chose a government for themselves. Also, the declaration of independence was a symbol of national unity among Americans (Wills, 2018). This meant that people could gather and celebrate July 4th as the day they were “free” from the British ruling. Today, July 4th is commemorated through fireworks, family gatherings, games, parades, concerts, political gatherings, and other ceremonies that are set up and prepared for this particular day.
Furthermore, the declaration of independence created a chance for the people to govern themselves. This got rid of the possibilities of Kings and authoritative or inherited power to be used. The event ensured that people have a chance to vote in leaders or remove leaders from power. It also ensured that all Americans have equal rights to their rulers (Muehlbauer, 2018). For instance, the right to speech, life, liberty, and freedom of happiness is guaranteed to every American. However, after one year, the American colonies went into war with Great Britain because of the signed document. This was because of the anger and frustration the British Empire had for losing their rule over the 13 states of America.
The Whiskey Rebellion -1794
This rebellion began due to unfair taxation and unjust taxation methods. In 1794, the residence of Western Pennsylvania rose in protest due to unjust taxation and a crisis. The rebellion began in 1791 and ended in 1794; this was during the reign of President George Washington. In 1791, the whiskey tax was imposed on the brewers for their domestic product by the new federal rule. During that time, beer proved difficult to transport because it spoiled easily on the way as compared to rum and whiskey. The distillation of rum in the US has been disrupted during the war for independence in America (Reed, 2016). The distribution and/or consumption of whiskey increased greatly once the revolutionary war had passed. The tax for whiskey production became law in 1791 and was meant to create revenue for the war debt that occurred during the war. The tax was also imposed on the distilled spirits even though the consumption and transport of whiskey was much greater. The farmers, however, distilled rye, wheat, grain, or barley to produce whiskey.
In Western Pennsylvania, the protesters were armed and majorly used violence to prevent the officials from the government from the collected tax imposed on whiskey. In July 1794, the US army arrived and was brutal to the men who had not paid their taxes to the government. Over 500 armed police officers attacked whiskey brewers. Washington, DC, responded immediately to the people of Pennsylvania to try and calm the situation down and enable the people to reach some form of agreement. The whiskey rebellion was to demonstrate that the national government had the opportunity to suppress resistance to its own laws (Bellino, 2018). However, whiskey taxation proved difficult to exercise. During the protests, the units included Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and the west of Pennsylvania. The rebels from Pennsylvania were over 600 against 13000 militia force from Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania that had only ten troops. The results of the peak of the rebels include 30 people killed or died from the accidents and 170 men imprisoned.
A major effect of the Whiskey Rebellion was the strengthening of the trust bond between the federal government and the people of America. The American people witnessed that the federal government was able to keep the union in place and prevent future problems. The American people recognized and praised the efforts of the federal government to act quickly to restore peace and ensure justice was served. The suppression of violence and the restoration of peace was a symbol of the power of the government. Through this rebellion, freedom of speech was formed and added to the list of individual rights (Bellino, 2018). The government ensured that the people were able to speak out their problems rather than keep quiet regarding them and feel suppressed or discriminated from others. The people were also given a chance to talk to their government and give ideas on how they can benefit the people. The American people were given a chance to participate in the decision-making process of the government for its nation. After the protests and the massive destruction it caused, the federal government felt that the people should be given a chance to speak out and that their ideas on improving the states should not be discriminated against.
The rebels also made the federal government draw lines between protests and rebellion. Rebels were not to be tolerated, but the people were allowed to demonstrate peacefully to air out their anger and problems to the national government. The national government believed that the sovereignty of its people had already ratified the US. The people had the right to demonstrate and protest within constitutional means. Any violence and unconstitutional demonstrations would result in jail terms or worse (Reed, 2016). The rebellion also made way for the famers to participate in making laws and vote for laws than waiting to protest or demonstrate against them. This increased the ability to work well with the government of the U.S. In addition, the whiskey, beer, and spirit taxation was given a second consideration.
In conclusion, between the age of discovery and the year 1877, there have been many events in America that has shaped its history and changed its government. Of the major events during this period, two events stand out that have had a significant impact on America. These events are the declaration of independence in 1776 and the whiskey rebellion between 1791 and 1794. These events have changed the government and ruling of the United States. For instance, the declaration of independence gave 13 states of America a chance to rule them-selves and choose their own government. This declared them free from the British colony. The whiskey rebellion was the birth of the freedom of speech. The rebellion ensured that the people are able to participate in the decision making of the national government. In addition, the federal government was able to draw lines between constitutional and unconstitutional rebels/protests/demonstrations in order to maintain peace among the American people.