Analysis Of The Revolutionary War By Woody Holton

When discussing the Revolutionary War, Americans often attribute the primal cause to the oppression from British government. Although early revolutionaries felt pressure from the British leaders, this is not the sole tinder igniting the fire of independence; rather, over-looked forces brought about the patriots declaration for independence. This is the thrust of Woody Holton’s argument. He presents his argument by examining specific people groups—Indians, tobacco farmers, slaves—and their interactions with Virginian gentry. Additionally, he explores how the impact of specific events impacted not only the socio-economic state of pre-revolutionary America, but also its impact on Virginians. In the first section, Holton shows how the Indians

In the spring of 1769, Virginian gentry initiated a boycott against British goods. Although not initially popular, boycotting importation of foreign goods both in 1769 and 1774 provided double-fold opportunity for Virginian. First, Virginians struggled against the Coercive Act set forth by Parliament. Banning importation of goods aided in the elimination of the oppressive laws. Similarly, nonimportation did not allow Virginian gentry to satisfy their lavish British lifestyle, thus, providing an opportunity for Virginian gentry to lower their debt. Additionally, in 1773, tobacco prices reached a staggering low. Tobacco farmers could not afford to export their goods. Thus, the farmers decided to hold their tobacco in efforts to raise the price. Surprisingly, the withholding of tobacco did not skyrocket the price; rather, in 1774, tobacco farmers desired to switch from tobacco to a different crop, thus creating a shortage of tobacco. The withholding tobacco movement soon grew, eventually forming crop-withholding associations. Although the tobacco withholding initially sought to raise tobacco prices, William and Arthur Lee foresaw boycott for political potential. Urging the famers to cease exportation aided in pushing against the recently mandated Boston Port Act; rework the tobacco industry; and provide political a political agenda for the tobacco

Many colonists saw both the negative and positive sides of independence. While some did not want freedom from Britain, others violently pushed for it. After all the events discussed and the affects on the colonists, the Virginia gentry’s knew the people wanted independence. However, declaring independence meant initiating a government. The lower-class Virginian pushed for a government in which their voice was heard. Debating the new form of government the colonies would institute, Virginian Gentlemen grew wary of allowing the lower-class power and a voice. The lower-class might rebel or ursurp the gentry’s authority and possibly take their wealth. Nonetheless, with the publishing of Common Sense by Thomas Paine, all Virginians began to recognize the power of forming a government ruled by the