A Sense of Unity

During the time between 1750 and 1776 the colonies developed a sense of unity. Although this bond between colonies existed it was stronger in some colonies then in other colonies. There were also people like Benjamin Franklin who tried to promote unity in the colonies through a major business such as newspapers. Many others, such as Edmund Burke fought for the right to self-govern in the colonies. There were also groups like the Continental Congress who tried to gain equal treatment from Parliament for the colonies.

Benjamin Franklin (the founder of the Pennsylvania Gazette and a counselor in the Albany Congress) created a cartoon using a snake’s body that was separated piece by piece. He labeled each piece with the initials of each colony except Delaware and Georgia. This picture represented the colonists and how each colony was separated from one another. Benjamin Franklin created this picture to promote unity in the colonies and to strengthen the common defense against the French. At the bottom of the picture there was a quote which said, “Join, or Die.” This statement clearly showed the French would defeat the colonists because of their disunity and their failure to work together {according to Document A.}.

Since Benjamin Franklin’s cartoon in the paper the unity in the colonies increased, although in some areas the bond between colonies was stronger then in others. In 1774 and 1775 Parliament passed an act called the Boston Port Act. It closed down the Boston Harbor until the damages were paid off and order could be assured. Since the most important port in Boston was closed, there was no way of gaining profit or receiving supplies. Many other colonies soon aided Boston by sending them supplies such as grain, corn, flour, sheep, rice, and even money. These donations were sent to Boston by Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Although some of the colonies sent more goods then others the donations still showed that the colonies were united or becoming united{according to Document G.}.

Many people, such as Edmund Burke and Richard Henry Lee, believed that the colonies must become independent. Edmund Burke believed that since the colonies were separated by the Atlantic Ocean the colonists should be able to rule themselves and have their own form of government. Edmund Burke thought that it was unfair that the colonies were treated like an English town when they had representatives in Parliament {according to Document B.} Richard Henry Lee was the person who developed the concept of the Declaration of Independence. He believed that it was essential that the colonies become independent because of the unfair treatment received from the Parliament. He also stated that the people would do anything necessary to defend their country {according to Document C.}. Although both Edmund Burke and Richard Henry Lee wanted independence some people thought