I am confused? Why did we fight the Revolutionary War?

[kentuck]

Why did we decide to break away from England and the throne?

Today, they are probably our strongest ally in the world. We love to hear the British talk on the radio and television. Their voices have a tone of authority. And we love PBS when they have the British mystery series on for several weeks.

And why do the British still call us the "colonies"? It's almost like a wink to their fellow British that they will let the Americans think they won the Revolutionary War. But they know better. There is a sense of arrogance about them that I could see why George Washington and Patrick Henry were so pissed off.

But here we are, almost two and a half centuries later, glorifying the future tyrant of the British empire. Oh, but we don't know that he will be a tyrant! No, we don't. He may be as harmless as Prince Charles. Let us forget about all the poor babies born into this world and worship one that is born to royalty. It is so American. I'm sure the revolutionaries would agree...

[Orrex]

1. Wow. And I thought that *I* was angry about nothing.

[loli phabay]

2. you know that pretty much most brits couldnt care less about the revolutionary war

In fact its probuably not even a big topic in school, the colonies thing is called humour pretty much the same kind of stuff as yanks, limeys, pomies, jocks, paddys, scousers etc. I really would not get to worked up about it.

[Lizzie Poppet]

3. So that people could conflate being interested in a future ceremonial "monarch" with...

So that people could conflate being interested in a future ceremonial "monarch" with glorifying actual tyranny.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. This crown is not that crown, in any way shape or form

while parliament had some power in 1776... these days the Crown has almost no power.

[kentuck]

5. Therefore?

It is OK to glorify the crown now?

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. I don't think either of us is

that said, this crown has a sense of noblesse oblige (William serves as a rescue pilot in the Royal Air force) and has been in multiple rescues. That is not a cushy job, that our wealthy, if you will our nobility, lacks.

I like to see them as a symbol, not something to be admired. but that noblesse obliged. can you imagine oh Paris Hilton actually risking her life? I can't. And William is not doing that for the glory either. He is doing it because all of them have served since William the Conqueror. But this kid, this baby... he is not going to become anybody's tyrant... that is a reality check. The Prime Minister has a better chance.

As to the special relation, it goes to first WW I, but truly WW II, why they are the Junior partner in the American Empire.

[kentuck]

8. I would agree that it is symbolic.

But it not a symbolism that I would wish to indulge in. I detest the symbolism of royalty almost as much as the "real" thing.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. You know all I got from this?

A piece of trivia that has buckus to do with royalty. They were wrong by the way. But those were the factors that increase your chances of having a girl. No I am not kidding. News is in background all the time, these days occupational hazard. And one day, during the morning, that perked my ears.

[jberryhill]

7. You fought in the Revolutionary War?

I knew there were some older DUers, but I had no idea there was any "we" here who fought the Revolutionary War.

[kentuck]

9. What do you mean, "we"?

White man?

[pinboy3niner]

12. That explains why his C.I.B. is so dusty...

...and his Purple Hearts are wooden.

[ZombieHorde]

11. We didn't fight the Revolutionary War.

Different culture, different interpretation of law, different world view, completely different lifestyle, etc. Our label and geographical location are pretty much the same, but that is it. Modern-day Americans have more in common with modern-day British folks than with the Founding Fathers.

[kentuck]

13. Oh...

Thanks for the explanation.

[ZombieHorde]

18. I don't know why, but that made me laugh. nt

[Boudica the Lyoness]

17. I always thought the founding fathers were British

At least one was born in England and I believe all the others were also British, because they were born in a British colony. I would have thought they didn't become 'American' until after the war.

I'm going to delve into this........

[loli phabay]

19. good points, i never thought of that.

[geek tragedy]

14. So their PM has to kiss our President' ass.

And it's his ass, not his arse.

[leftstreet]

15. Because rich people didn't want to pay taxes?

[kiva]

16. Damned if I know.

If we'd lost we'd have universal health care now.

[ieoeja]

20. Colonists had fewer protections from the tyranny and incompetence of King George III.

Also, for the North the Anglo-Saxon/Norman divide was still very strong. So the North was populated with Anglo-Saxons seeking to escape the British Empire in the first place.

Conversely, the South was run by Normans seeking to expand the British Empire carving out new baronies for themselves. Once it was realized how expansive North America was, the Crown realized he could end up with powerful contendors for the throne. So he forbade expansion which turned the South against him as well.


For a Cliff's Notes version of the tyranny and incompetence, you could read the Declaration of Independance. And just plain incompetence coupled with indifference was a huge part of it.


We just had a recent comparison. A portion of Obamacare wasn't going to be ready in time because businesses believed the GOP's sky-in-the-pie promises to overturn Obamacare and waited until this year to start preparations. Should Obama go through with it and throw the economy into turmoil?

No, he did the right thing and gave them an extension. Crisis averted.

The Stamp Act of 1765 did not give the sole company authorized to produce the stamped paper time to double production and establish a global distribution system (it was already in use in the British Isles). Again, the right thing to do was give an extension. Did they?

No, they ordered immediate enforcement of the law ignoring the fact that the stamped paper didn't even exist! The results were ... bad.

The list goes on. The Southern Department of the British government during those years was just horrible.

[Motown_Johnny]

21. For The GUNS!!!