King George: What Was His Problem?

King George III ascended to the British throne in 1760 at 22 years old following his grandfather George II’s death. He is a figure marked by his stubborn nature and his role in the events leading up to and during the American Revolutionary War. George III’s reign coincided with the costly Seven Years’ War, causing ministerial instability and financial difficulties, leading to policies that would incite colonial unrest: “the British government still needed money. And most leaders still insisted that Britain had every right to tax Americans. King George was especially firm on this point. He was a very stubborn fellow” (6). George III’s insistence on Britain’s right to tax the American colonies, despite widespread protests, epitomized his inflexible approach to colonial governance. This stance, coupled with the decision to maintain a large standing army in the Americas and the imposition of various taxes, exacerbated tensions between Britain and its colonies. These measures directly contributed to events, such as the Boston Tea Party in 1773, which were symptomatic of colonial resistance against British impositions.

The Boston Tea Party and similar events hardened George III’s resolve against colonial insubordination, leading to the implementation of the Intolerable Acts. Instead of restoring control, these actions united the colonies against British rule, sparking the First Continental Congress and the American Revolutionary War. Throughout the conflict, George III’s refusal to concede to colonial demands and insistence on British sovereignty escalated the war. After losing in Boston, King George III declared the colonies in “open rebellion.” This inspired the Declaration of Independence, which accused George III of tyranny.

Britain’s initial wartime successes were overturned by the defeat at Saratoga, leading to France’s alliance with the colonies in 1778, isolating Britain. Despite the apparent futility of the war, George III persisted in fighting for the empire’s survival. Following the defeat at Yorktown, King George III contemplated abdication but was persuaded against this drastic action. Ultimately, the Treaty of Paris recognized American independence and thus George III’s legacy is intrinsically tied to the end of Britain’s colonial rule in America and the emergence of the United States as an independent nation.

During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington served as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Appointed by the Second Continental Congress in 1775, George Washington leveraged his military and political expertise to unite the colonies under the banner of independence.

Washington’s military strategy was characterized by an understanding of the limitations and strengths of his army. Knowing when to defend, attack, or withdraw, he often avoided large-scale confrontations with the British, opting to fortify positions intended to gradually wear down the enemy and sustain the revolutionary spirit. It was during the darkest period of the revolution, following significant losses and the retreat through New Jersey, that Washington delivered decisive blows to the British, thus reigniting American hopes and vigor. Recognizing British vulnerabilities, he targeted Trenton on Christmas night 1776, a paramount victory that boosted American morale and encouraged reenlistments. Washington’s leadership transcended the battlefield. He maintained troop morale and cohesion during the war’s toughest times, notably the harsh winter at Valley Forge, amidst severe supplies shortages. Washington’s leadership ethos, marked by humility, determination, and commitment to the revolution, established a benchmark for American governance and identity, sustaining the cause and bolstering national spirit during the war’s darkest times.

Moreover, his strategic victories, such as at Yorktown, featured his tactical brilliance and ability to leverage alliances. He coordinated with Comte de Rochambeau’s French land forces and the fleet under Admiral de Grasse to trap the British and force surrender at Yorktown. Washington’s actions were instrumental in securing American independence. Thus, Washington’s legacy transcends his American Revolutionary War victories, shaping the nation’s leadership principles and cementing his foundational role in American history.

Benjamin Franklin, a Renaissance man of his era, was 70 years old by the time the American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. A printer, publisher, inventor, scientist, and author, his reputation preceded him as he served as Pennsylvania’s representative to the Second Continental Congress and on the Committee of Five who drafted the Declaration of Independence.

However, it was his clandestine mission to France that marked his most significant contribution to the war effort. Under the guise of a picnic near the Delaware River with his grandsons, Franklin covertly left America for France. This maneuver aimed to leverage Franklin’s esteemed reputation in France to secure support for the American revolutionary cause. The French were willing to consider assistance, contingent upon American successes in 1777, prompting Franklin to settle in Paris.

In France, Franklin’s adept navigation of social and political circles, coupled with his charm and intellect, endeared him to Parisian society. His influence ultimately facilitated French support for the American cause following the American victory at Saratoga. This milestone secured French military aid, crucial at the battle Yorktown, and advanced international acknowledgment of American independence. Franklin’s diplomatic prowess culminated in his key role in negotiating the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which formally ended the American Revolutionary War and established American independence on the global stage. His legacy extends beyond that of a Founding Father to that of the principal architect of a nation’s independence and early international relations. Through strategic acumen and diplomatic genius, Franklin laid the groundwork for the United States’s future standing in the world.