Charles I

[Aaron]

Funny how these Yankee-Doodle-Dandies are so keen for us Brits to be saddled with an absolute monarchy and the Divine Rights of Kings. Weren't so damn eager for it for themselves, as I recall.

Bleedin' hypocrites.   

In high school my AP American History teacher instructed the class to write a short paper explaining the causes of the rebellion and why it was justified. I shocked the teacher by being the only student (ever in his career) who actually argued that it was unjustified. He gave me an A, but he did call me a "Tory creep". 

[joroas]

I shocked the teacher by being the only student (ever in his career) who actually argued that it was unjustified. He gave me an A, but he did call me a "Tory creep

Yay, good on you.  What you thought we would defend you from the natives for free? 

The republic was founded on a lie, all men are created equal-  what hypocricy in a slave owning country that went on to steal the natives' land after they killed them?  Charles doesn't look to bad now

[Galloping Major]

In high school my AP American History teacher instructed the class to write a short paper explaining the causes of the rebellion and why it was justified. I shocked the teacher by being the only student (ever in his career) who actually argued that it was unjustified. He gave me an A, but he did call me a "Tory creep". 

Good man Aaron, standing up for your point of view - and often the best course to swim against the tide of general acceptance of the popularly received view - more likely to stand out that way, as long as they don't drown you first  

To be fair, George III was nothing like the absolute monarch Charles I wanted to be - thanks to the English Revolution in the C17th.  

[Aaron]

Honestly I didn't do it to shock or stand out. I always thought it was amazingly cheeky of us. Washington starts the war while trying to steal land to speculate on, Britain foots the bill, and then the colonists have the nerve to gripe when asked to pay for a (very small) part of it. I know that is a gross simplification, but for crying out loud we were still paying far less in taxes than the folks back home in Britain.

[Plynkes]

I tend to see the American Revolution as less about Mel Gibson-style teary-eyed FREEDOM! and TYRANNY! and all that rot, and more like a disagreement between friends over dividing up a restaurant bill (that got a bit out of hand).

[Galloping Major]

Honestly I didn't do it to shock or stand out. I always thought it was amazingly cheeky of us. Washington starts the war while trying to steal land to speculate on, Britain foots the bill, and then the colonists have the nerve to gripe when asked to pay for a (very small) part of it. I know that is a gross simplification, but for crying out loud we were still paying far less in taxes than the folks back home in Britain.

Actually, that sumes it up extremely well, GW even cleared off for a while until he thought he could start making good on his dodgy "investments". But let's not forget, we were all British citizens then 

[Galloping Major]

I tend to see the American Revolution as less about Mel Gibson-style teary-eyed FREEDOM! and TYRANNY! and all that rot, and more like a disagreement between friends over dividing up a restaurant bill (that got a bit out of hand).

Brilliantly put Plynkes 

[Aaron]

I tend to see the American Revolution as less about Mel Gibson-style teary-eyed FREEDOM! and TYRANNY! and all that rot, and more like a disagreement between friends over dividing up a restaurant bill (that got a bit out of hand).

Best summary of the AWI I have ever seen!