I decided to write this article about the United States Independence Day in the context of Guyana’s strong and growing bilateral ties with the United States of America. Not only is Guyana a strong trading partner with the US, but we are also a strategic military partner dedicated to maintaining the peace of the Caribbean Region. The United States has repeatedly pledged military support for Guyana in the face of Venezuelan threats to annex the Essequibo. But before 1966, we were owned by Britain and protected by the Royal Forces which was at one point considered the world’s most formidable military. Like the United States, Guyanese also fought for Independence against the British. The Guyanese fight for Independence was a political fight that involved sporadic violence including sabotages of British operations, such as burning down of sugarcane fields, but did not involve any military confrontation between Guyanese rebel forces against the Royal Forces. Such a fight would not have been practical as the colonized had no military organization, training, or weapons to fight the British. The British willingly granted independence to Guyana after a short political struggle.
Americans cited heavy taxation and other forms of oppression as their justification for rebellion. The war for American independence, referred to as the American Revolutionary War, was mostly fought by British Americans who had assumed a new American identity against soldiers loyal to the British crown. The American Revolutionary War was in part instigated and supported by the French who had for centuries had a power struggle against the British Empire. The French government gifted the Statue of Liberty to the American government after the war was won.
Americans claimed they were building a “new nation under God.” The Statue of Liberty symbolized freedom for all peoples of the earth, although there is some speculation as to what the founding fathers of America meant when they said, “all peoples” or “all men.” At the foot of the Statue of Liberty is inscribed the following words:
Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
If the United States hadn’t rebelled against Britain, the British Empire would probably have grown and strengthened into the world’s greatest empire. But why did the Americans decide to free themselves of the British Empire? Was it a wise move? And would the United States of America have been greater if it had remained a British territory? The first of these questions can be answered using historical documentation, but the latter two can only be speculated upon.
On July 4th, every year, Americans celebrate Independence from Britain. The American fight for Independence was a long and bloody war which was fought in the battle fields as well as the doorsteps of American settlers. The Hollywood blockbuster film, the Patriot, starring Mel Gibson, does a good job representing the American struggle for Independence with documentary style realism, although some historians have criticized the accuracy of the historical representation of the said film.
Americans declared themselves independent of the British Empire on July 4, 1776. At that time, the war for Independence was still ongoing and Britain hadn’t yet granted Independence to the colony.
In waging the war for Independence, Americans contributed to the collapse of one of the world’s greatest empires, the British Empire, which was at its height called “the Empire on which the sun never sets.” Speculatively, if British troops had subdued the American rebels, the British Empire would have continued to grow and strengthen and perhaps might have been today the world’s greatest empire with the most formidable military. World War II might have not have happened because Hitler would have been effortlessly held in check by British Forces. Nevertheless, what happened had to have happened. We cannot change that. What we can do is learn from our mistakes of the past and use our past mistakes as stepping stones to help us make better choices for the future.
Combatants: American Patriots Versus British Royalists
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
Isaiah 1:2
The Revolutionary War fulfilled most of the criteria of a civil war. It was a nation divided. However, the Americans after their victory declared themselves a new nation, and did not classify the Revolutionary War as a civil war, but as a war of Americans against British, two separate nations.
The belligerents of the American War for Independence were:
American Patriots: These were mainly British descendants who migrated to the United States and renounced their British Identity. They were supported by the French with minor support from other nations.
British Loyalists: These included British forces and those British-Americans who opposed the rebellion. The British had the support of the native American Indians who actively participated in the war. They also hired German mercenaries to fight against the American patriots.
Justification of War
The United States was colonized by Britain, but American settlers claimed in their historical documentation that the King of England not only failed give substantial support to them, but parasitically “ate of their substance.”
The American Declaration of Independence reads, “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation….”
Below are some of the alleged abuses of King George of England against the American settlers as stated in the US Declaration of Independence.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province (Canada), establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
The US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, takes a toast with Guyana’s President Ali as part of US Independence Celebrations in Georgetown, Guyana, South America. (2024)
Where the word of the king is, there is power, and who can say to the king, “what are you doing?”
Ecclesiastes 8:4
It is interesting to note that, in the bible, when something is very unlikely, but still somewhat possible, it is phrased as a question, not a statement. In Ecclesiastes 8:4, it says, “who can say to the king, ‘what are you doing?'” Challenging the authority of the king is usually a daunting and frightening task. Many people believe that the king was ordained by God. But the Americans did challenge King George of England sparking the war for Independence.
A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Taken from the United States’ Declaration of Independence – drafted on July 4, 1776
The War Inevitable – Instigating War in a Church
American founding father, Patrick Henry, one of the most vehement opponents of the British Empire at the time, made a famed speech at St. John’s Church in Richmond Virginia, USA, on March 23rd, 1775. Now serving as historical record for the American Revolution and the Revolutionary War, “The War Inevitable” speech contains a glaringly hypocritical statement. It reads, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
Founding Father of the United States, Patrick Henry, said, “give me liberty or give me death,” at a time when slavery of Africans was legal and practiced in the United States.
Patrick Henry – Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death
MR. PRESIDENT: No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Riddled with Hypocrisy
The American Declaration of Independence is a nice piece of literature, but it is riddled with hypocrisy. Here are some examples.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
The US Declaration of Independence accused King George of England of preventing the population of the United States by obstructing the laws of nationalization of foreigners. 278 years later, Guyanese, and citizens many other nations, have to pay a hefty non-refundable sum for a “chance” to get a US tourist visa, which is refused most of the time. Becoming a US citizen is almost impossible for many people.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
The US Declaration of Independence reads that “all men are created equal…that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, Liberty and pursuit happiness.” This was written at a time when slavery of Africans was legal and actively practiced in the United States. It wasn’t until about 100 years after, that slavery in the United States was abolished via the Civil War instigated by President Abraham Lincoln. Nevertheless, many people question the true underlying motives of Lincoln for abolishing slavery and what it really accomplished for American of African descent.
Whether the fight for Independence was justified or not, the fact remains that it happened. And if it happened, it had to have happened. The founding fathers of America might not have been perfect, but they did embed some noble principles in young America. They helped to formulate the world’s greatest economy which blossomed into the world’s greatest superpower. The United States for many centuries enjoyed stellar economy success, out of which evolved the rags-to-riches success model whereby Americans, regardless of their initial background of financial status, are encouraged to work their way up the socioeconomic ladder of success. People from diverse nations flocked for centuries to the “great USA” to build a new life and pursue a new dream, and there are countless success stories.
248 years later, many Americans believe that the fabric of American society has deteriorated, and the values nurtured by the founding fathers are slowly being washed away.
Whether you would have been a British sympathizer or an American patriot during the Revolutionary War, on July 4 each year, take a toast and celebrate with your American friends!
