Our American Revolution series has reached the tense summer of 1775—a time when the Continental Congress was doing two things at once: sending polite petitions to King George III and loading muskets for battle.
In our latest installment, we cover the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, which laid out why the colonies were fighting—without yet calling for independence. Just one day before, Congress had sent the Olive Branch Petition, hoping to reconcile with the Crown even as war was already underway. It was a calculated double move: diplomacy in one hand, determination in the other.
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Through these documents, we see the founders’ remarkable patience—their willingness to endure insults and injuries before making a clean break—and the moment they decided liberty was worth the fight. In our own day, Americans face a similar tension: enduring an unresponsive government while still hoping for correction.
Next up: King George III makes his own declaration. On August 23, 1775, he formally proclaimed the colonies to be in open rebellion, turning a war of words into a war for independence.
Catch up on the series here and follow the story as we march toward America’s 250th anniversary.
Follow Jared Gould on X, and for more articles on the American Revolution, see our series here.
Art by Beck & Stone
Remember that this was also a civil war amongst Americans.
Understand it in the context of the Trial of Socrates — the established clique seeing power shifting and their base shifting away under their feet.