Five Myths Surrounding the American Revolutionary Period

Were New World colonists only upset about high taxes demanded by England, the mother country? Their true issue was taxation without representation, a right of every British citizen. Many colonists were very incensed against an indifferent king who spoke more German than English. Some were angered to the point that their cry was “No king but King Jesus!”

Paul Revere by J.S. Copely, 1768-70 {PD}

We often picture the patriot silversmith, Paul Revere, as a lone rider who yelled, “The British are coming!” to warn the colonists. Since all of them would still be considered British citizens, Revere likely called out something more such as, “The Regulars are coming!” to refer to the red-coated troops. 

And did Revere ride alone? No, in fact two other men, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott, accompanied him on his ride. While Revere was detained near Lexington, Prescott finished the ride in Concord.

Thomas Jefferson, official presidential portrait
by Rembrandt Peale, 1800, {PD}

What about the statement of “separation of church and state?” Was this statement part of the Constitution of the United States? Actually, no! Thomas Jefferson was communicating the point of the federal government not having the right to establish a church (religion) or prohibit the exercise of religion in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association.  

John Hanson, President of the Continental
Congress, c. 1770, {PD}

David Barton of Wallbuilders in his study of the Founding Fathers and their writings determined that the word religions referred to the different Christian denominations. And unlike England, where the government had established the Church of England as the national religion, the United States government was to allow freedom for the individual to choose their own denomination. At the time, though, some states did have their own declared denomination.

John Turnbull's painting of the drafting committee of the Declaration of Independence
presenting their work to Congress, 1819, {PD}

We accept George Washington as the first president of the United States, but did you know that another man held the office for a brief time before Washington? After the Articles of Confederation were ratified, a president was elected in November, 1781 for a one-year presidential term. The man elected was John Hanson, a patriot and politician from Maryland. George Washington was the first president elected after the United States Constitution took effect in 1789. So who was the first president of the United States? You decide!

For more interesting facts surrounding the time of the Revolutionary War, check out these websites:  

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/myths-of-the-american-revolution-10941835/

http://www.breedshill.org/revolutionary_war_myths.htm

http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2016/04/five-myths-about-the-start-of-the-revolutionary-war/

Kathleen Rouser is the author of Rumors and Promises, her first novel about the people of fictional Stone Creek, Michigan, and the novella, The Pocket Watch. She is a longtime member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Kathleen has loved making up stories since she was a little girl and wanted to be a writer before she could even read. She longs to create characters who resonate with readers and realize the need for a transforming Savior in their everyday lives. She lives in Michigan with her hero and husband of 35 years, and the sassy tail-less cat who found a home in their empty nest. Connect with Kathleen on her website at kathleenrouser.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kathleenerouser/, and on Twitter @KathleenRouser.