The growth of political unity began with the Albany Congress of 1754. Their main purpose was to achieve a stronger unity between the colonies and reinforce the common defense against France. Ben Franklin's well-devised scheme, adopted by the Albany delegates (out of the 13 colonies, delegates from only 7 showed up), proved to be disappointing. The individual colonies felt it didn't give them enough independence, and England felt it gave the colonists too much.

Colonial unity began to grow at the end of the French and Indian War. Britain felt that the colonies should help pay for part of the cost of war. The existing laws of the Navigation Acts and Writs of Assistance were now being enforced, thus ending salutary neglect. In addition, the Sugar Act of 1764 was passed. This increased the duty on imported sugar. Angry colonists protested this act and the duties were lowered, along with their agitation. Their resentment came back a year later when the dreaded Stamp Act was passed. This a

As the colonists resistance grew, so did colonial unity. In 1772 Sam Adams formed the committees of correspondence. Over 80 towns set up these organizations to spread propaganda and information by letters. Within time every colony had a central government through which it could exchange ideas and information with other colonies.

In April of 1775, the Boston British commander ordered the arrest of the rebel colonial leaders John Hancock and Sam Adams, and the seizure of colonial military supplies. But the colonists were forewarned and put up a defense. When the British troops arrived at Lexington, a small battle broke out and eight minute men were killed. The British weren't fazed, until they reached Concord. Faced with murderous gunfire from the Americans, the British were forced to retreat. The Battle of Lexington and Concord signified the beginning of the war.

The political unity of the colonists was weak at the beginning when the Albany Congress met in 1754. As Britain began to tighten the reigns on the colonies through taxes and laws, the Americans anger and resentment toward England helped to bring them together.

Although the colonists were now fighting with England, unity was still weak. That is until one man wrote the pamphlet that changed everything. It was called "Common Sense", written by Thomas Paine. He argued persuasively that it was common sense for America to break away from England and gain independence. Paine convinced many Americans that this was the only sensible thing to d

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1027
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)