Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What finally pushed the colonies to declare independence?
In the 27th and final grievance of the Declaration of Independence, Dr. C.C. Borzilleri examines the colonists’ belief that Britain had failed to protect them and had instead deepened instability across the colonies.
This grievance references two major fears in the Revolutionary era: the threat of frontier violence and fears of insurrections among enslaved populations. It also contains language about Native Americans that is offensive today and reflects the prejudices and attitudes of the 18th century.
The video places these issues in historical context, including Lord Dunmore’s 1775 proclamation offering freedom to enslaved people who joined the British side during the war.
At the heart of the grievance was a larger question: what is government supposed to do? Colonists believed governments existed to provide protection and security. By 1776, many Americans believed Britain had failed to uphold its side of that relationship.
For the colonies, this grievance represented the final breakdown of the imperial relationship and the final step toward declaring independence.
This is the final part of our 27-part series breaking down every grievance that led to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence.
Explore more:
billofrightsinstitute.org/constitution-day
#DeclarationOfIndependence #Grievance27 #AmericanRevolution #USHistory #Civics #LordDunmore #RevolutionaryWar
What finally pushed the colonies to declare independence?
In the 27th and final grievance of the Declaration of Independence, Dr. C.C. Borzilleri examines the colonists’ belief that Britain had failed to protect them and had instead deepened instability across the colonies.
This grievance references two major fears in the Revolutionary era: the threat of frontier violence and fears of insurrections among enslaved populations. It also contains language about Native Americans that is offensive today and reflects the prejudices and attitudes of the 18th century.
The video places these issues in historical context, including Lord Dunmore’s 1775 proclamation offering freedom to enslaved people who joined the British side during the war.
At the heart of the grievance was a larger question: what is government supposed to do? Colonists believed governments existed to provide protection and security. By 1776, many Americans believed Britain had failed to uphold its side of that relationship.
For the colonies, this grievance represented the final breakdown of the imperial relationship and the final step toward declaring independence.
This is the final part of our 27-part series breaking down every grievance that led to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence.
Explore more:
billofrightsinstitute.org/constitution-day
#DeclarationOfIndependence #Grievance27 #AmericanRevolution #USHistory #Civics #LordDunmore #RevolutionaryWar
