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In reply to the discussion: Why "a free state" as opposed to "the state"? [View all]sarisataka
(21,804 posts)26. Know your history...
The first shot fired were at Lexington and Concord, April 19, 1775.
If you read the history of the Continental Congress https://history.state.gov/milestones/1776-1783/continental-congress
Furthermore, on October 26 {1774}, the delegates drafted a formal petition outlining the colonists' grievances for British King George III. Many delegates were skeptical about changing the kings attitude towards the colonies, but believed that every opportunity should be exhausted to de-escalate the conflict before taking more radical action. They did not draft such a letter to the British Parliament as the colonists viewed the Parliament as the aggressor behind the recent Intolerable Acts. Lastly, not fully expecting the standoff in Massachusetts to explode into full-scale war, the Congress agreed to reconvene in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775.
By the time Congress met again, war was already underway, and thus the delegates to the Second Continental Congress formed the Continental army and dispatched George Washington to Massachusetts as its commander. Meanwhile, Congress drafted the Olive Branch Petition, which attempted to suggest means of resolving disputes between the colonies and Great Britain. Congress sent the petition to King George III on July 8, but he refused to receive it.
By the time Congress met again, war was already underway, and thus the delegates to the Second Continental Congress formed the Continental army and dispatched George Washington to Massachusetts as its commander. Meanwhile, Congress drafted the Olive Branch Petition, which attempted to suggest means of resolving disputes between the colonies and Great Britain. Congress sent the petition to King George III on July 8, but he refused to receive it.
The first resistance was formed, not under the auspices of the Continental Congress but, by the People themselves.
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I don't think the army of the crown wore jackboots in those days but if you're referring to
Nuclear Unicorn
Oct 2015
#3
Certainly they killed British officers and troops as members of a militia or army...
Human101948
Oct 2015
#12
The colonies had no legal authority to appoint them. The colonies belonged to the Crown.
Nuclear Unicorn
Oct 2015
#22
No, they were not unorganized. They were self-organized. Even anarchists do that.
Nuclear Unicorn
Oct 2015
#31
The idea of citizen-militias with rifles defending a 21st century First-World country.
DetlefK
Oct 2015
#6
"...the right of the people to keep and bear explosives shall not be infringed."
DetlefK
Oct 2015
#9
And the purpose of the militia is to secure "a free state" -- not "the state." Hence the OP.
Nuclear Unicorn
Oct 2015
#15
Well, it certainly wouldn't be worth it for their own government to wage war on them.
Nuclear Unicorn
Oct 2015
#29
Do you think you could pacify 80+ million people with over 300 million weapons?
Nuclear Unicorn
Oct 2015
#8
So because the Germans abrogated their basic human decency that gives you the moral authority
Nuclear Unicorn
Oct 2015
#20
"Well, tell me how many militia-men and how many rifles it would take to take down the FBI..."
beevul
Oct 2015
#40
a Free State...a republican gov't. And how it is to remain so, via the Militias.
jmg257
Oct 2015
#44