Shy states the piece with the claim that the governing body must always be the minority and, therefore, persuasion must be the actual factor that rules because “all governors have to support them is opinion” and that no crowd will ever be inspired to political violence due to its immense risk without feeling it is completely necessary. (Chiara)

Armed forces decided the outcome of the American Revolution. The fighting and battlefield success was very important. John Adams said that the estrangement of the colonies and Britain was a key factor in giving the colonies a reason to fight. However, the sentiment was equally divided among British loyalists, Colonists against Britain, and other dissenters who were not from an elite class of colonists. The author wonders whether it was successful because the colonists would not give up or that the British didn’t have the desire to oppose the violence it faced so far from British soil. (Suzanne Ferraro).

The backgrounds of the individuals who fought in the revolution were varied. Most of the hardcore fighters were privates who were poor or lived elsewhere with no fixed address. (Suzanne Ferraro).

The suffering that is commonly associated with being a continental soldier in the American Revolution is actually predominantly attributed to the poorer, lowest class of citizens that were far removed from the society the concept of the lives of great men would have people believe was far larger and more prolific in the revolution than bit actually was. This is because most of that suffering was generated by doing the majority of the harder, less enjoyable labor tasks needed to both maintain an army and win battles. (Chiara)

John Adams observed that the American Revolution was not as clear cut in terms of support, with a third of the population backing the revolution, another third staying loyal to Britain, and the rest being neutral. One of the questions the author raises is: was the revolution driven by the determination of a small group of rebels, or was it a movement supported by the masses? (Connor H)

David Hume believed that force is not taken without a reason. Peter Oliver, who watched the revolution in Boston, explored the motivations behind some soldiers’ decisions to fight against the British. In his book, he interviewed a wounded American lieutenant who admitted that his ego was part of his decision to join the fight. Watching others enlist, he didn't want them to be above him, and he saw opportunities for promotion. (Connor H)

Parliament’s response to the Boston Tea Party motivated Congress to act. It was a harsh law that would have “staggering” consequences in Boston. Congress did not act immediately and go straight to revolution or even boycott as some might have thought. They took days hoping things would cool and a compromise would be reached. (Connor H)

Despite what people may say, what really decided the outcome of the American Revolution was armed force. People argue that the true revolution was intellectual and based on principles, but the actual thing that won America's independence was the armed fighting. (Ezra C.)

What Shy seems to point out is that a lot of the people calling for the revolution weren't a majority of the ones who fought in the war. Only a small percentage who called for war actually fought. Over the course of the war, more moderate individuals started joining, either because of the atrocities they found the British army enacting, or change of opinion. - Emma Galvin

There were also quite a few armed men who believed in the revolution, and fought for independence, but didn't like the way the Continental Army handled things. This would often cause groups of soldiers to break off into their own militias or raiding parties and fighting through small skirmishes or harassment of enemy civilians.- Emma Galvin

Privates in rebel armies were typically poor men with no social standing, the army gave them an opportunity to have a job as well as food despite the harsh difficulties found while serving in the army. Some men who joined the army were referred to as transients, or people who simply wandered without purpose; a small portion of the army population was deserters of the British army who joined rebel forces. (Scarlett)

Revolutionary governments were also dependent on militia groups, sections of men who controlled communities through enforcement and intimidation, what was supposed to be protection transitioned into control. Originally, militias were intended to provide support and protection in times of emergency and the men who ran it were often bribed, persuaded and drafted to become part of it. (Scarlett).

Geographical areas were a major decider in how far enemy forces traveled, in population dense areas such as New England, Pennsylvania and Piedmont Virginia, defense was easily achievable, and British forces were reluctant to engage. Easily accessible regions, such as coastlines, Hudson River, and valleys made it easier for British forces to populate and allow toryisim to flourish. (Scarlett).

After the Boston Tea Party, the parliament had to take a strong position by passing the Boston Port Act. This act had the potential to economically ruin Boston. The citizens were distraught and unsupportive. Radials demand that they should break relations with the rest of the empire and the Moderates did not want any confrontation. Boycotts had worked in the past though and seemed like the best option, but the Moderates later won the debate. (Annie Feck)