Rise To Rebellion: A Novel of the American Revolution

At its height, the British Empire spans continents, from Africa to Australia, from North America to Asia, and all points in between. Its mighty navy is the gold standard of sea power, a key asset to the maintenance and oppression of its colonies. This far-flung empire is ruled by a single monarch and a governing body from a tiny island in the north Atlantic. At the time of the American Revolution, the British Empire has existed intact for nearly 200 years. They are accustomed to the world bowing before their king and his every dictate. The colonies, however, have other ideas, and when radicals like Sam Adams and Patrick Henry refuse to accept the king’s policies, the empire’s very identity as a global superpower is challenged. England operates under the supposition that sufficient force is the answer to every problem, even if that force is abusive and unwarranted. When Gage—and later, Howe—cannot squash the rebellion, Admiral Graves takes it upon himself to destroy entire coastal towns, as if the might of the English Navy will reduce the colonies to a subservient, quivering mass. In fact, the opposite is true—the brutality only hardens their resolve against tyranny. England is so inured to the consequences of its oppression that it cannot fathom a resistance movement that is not cowed by its brute strength.

The abuse of power by global empires is practically inevitable: A familiar pattern takes hold of the empire’s ruling class, as well as its citizens. Author and research scientist George Tsakraklides notes:

As they grow and expand, all civilizations are easily deceived by their own momentum. After reaching a certain size they become arrogant enough to call themselves ‘empires.’ A web of narratives is woven to reassure citizens that the all-powerful empire will never fail” (Tsakraklides, George. “The Arrogance of Empire.” Tsakraklides.com, 2022).

The king and his ministers believe in the infallibility of their empire, a mythic power which has been so ingrained into the minds of its own citizens, they see their leaders as beyond question. The radical experiment taking place in the colonies challenges the notion that monarchs can never be questioned, replacing it with the necessity of questioning those in power and the inalienable right to voice grievances. Of course, what the colonists see as an abuse of power, the crown sees as its right. The conflicting narratives—absolute rule versus the rights of citizens to rule themselves—are so starkly in opposition that armed conflict cannot be avoided. Men like Sam Adams see historical patterns, and they know that an empire is by nature oppressive and will never yield unless forced to do so.