Summary Of Forced Founder's By Woody Holton

In Woody Holton’s book, “Forced Founder’s,” the traditional idea that the Virginia’s involvement in the revolution was led by the great land owning elite, like George Washington is questioned. Instead, Holton offers the theory that Indians, merchants, slaves, and debtors thrust Virginia into the independence movement, and the gentry’s motives for joining the revolution were those of maintaining power not liberty.
The gentry in Virginia’s positions depended on land and labor and Britain was restricting both. The first example of land restriction can be found in the proclamation of 1763. The proclamation’s vague language lead to poor division of land won in the war. Another example is the rejection of “Treaty of Hard Labor.” After John
I do however disagree that the traditional reason given played no part in Virginia’s involvement. Those who fight in wars often do it for power or glory that is an undeniable truth. But to say that they fought solely for the pursuit would in my opinion be inaccurate. When serving as general of the colonial army Gen. George Washington voluntarily served without pay. Washington owned a business, which could not operate in his absence. After the war when offered the opportunity to assume a monarch type role, Washington declined. Washington may be an extreme example of one man who fought for liberty rather than power, but where there is one there are often more.
Holton’s theory that Indians, merchants, slaves, and debtors thrust Virginia into the independence movement, and the gentry’s motives for joining the revolution were those of maintaining power not liberty. Holton’s book did not disprove the traditional reason for Virginia’s participation in the revolution, but rather shed light on another reason. An accumulation of reasons that lead to revolution, in order to defend colonial rights, the colonists must have power to assert those