A Prelude to Revolution

The American Revolution, and subsequent War for Independence came about through the confluence of several converging ideological strains. One of the chief ideological drivers of the American Revolution was Whig Ideology, which drew heavily on John Locke's understanding of natural law, synthesized with romantic historic notions of free Anglo-Saxons. This mental framework in which much of the revolutionary generation considered their liberties was evident also in the colonial backcountry. The colonial backcountry was populated by diverse ethnic groups, but was dominated by the recently arrived Scots-Irish. These clannish warrior farmers from the north of Ireland ultimately broke out in open rebellion in several locations in the decade leading up to the War for Independence. Through close examination of three of these vigilante movements, the ideologies and motivations of these Scots-Irish can be properly placed within the context of the overall American Revolution.