The American Revolution was one of the greatest acts of providence in terms of its long term affect on the course of history.
We quote here the words of Benjamin Franklin at age 81 (far beyond the average lifespan at that time) which he stated to the Constitutional Convention in June 1787:
“… In the beginning of the contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. … And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance. I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that “except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: … I therefore beg leave to move—that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service.” [171]
Here are some of the acts of providence that brought about the success of the revolution:
1) The genius and brilliance of Benjamin Franklin who simultaneously negotiated with the British to repeal a tax, while also stoking the flames of patriotism in the populace, and also negotiating an alliance with France who gained very little in the war – but whose help to the colonists was crucial, and then Franklin negotiated another treaty with the British again at the conclusion of the war. The person of Benjamin Franklin who was a brilliant inventor, statesman, politician, and negotiator to the cause of the colonists was arguably as great an asset as a powerful army.
2) The fact that the French made an alliance with the colonists which almost bankrupted their country and from which they gained very little – United States declared neutrality in their disputes with the British in 1793, and in fact, the strong trade that France was hoping would materialize with the colonists never did materialize and went to the British instead! – was a crucial factor in the success of the revolution, and was in fact shocking that most of the French people would support it!
3) The fact that the United States was able to finance the war was a miracle. In fact, they never did finance it, as many soldiers never got paid in currency worth what it promised, and a few private colonial citizens loaned the United States government a whopping sum of money which was never repaid – most notable was Haim Salomon.
4) The victory over British General Burgoyne. He designed an invasion scheme and was appointed to command a force moving south from Canada to split away New England and end the rebellion. The American victory was made possible due to a series of coincidences: a) his slow movement allowed the Americans to concentrate their forces. b) The British army in New York disregarded the overall plan and instead of coming to his aid, they moved south to capture Philadelphia. This led Burgoyne to be surrounded and trapped by superior American forces near Saratoga. Then, with no relief in sight, Burgoyne surrendered his entire army of 6,200 men on 17 October 1777. His surrender, says historian Edmund Morgan, “was a great turning point of the war, because it won for Americans the foreign assistance which was the last element needed for victory”.[1]
