Part 1 of Essay
In practise the American colonies were self governing in 1776 ». If this is so why did they feel the need to declare independence in 1776. Whether the colonies were independent by 1776 is a question with numerous aspects that historians have debated over the last 300 years and which comes to the inevitable conclusion ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... as Perry suggests a « light touch and with little or no control ». The colonies all had a different degree of independence so that some were more or less inclined to declare independence in 1776. Connecticut and Rhode Island, the charter colonies, enjoyed considerable independence. There was an annual election for a governor and key officials including judges in Rhode Island so that there was a minimum of interference from Britain, this situation can be described as a sort of Republic. Maryland, Pennsylvani ....