"Defying Authority: The Unlikely Roots of American Independence. A new analysis reveals that two fundamental American values, which may seem contradictory to outsiders, were instrumental in driving the country's fight for independence. The first, a strong aversion to being told what to do by those perceived as superior, is often cited as a hallmark of American individualism. However, it's the second trait, a fierce resistance to being silenced, that may be just as crucial in understanding the nation's revolutionary spirit. By examining the role of free speech and dissent in shaping American history, experts are shedding new light on the complex forces that fueled the American Revolution and continue to influence the country's politics today."
Two distinctly American traits that powered the Revolution: We don't like being told what to do by our supposed betters, and we really don't like being told to shut up.
