In hindsight, the decision of New England merchants and Southern planters to ally with small farmers, shopkeepers, and other pro-independence radicals to defeat the British seems puzzling as the balance of power in post-Revolutionary America shifted in favor of the radicals and threatened the interests of the pre-Revolutionary elite.However, the decision of the merchants and planters to join forces with the radicals may be considered __________ if each group considered the costs and benefits of the decision and speculated about future effects.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The decision of the New England merchants and Southern planters to ally with small farmers, shopkeepers, and other pro-independence radicals was rational because they weighed the costs and benefits of their decision and speculated on future effects. They knew that defeating the British and gaining independence would benefit them in the long run, even if it meant losing some of their power in the short term. Therefore, their decision to join forces with the radicals was a calculated one and can be considered rational.

In Hindsight, the Decision of New England Merchants and Southern