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 pro-independence radicals can be considered rational if each group considered the costs and benefits of the decision and speculated about the future effects. It was a strategic decision to achieve their common goal of defeating the British. The alliance helped to mobilize resources, manpower, and capital, which were all critical to win the war. The pre-Revolutionary elite may have anticipated some of the consequences of allying with radical groups, but they likely weighed the potential benefits of independence over the potential risks to their interests. Therefore, it can be said that the decision was a rational one.

In Hindsight, the Decision of New England Merchants and Southern