[mikester]

In looking at the begining of american history; that is to say the efforts of the colonies to separate from england what seems to have been the largest driver of that separation was trade.

As a Colony the Americas could ONLY trade with England; as a free country they could trade as they saw fit. Those original efforts were intended to secure neutral trade agreements where the seas (the primary conduit for trade) were as free for American ships as they were for British, French and Spanish ships.

The other driving factor was the desire to remain 'neutral' in Europe's affairs. France and Britain were constantly scrapping as well as many other little kingdoms and being wise they saw that the money on those bets was in the trade and not the fighting. Being neutral could pay off.

Of course...it didn't last...more to come...