#reference3

There were too many other conflicts happening elsewhere that were far more important to the British Empire than scrappy American rebels who would have gotten crushed if not for the fact that British armies and resources were being directed to other places. There is very little chance the Continental Army would have seen victory if not for Parliament’s ambivalence toward the colonies in general and dismissal of the rebels as a real threat. (This is a drastic over simplification, of course, but the gist is true to the best of my knowledge).

But that’s not what America tells himself, is it?

America knew at the time that he was being underestimated, not being taken seriously and he had probably known that for awhile.

(I could make another argument that America has always represented what would become the United States and had no people of his own until 1776. The colonists were British and saw themselves as such, wanted to be treated as full citizens--until it became clear that wasn’t going to happen and they transformed and became America’s... but that’s for another post perhaps.)

Regardless of whether or not he had any romantic feelings for England, being treated with so little importance or consideration would have made him angry. He wouldn’t want to remember that.

After the war, the newly-formed Congress was a disaster. America almost didn’t make it. He probably felt that in his bones. He probably felt like he was being torn apart from the inside out.

So how could he keep it all together? Mythology... or more accurately, propaganda. “Founding Fathers” who actually made him who he is. Larger than life figures who persisted against all good sense, who prevailed against all odds, who beat back the oppressive British forces in the name of liberty.

Who were important enough that England actually cared. Who had him on his knees in the rain, devastated and defeated.

But he was never even there.

Do I think England (Arthur) cared? Yes, actually, I think he cared quite a lot, but I already wrote a fic about that.