Ahead of the No Kings protests, it’s worth remembering that America’s resistance to monarchy didn’t start in the streets—it started with words. George Washington’s 1777 “Manifesto of America” still speaks to what it means to defy tyranny. Below is a summary followed by the article in full. Read it. Share it.
George Washington’s Manifesto Against Monarchy
In 1777, George Washington wrote “The Manifesto of America” as a direct response to British Gen. John Burgoyne’s proclamation defending the authority of the British crown. Washington’s written reply reframed the conflict, describing the Revolution not as an act of rebellion but as a stand against tyranny.
“The associated armies of America act from the noblest motives,” he wrote. “Their common object is liberty; their common principle, defiance of tyranny.”
Defying the Rule of Kings
Washington rejected the idea that any nation should live under the rule of a king, arguing that America’s fight was for self-governance and the rights of all people. He said the cause of America was “the cause of all men,” and that its soldiers fought “not merely in defence of their own rights, but in defence of the rights of human nature.”
A Call for Liberty That Still Resonates
The Manifesto helped define the moral foundation of the Revolution, positioning it as a fight for freedom over submission. More than two centuries later, Washington’s message still resonates: liberty belongs to the governed, not kings.
More “No Kings” Articles
Feel free to also read and share these articles.
“Rules for Kings” Rinds Virginia Gazette (January 21, 1773)
“Monarchy” Aurora General Advertiser (January 30, 1793)
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