Discuss the efforts of colonial American rebels to achieve not only political but economic and cultural independence from the mother country.

One of the best ways the American colonists tried to achieve economic and cultural independence was through boycotting British goods. Women were quite instrumental in this as they controlled the daily upkeep of the household. Colonists started to wear homespun clothes rather than rely on British materials, and they even adapted by drinking tea made from native plants rather than take on the British tea. Colonists also started to create their own styles of furniture. One could tell who was a patriot by looking at one's clothing; clothing made at home looked differently than that made in Britain. This created one of the first "buy American" movements.
Another way that the colonists achieved cultural independence was through the media. Colonists had long trained their own ministers in colonial colleges, and many of these ministers spoke out against British abuses of power. The American newspaper editors often had a strong anti-British view that they were not afraid to share with a readership who wanted to hear these opinions. Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac was designed to be folksy and provide local news and events more than those of Europe. This allowed for the colonists to start to view themselves less as "British" and more as "Americans."