To truly understand the roots of struggle in early America, we must first understand how and where the struggle began. As Skinner describes in her book, the battle that the pioneers fought did not even begin here in America. The pioneers of early America were actually immigrants from such countries as Ireland, Scotland and Germany who came to America in search of independence.

Yet, "religious persecution was only one of the influences which shaped the course and formed the character of the Ulster Scots." (Skinner, p.5) There were also legislative acts put in place by their government which infringed on their rights as citizens. The acts damaged the woolen trade, made it impossible for nonconformists to hold any kind of public office and also began heavy taxes and higher rentals for land that their fathers had utilized and made fruitful.

The Ulstermen literally had enough...