The unification of the thirteen colonies into one nation was a slow gradual process. It took many years and attempts by the patriots to unify the colonies. By the eve of the revolution the colonists had to a great extent developed a sense of their identity and unity as Americans.
Many attempts at unification were made even before the idea of rebelling against England came about. Benjamin Franklin tried to unify the colonies as early as 1754 under the Albany Plan of Union. He wanted the colonies to be ready with one strong army to defend themselves against the enemy. Though his plan was never carried out, the idea was reflected in later activity. From one of his cartoons published in the Pennsylvania Gazette, as shown in docu