Final answer:
By the 'eve' of the Revolution, the colonists had developed a sense of their identity and unity as Americans through their opposition to Great Britain and the establishment of government structures for the states and the nation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that by the 'eve' of the Revolution, the colonists had developed a sense of their identity and unity as Americans, is valid.
Throughout the Revolutionary War, American colonists united in their opposition to Great Britain, despite their diverse economic and social backgrounds. The signing of the Declaration of Independence exemplifies the spirit of this common cause. Additionally, the war provided an opportunity for Americans to put the ideas of the Declaration of Independence into practice and address political and economic problems that had emerged under the British system.
This shift towards an American identity can be attributed to a growing sense of nationalism during the war and the recognition by American leaders that patriotism alone would not suffice, leading them to lay out government structures for the states and the nation.