american revolution-world history

8/10/2019 American Revolution-world history

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American Revolution

Background

Columbus discovered America in 1492, in 1607 British issued license to London

Corporation & Ports Ma to trade and gradually 13 colonies were established in Atlantic

coast by 1750.

13 Colonies- Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut,

Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Hampshire, New York

and Rhode Island.

Characteristic of American People

Social

Composition

90% of population from British Origin, rest was French, Spanish, and

Portuguese etc.

Not Attached to motherland as some were exiled by punishment,

forcibly moved due to economic, polity, religious, social & other

factors.

Economic Advancement in Agriculture with growth of Industries &

establishment of Institutions. Sensitive attachment with hard earned resources by facing

numerous geographical (Heavy rainfall-dense forest, Fertility of

land-hard American Grass etc.) and political constraints (fought

with Red Indians).

Political Developed Polito-administrative institutions having legislature,

Beaurocratic machinery, administrative practice in all 13 colonies

Cultural Freedom Loving-Liberty, Progressive in outlook

Believe in liberal ideas like Constitution, Rule of Law, Natural rights,

Democratic Polity, Parliamentary system, Separation of Powers

etc.

Nature of British Colonial Rule in America

With Begin in 1607 (London Corp & Ports Ma) all colonies were under British Rule.

Liberal Colonial Rule till 1763 as:

(a)Britishers were apprehensive of that rigid Colonial rule may lead to Americans

joining hand with France.

(b)it was practically difficult to control over Atlantics

(c)Americans were from British Origin & Colonial Rule was a matter of prestige

for Britishers.

Liberal Colonial Rule-Indicators

(a)

Tax burden on Americans< Tax Burden on Britishers in Britain.

(b)

Cost of Military sanctioned was paid by Britain.(c)

Navigation Act, 1651 and 1663 was not applied rigidly.

Role of France

Before War-All colonies of America were apprehensive of attacks by French

(Canada being French Colony) and similarly British were apprehensive of that

rigid Colonial rule may lead to Americans joining hand with France. That is why


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Britishers were having Liberal Colonial Rule and Americans had accepted the

rule due to Security provided by Britishers.

War 1756-63- Between Britain & France in which Britain became Victorious

leading to capturing of Canada under British Rule but burdened with heavy

Financial Cost.

After War- Americans were no more dependent on Britain for their safety & even

nominal colonial rule became unbearable. British govt. was feeling safe and

desiring to tighten Colonial Rule and recover the burdened cost of war against

Americans safety.

Causes of American Revolution

1.

American Capitalism Vs. British Mercantilism

By middle of 18thCentury trade & commerce, Plantation Industry, Leather

work, textile, Shipping etc. had been developed in America.

British were following Mercantilist policy with exploitation of colonial

resources for promoting own economic interest with maintaining

favorable balance of trade. British Mercantilism was depicted from following instances:

(a)Certain goods like tobacco, rice, leather works, Iron & steel were

restricted to be exported only to Britain.

(b)After 1763, Navigation Act was started being applied rigidly which

provides for shipping of cargos only in British Ships leading to Britishers

monopoly and charging excessive prices

(c)A number of new taxes were imposed after 1763.

This Mercantilist approach of British was an obstacle before growth of American

Capitalism which resulted in outbreak of American Revolution.

2. Geographical Constraint

Distance from Britain has created the Americans as independent which was

hard to overcome. With passing of French invasion into oblivion ultimately

resulted into revolution.

3. Political Factors

Repressive policies of Governors in colonies have resulted in repulsion and

revenge of Americans which ultimately resulted into revolution.

4.

Economic Factors

Burdening of Americans by various taxes and restrictions to recover British cost ofwar has resulted into outbreak of revolution.

5.

Religious Factors

British were Christian and Americans were Puritanism

6.

Ideological Factors

Ideological movement called American Enlightenment was precursor to

American Revolution. These ideologies based on concept of liberalism,


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republicanism, fear of corruption. Widespread of these ideas has also resulted

into outbreak of Revolution.

Course of Events

No Taxation without Representation Vs. Virtual Representation

It was opposition on levy of taxes by British Parliament on colonist.

It was based on the logic of English Revolution in 17 thcentury which established

parliament as the supreme power to make law. Parliament is an elected body

representing people and Americans were of the view that Americans are not

represented in the Parliament so it does not have power to impose taxes on

Americans.

British were of view that Member of Parliament virtually represents whole empire

so there was no need to have separate representation from each colony.

Taxation law opposed by colonist includes: Navigation Acts, Molasses Act,

Currency Act, Stamps Act, Townshend Act, Tea Act etc.

In 1773 all acts were repealed except tea act

Boston Tea Party

In 1773, Lord North formulated a Tea Policy in which Americans were required

to pay negligible additional tax and allowing exports of tea directly from

India/china godowns of East India Co. It was opposed by Americans due to :

(a)Cheap tea was very competitive with local tea producers.

(b)Negligible additional tax was perception as exploitation of American

colonies.

In December 1773 on arrival of tea in harbor of Boston, a group of American

youths, disguised as Indian boarded the tea ship and tea bags were poured into

sea. This event is known as Boston Tea party.

Further Britishers as a punitive measure imposed two act called as IntolerableAct:

(a)Boston Port Act- Boston Port was closed.

(b)Massachusetts Government Act- Deprived of right to elect representative in

assembly etc.

General Congress at Philadelphia

Reacting to the Intolerable Acts, a congress was convened by the colonies to

decide future course of action.

Congress issued declaration stating

(a)Acts passed by British Govt. were infringement of their basic rights

(b) Forbidding of import of goods from England till grievance is resolved

Revolutionary War

Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia on May 1775 and declared

themselves as Government.

With end of chance of compromise they adopted Declaration of

Independence on 4thJuly 1776.

In 1778 France entered war to take revenge of defeat in 7 year war with Britain

and to restrict Britain from becoming powerful.


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Fighting ended in 1782 with beginning of peace resolution.

Aftermath/Impact of Revolution

Inspiration to other colonies specially French Revolution as France participated in

war- New Phase in Human History, Nationalism

Started Process of Decolonisation

Enactment of Constitutions with principles like ROL, BOP, Check & balances etc-

First Democratic Nation

Shift in Balance of Power from an Empire resulting to change in world politics

Britain

(a) Loss of Prestige

(b) Economic problem with heavy debt

(c) Settlement of 20,000 peoples who were loyal to them during the war

(d) Loss of market for dumping finished goods-compensated by India

(e) Change in colonial Policy- Autocratic to Liberal

(f) Intensified hostility with France

The American Revolution had deprived Britain of one colonial empire but at thesame time it has paved the way for strengthening the foundation of another

British colonial empire

(a)Lesson learned by British in America were applied in strengthening foundation

of Indian colonial empire. Charles Cornwallis was British Commander who

suffered defeat in American Revolution but learned tough lessons were

applied by him successfully as Governor General of Bengal (1786-93).

(b)On another hand British Parliament enacted no. of Acts & Regulations for

safety of British Colony in India such as PITS India Act, 1784, Amending Act,

1786, Charter Act, 1789 etc.

(c)British have given economic and political independence to colonies to some

extent and ensuring of grievances so as to have their maximum satisfaction.

American Revolution has inaugurated age of revolution and it has transformed

both America as well as Europe

(a)Liberal & Progressive ideals of American Revolution had immediately

triggered French Revolution in 1789.

(b)Nationalist Revolutions in Latin America under leadership of Martin, Bolivar

were inspired by the success of American Revolution.

(c)Further Nationalist Movement in America & Asia were also the outcome of

AR.

The American war of Independence was in reality a conflict between Franceand Britain.

Factors affecting American Constitution and Bill of Right

Declaration of Independence on 4th July 1776 and Constitution finally

adopted on 17th September 1787 by American Congress. Bill of Right

came into effect from 15thDecember 1791.

American Culture (freedom)- Principle of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.

Freedom of Speech, expression, religion, to move & reside etc.


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Experience during war & British Colonial Rule- As they fought against

Monarchy so they declared himself as Republic, other provisions such as

Principle of Democracy, ROL, BOP, Checks & Balances etc.

As they voluntary came together so spirit of unity the structure of their

constitution is Federal.

Economic factors- promoting Capitalism with Right to Property as Sacred

& unavoidable provision

american revolution-world history

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