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Political reasons for the American revolution
Reasons for the american revolution
Political reasons for the American revolution
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The last few years leading up to the American Revolution was a riotous period noted by vocal and physical grievances. There were a multitude of causes of the war. Like most military conflicts; the Revolution was spurred by complex social, political, and economic factors. Politically, it was caused by the lack of the American people’s voice in the British parliament. Socially, it was caused by the unique disposition of the American Colonists and their society in contrast to their relationship with the English Government. Economically, it was causes by the British government imposing increasing levels of taxes on the colonist to get out of debt. I have discovered a substantial amount of information and documentation that support my claims. …show more content…
“The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies” (Congress, July 4, 1776) is an archive I will use to support the political causes of the war in my argument. The multiple signers of the document unanimously believed, “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government.” The document goes on to explain how the King George was unfit and says, “The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.” The King had given up on the colonist government, disestablished the most valuable laws, and taken away the Americans government. The British parliament had all the power to legislate for the colonist. Even after petitions to the King, the government only extended their jurisdiction over the colonist. Political disputes were part of the original conflict between the people of the colonies and the British government. The British government wanted to change the way the colonies were …show more content…
Liberty, republicanism, and independence were powerful social causes. The patriots tenaciously asserted American rights and brought the Revolution. The route to the American Revolution was based on the unique American character and the lack of understanding, which the British Government had for it. It was fought and won by the Colonists because of an idea. The idea was
From the time period 1775-1800, the American Revolution would impact the United States in political, social and economic ways.
During the War for American Independence, 78 men were commissioned as general officers into the Continental Army by the Continental Congress. Many of these generals commanded troops with differing levels of competence and success. George Washington is typically seen as most important general, however throughout the war a number of his subordinates were able to distinguish themselves amongst their peers. One such general was Nathanael Greene. At the end of the Revolutionary War, Greene would become Washington’s most important subordinate, as demonstrated by Edward Lengel’s assessment of Greene as “the youngest and most capable of Washington’s generals.” Washington and Greene developed a strong, positive and close relationship between themselves. Greene began his life in the military after having been raised a Quaker. With limited access to literature and knowledge in his younger years, Greene became an avid reader which equipped him with the knowledge necessary to excel as a general during the war. Through his devoted study of military operations, firsthand experience and natural abilities as a soldier, Greene became an excellent military commander. He would become known for his successful southern campaign, during which, he loosened British control of the South and helped lead the war to its climax at Yorktown. Throughout the war, he was involved in a number high profile battles where he built a reputation of being an elite strategist who also understood unconventional warfare, logistics, and the importance of military-civil affairs and had a natural political/social acumen. The thesis of this paper is that Greene’s proven reputation of being a soldier, strategist and statesman would cause him to become the second greates...
As a prelude before the Revolution itself, there were already preliminary symptoms of unrest within America that followed the first step in the general pattern of revolutions. Prior to the first shots at Lexington and Concord in 1775, growing discontent with the British Government passing certain acts that the Americans perceived as unfair had already risen to a substantial degree. With the majority of acts incurring economic and financial costs, by 1767, the Townshend Acts had been passed, putting further taxes on paper, glass and tea. Upon the taxes that the Stamp Act of 1965 incurred on such items as newspapers, official documents and almanacs, the American people became highly agitated and a feeling of resentment quickly spilled over the masses, ‘several person were for dying rather than submitting to it...’ [pg52 Maier, P.] Additionally, the Colonialist became increasingly violent, ‘Almost immediately after the Acts [implementation], outbreak of mob activity...’[pg54 Maier, P.] By 1970, the preliminary symptom of unrest displayed through protest and discontent was evident. The Colonialist did not feel that they were obligated to be subject to these taxes without representation in British Parliament. Additionally, the psychological pre-condition associated with the cause of war was present in the Colonialist discontent regarding the numerous Acts bearing economic consequences. Not only had the events up till 1770 displayed active protests and early mob activity, it also hinted at the potential oncoming violence the growing mob could inflict which was the next step in the general broad pattern of revolutions.
The American Revolution has great importance on the way the United States views itself. Contrary to popular belief, Americans were not separate people subject to British tyranny. A large portion of American colonialists thought of themselves as British. There are many ideas and causes as to why the American Revolution began. Differing political traditions, both parties economic interest, trading interest of those involved in transatlantic commerce, Britain’s large debt that accumulated during the Seven Years War, mutual misunderstandings, and the Great Awakening are many of the reasons that the colonist began to revolt against England.
The American Revolution was sparked by a myriad of causes. These causes in themselves could not have sparked such a massive rebellion in the nation, but as the problems of the colonies cumulated, their collective impact spilt over and the American Revolution ensued. Many say that this war could have been easily avoided and was poorly handled by both sides, British and American; but as one will see, the frame of thought of the colonists was poorly suited to accept British measures which sought to “overstep” it’s power in the Americas. Because of this mindset, colonists developed a deep resentment of British rule and policies; and as events culminated, there was no means to avoid revolution and no way to turn back.
The British made the war for American independence inevitable; they imposed new policies that made colonists desire independence even more. Tax polices, republicanism, as well as, the spreading of revolutionary ideas all took part of strengthening the colonials’ rebellion against British rule. After Great Britain put in effect polices to oppress the colonists, they could do nothing but watch the revolution against them unfold.
The war against the British was not based on the nationalistic passions of the Patriots; rather it was more a matter of the purses of corrupt capitalists and smugglers. The quote by George Mason "If we now have to pay the debts due to British merchants, what have we been fighting for all this while?" clearly illustrates the factors that motivated the revolution. A critical analysis of the course of the war and the situations that were present during this conflict provides a more concrete basis for realizing the flaw in this misunderstanding. There were no accounts of obscene taxation; neither were the colonists subjected to any form of slavery or oppression.
On April 19, 1775, the British marched into Lexington, ordering the Patriots to disperse as an undetermined gun fired “the shot heard around the world”. Only one British soldier was wounded, but the American Revolution had begun. On August 23, 1775, King George declared the American colonies in “open and avowed rebellion” and that “they must submit or triumph.” He viewed the rebellion as traitorous and urged Parliament to move quickly to end the revolt. He signed The Proclamation of Rebellion, giving Parliament the authority to dispatch troops against his own subjects, something the colonists believed impossible. Four months later Parliament declared the colonies beyond protection. Still, the King urged the colonists to understand “that
Many Americans was reluctant to join in the war, but had little choice in the matter. Indeed, taxation of the colonies was one of the key factors as well as the inability to reach a diplomatic solution drove the colonist to violence, The Revolution. The resistant the Americans caused against paying taxes exposed their families to war against Great Britain. The American people clearly hesitant to go to war knew this was the only way to continue their freedom from unnecessary taxation. Wealthy Americans disliked the efforts made by Parliament that limits their rights in the British Empire. The Americans cherished freedom and desired nothing more than to be able to have a say in their role within the British Empire. The wealthy wanted nothing to do with an organized movement of the rebellion against Parliament. The people push of the rebellion identified wealthy colonist as equal supporter of the rebellion against taxation. The level of communication amongst the colonies was very effective, the word got around over time causing a turn in the nation’s destiny. The American knew something had to be done. “Who would dare stand up to Parliament?” The delegates must reach a decision. After several attempts of negotiation the delegates still would not be totally convinced of the true integrity their fellow delegates held. The opinion of the
The colonists in the new world were right to go to war against Britain, and they were successful in doing so. They were unhappy in their relationship with Britain. The colonists felt degraded and oppressed and they did not like how things were run, because of this, they rebelled. The hatred of arbitrary government had been placed in the colonies since their settlement first began. The American Revolution was more than a struggle to free the colonies from British control it was a struggle to establish a country by themselves. They desired a free and abundant life and safety from oppression; that is one of the main reasons they founded the colonies in the first place. The colonists wished to achieve a country separate from Britain, and to establish a self-sustaining free nation built on fairness (Miller, 1959).
“Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation” (Henry par.3). Great Britain didn’t care enough about its own people that it refused to listen to the cries of the people it's supposed to protect. “A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people” (Jefferson, par.4). Great Britain needed to stop being a Tyrant and stop misusing its power to make money. Great Britain needed to start to act like a King who listens and protect his own people; the colonists needed to do something before it’s too
The American Revolution of 1775 to 1783, not only gave colonists freedoms from the British government, but set a foundation for improvements and change across multiple platforms. Though the newly found nation held many promises, it also faced many struggles and imposed a large threat to the native people of North America. Striving to create a more limited government that would ease the fear of central power from the past experience of British rule was met with the need for funding and stability following the war. This weak of a government created an imbalance unsuitable for any newly found country. The ideologies of the United States government also created a premise for freedom movements throughout various societal platforms. Some proved to be a positive step in the right direction, while others suffered immense consequences.
There has been a constant and difficult struggle for everyone in America to gain their freedom. Many people have fought hard and died for their freedom. America pushed to be free from Britain through the American Revolution, the Union pushed to end slavery through the Civil War, and women pushed to gain equal rights for women.
Both the British and the American colonists contributed to causing the American Revolution. The war grew out of contempt: England’s contempt for the colonies and colonial contempt for British policies. A series of actions by the British eventually pushed the colonists over the edge and towards independence. The results of the war gave many citizens a new role in society while others, like slaves, felt no change at all. This paper will examine the specific causes and effects of the American Revolution.