There were many causes that led to the American Revolution, some include economic situations, discontent with autocratic rule, and political changes in the British colonies. A major factor in the start of the revolution was the French and Indian War (1754 - 1763) changed the bond between the colonies and Britain, because of the colonists' identities. Thomas Paine (an American colonist born in Britain) published a Political Pamphlet in 1776, which supported the colonist into open rebellion. The excerpt, "Common Sense," Paine emphasized the case for the revolution in straightforward language, where it became clear and direct to understand the meaning of the excerpt. The excerpt itself influenced colonists to take actions for their tolerance from the British and gave them the strength they needed to become unified.
The American Revolution marked the divorce of the British Empire and its one of the most valued colonies. Behind the independence that America had fought so hard for, there emerged a diverging society that was eager to embrace new doctrines. The ideals in the revolution that motivated the people to fight for freedom continued to influence American society well beyond the colonial period. For example, the ideas borrowed from John Locke about the natural rights of man was extended in an unsuccessful effort to include women and slaves. The creation of state governments and the search for a national government were the first steps that Americans took to experiment with their own system.
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 Revolutionary Period was a time of extreme progress. During this time period the Rationalist movement erupted, sparking American interest in intelligence, exploration, and creativity. These kinds of advancements in society were only made possible by the Declaration of Independence. Without the freedom produced by the Declaration, the American Dream of upward mobility would not be possible. This dream of upward mobility was exemplified in the lives of both ordinary people and influential leaders of the time like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine.
As women 's presence became more prevalent in the Revolutionary War, they demanded for an equal place in the society that Americans call free. Their slow but gradual advances in freedom were often met with rejection as the existing patriarchal structure strengthened. (Document J) For example, the Daughters of Liberty emulated the Sons of Liberty in their efforts to fight for freedom but did not find themselves at an equal level with the men. Slaves, another underrepresented group demand for freedom upon the victory of the American Revolution. The Pennsylvania Packet creates nationalistic feelings and prompts citizens to defend themselves and their rights (Document B).
The American Revolution was a war in which the colonists achieved political independence from their former rulers Great Britain. It was "the formulation of new principles of the relation of men to government, and of the relation of colonies to mother country. It was the inauguration of effective self-government and of social and economic equality. "1 The colonists, in effect, achieved full autonomy from Great Britain through the American Revolution. The colonists felt (for the betterment of all Americans) that it was their duty and responsibility to rise up against their oppressors to form their own government.
Chambers’s Cyclopedia defines necessary as “that which cannot but be, or cannot be otherwise”. Jefferson described the Revolution as “necessary “, making the people feel as if this was something that couldn’t be avoided; the people had no other choice but to agree to a Revolution against England. This powerful word style persuaded the people into agreeing. Thomas Jefferson also uses the stylistic and artistic method of personification in his document, The Declaration of Independence. The use of personification makes the reader feel as if what they are reading directly impacts their personal life.
The start of the American Revolution, described by Edmund Morgan as, “the shot heard around the world,” was the “Americans’ search for principles” (Bender 63). Although the world’s colonies did not necessarily seek independence much like the Americans, the world’s colonies were nonetheless tired of the “administrative tyranny” being carried out by their colonizers (Bender 75). The American Revolution set a new standard in the colonies, proclaiming that the “rights of Englishmen” should and must be the “rights of man,” which established a new set foundation for the universal rights of man (Bender 63). This revolution spread new ideas of democracy for the colonized world, reshaping people’s expectations on how they should be governed. Bender emphasizes America as challenging “the old, imperial social forms and cultural values” and embracing modern individualism” (Bender 74).
As for why this revolution may be a historical root of the European Union, the European Union aims to promote economic life and internal market. The Glorious Revolution was some sort of prodemocracy, too, and fruited the Bill of Rights that put some boundaries against the monarchic system, such as free elections and freedom of speech, so the European Union requires “freedom, security and justice” in its member states. As for the Age of Enlightenment, Anthony Pagden explains very well how it influenced on the European states by stating Europe was like a form of a republic of states. As for the Industrial Revolution, E. P. Thompson states that it was an historic event happened directly and firstly in the Great Britain. Of course, the discoveries, the Glorious Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment directly triggered an industrial revolution in England because the discoveries introduced Europe many foods, plants, ores, peoples, social culture, and customs.
The fact that she referred to the American Revolution as a revolution instead of calling it the war of independence stunned many. Hence not only her views and claims were problematic to some but also the title. In this paper, I’m going to argue and point out the differences between the French Revolution and the American Revolution in line with Arendt’s theory of revolution. The French Revolution is heavily criticized by Arendt. She finds the heritage of the French Revolution to be... ... middle of paper ... ...evolution, the founding fathers presented the federal documents, they convinced the individuals, every opinion counted as important.