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.
Early in American history, while revolutionary soldiers fought the fight for political independence against the British and important battle over freedom raged between the new nation’s leading revolutionaries. By the end of the war the fighting had reached a fever pitch as pointed, provocative and seemingly anonymous letters were published by the key representatives of two different political factions, many of whom were representatives at the Constitutional Convention, which was endeavoring to write out a document that would more or less define the political structure and trajectory of the whole country. These two factions were the Federalist and the Anti-Federalists and they’re quarrel was over what a right understanding of federalism, republicanism and America was. While many different issues littered they’re public debate through published tracts, booklets and a litany of news articles in all the most important newspapers a great portion of the debate centered on the territorial size of the burgeoning republic. What, if any, relationship does the territorial size of the whole country have with the liberty and freedom of the people?
Both the Enlightenment and the Great awakening caused the colonists to alter their views about government, the role of government, as well as society at large which ultimately and collectively helped to motivate the colonists to revolt against England. The Enlightenment was vital in almost every part of the founding of America, which included everything from government, to politics itself, as well as religion. Many of the ideas from the Enlightenment and the Great Awakening shaped our country as a whole in its seminal years, inspiring everything from the American Revolution, to the Constitution, and even electricity and stoves. Without the central ideas and figures of both the Great Awakening and the Enlightenment era, the United States would not be the nation that Americans are accustomed to living in today. The Enlightenment (also known as the Age of Reason) is described by scholars a method of thinking and knowing (“epistemology”) based off of the ideas that the natural world is in fact better understood through close observation, as well as dependence on reason.
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.
America messed up in the beginning and can now make up for that and fix the wrong doings by taking a stand and going to war with Great Britain. Paine is trying to persuade others into joining his own dream of what the colonies would be like without British rule (“The Crisis”). Thomas Paine’s dream of winning against Great Britain is driving him to accomplish the unexpected by getting the colonies to ... ... middle of paper ... ...am happen, to feel strongly for someone, to have a dream of a different reality, or to even have habits that will accomplish the unexpected for such a reality to even get somewhere near their reality. The dream people set for themselves and the reality they hope for will happen with effort and can help them achieve even the greatest of the unexpected. Works Cited Chopin, Kate.
A revolution is defined as being a generally violent attempt by many people to end one rule of governing, and to create their own (Websters Dictionary). The founding of our own independent country is based on such a notion, with our forefathers fighting to gain their freedom from the oppressive rule of Colonial England. With rampant fears of tyranny from a country deemed a super power, the American people were divided in their views of creating their own government, making the definition of a revolution all the more difficult. The years 1775 to 1785 in American history were enormously fundamental to the founding of the United States. From the famous Battles of Lexington and Concord which started the war with England, to the drafting of our own Declaration of Independence from which the United States of America was born, the victorious battles fought against the Redcoats, and to the Treaty of Paris.
There was a lot of tension building up during the 1760's and 1770's between Great Britain and America and something had to be done about it. Is it worth the risk declaring independence from the most powerful country in the world? The forefathers were in a confusing situation and had to come up with something to do to solve the problem. They needed something to come along and help them make a decision. The writing of Common Sense by Thomas Paine was a major help in persuading the push to declare independence.
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.
People all over the world believe that government protects life, liberty, and property. “Were it not for government, the world would soon run into all manner of disorders and confusions,'; (136,Text). The idea that stable and enlightened government could be achieved by balancing the concepts of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy became a common belief among many individuals. In Europe, individual monarch power was growing. This outraged many of each country’s citizens.
The aspect of questioning an impending litigation aimed at exploiting Americans was ripe in their minds and was ready to fight for justice. The move provided platform for political path way making British government to tremble with British leaders becoming ashamed to be seen and lacking what to say. Conclusion That which started with riots against Stamp act lead to American Revolutionary with a political agenda. The revolutionary gained momentum fighting taxation without representation that diluted permanently the relationship between America and Britain. The revolutionary is lead to America’s independence.