The American War of Independence's Impact on Europe

The American War of Independence's Impact on Europe

The impact of the American War of independence was as diverse as it

was complex. It’s ideology rendered the masses in Paris aflame and

ultimately some historians suggest it caused the French revolution.

However, outside France it’s ideological effect was more subdued and

it’s main impact was economic as a result of the war. There were some

advantageous long term trade opportunities which in time were good for

the various economies however it’s direct results as for most post-war

economies were terrible.

The American War of independence deeply influenced the political life

in Britain as Evans suggests : « Defeat profoundly affected political

life ». North resigned in March 1782 as a result of the war, his

departure initiated two years of grave instability during which « the

respective rights of the King and commons were unsettlingly rehearsed

». Military reverses and the increased taxes to which war inevitably

leads unbalanced the political scene and the proof of this is the

resurgence of the Whig opposition and the brief period of

parliamentary reform associations between 1778 and 1782 were both

largely attributable to discontent provoked by war. However although

there was discontent due to the war probably because of the military

defeat, there was no considerable increase in numbers, or power, of

those seaking more liberties and democracy in Britain.

The impact of the war on the economy threatened the well-being of

Britain. The volume of British exports, which flourished for much of

the century, declined by almost 20 percent between 1772 and 1780 ;

exports to North American ...

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...ar on Britain for it’s own dreams of expansions not because

it agreed with American ideology. They attacked Gibraltar failing to

conquer it, but managed to take Minorca and Florida which they were

allowed to keep at the treaty of Versailles. Their victory and gain of

territory provided a moral boost for the spanish armed forces however

there were some later political repercussions as, as May suggests : «

the foundation of the US which Spain had supported, encouraged her

colonies to seek their independence ».

The impact of the American War of Independence took on many forms and

shapes and varied from country to country so that in France « the

price to be paid for American Independence was a French Revolution »

while in Spain, ideologically and politically nothing of real

significance beyond the cost of war took place.