AMERICAN REVOLUTION
- The American colonies were home to a diverse population, including people of different nationalities, races, and religions, which promoted liberalism and tolerance within society.
- Due to the British policy of salutary neglect, the colonies operated with significant autonomy, managing their legal and legislative institutions without much interference from the Crown.
- The end of the Seven Years’ War left Britain in heavy debt, prompting the British government to impose various taxes on the American colonies to recover financially.
- The introduction of the Sugar Act (1764) and the Stamp Act (1765) marked the beginning of colonial resentment, as they were passed without colonial representation in Parliament.
- The slogan “No taxation without representation” emerged as a rallying cry against what was perceived as unjust and exploitative taxation.
- A growing intellectual class played a crucial role in spreading awareness and encouraging resistance through speeches, writings, and the formation of societies.
- Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense strongly advocated for American independence and criticized British exploitation.
- Benjamin Franklin contributed to the ideological awakening by establishing the Philosophical Society, which promoted intellectual discussions and criticism of British policies.
- Patrick Henry inspired mass movements and resistance with powerful oratory, including his famous declaration, “Give me liberty or give me death.
- The Townshend Acts (1767), which placed duties on imports like paper, glass, and tea, further angered colonists and led to organized boycotts and public protests.
- Groups like the Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty emerged to resist British taxation and policies through acts of civil disobedience and sabotage.
- The Boston Massacre (1770), where British soldiers killed five colonists during a protest, escalated tensions and deepened anti-British sentiment.
- The Tea Act (1773) aimed to help the struggling East India Company but was seen by colonists as another way to enforce British taxation authority.
- In protest, Samuel Adams and his followers dumped tea into Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party, a major act of defiance against British rule.
- Britain’s harsh response led the colonies to unite and form the First Continental Congress (1774).
- The First Continental Congress sent a petition to Britain demanding the removal of trade restrictions and colonial representation in Parliament.
- When King George III refused to consider reconciliation and declared the colonies in rebellion, the Second Continental Congress convened in 1775.
- The Olive Branch Petition, a final appeal for peace, was ignored by the King, who issued a Proclamation of Rebellion instead.
- On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted, mainly written by Thomas Jefferson, asserting natural rights and the colonies' right to self-govern.
- The declaration marked the official start of the American War of Independence, with George Washington leading the Continental Army.
- France joined the war in 1778, providing critical military and financial support to the American colonies as part of its rivalry with Britain.
- The British defeat at Yorktown (1781) effectively ended the fighting, though the war formally concluded with the Treaty of Paris (1783).
- The Treaty of Paris recognized the independence of the thirteen American colonies.
- The Revolution led to the decline of Loyalist influence, as thousands of loyalists left the country, weakening old colonial elite structures.
- The collapse of British mercantilist restrictions allowed America to trade freely and pursue new economic opportunities.
- The United States became the first country to adopt a written constitution, providing a legal foundation for governance and civil rights.
- The Bill of Rights, added in 1791, guaranteed fundamental liberties and limited federal government power, strengthening democratic governance.
- The Revolution transformed the colonial rebellion into a global symbol of liberty, democracy, and anti-colonial struggle.
- The success of the American Revolution popularized concepts like constitutional government, republicanism, federalism, and civil liberties.
- The American Revolution marked the beginning of a global wave of revolutionary movements that challenged monarchies and colonial empires.
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