The relationship between the American colonies and their mother country, England, has been a debate amongst historians for many years. Prior to 1740, the Anglo-American relations were not very prevalent, they were rather distant and England seemed to pay no mind into the affairs of the Americans, except perhaps in the later year of the 1730’s when various trade acts and laws were being introduced. However, after 1740 and up until 1763, a number of events and causations changed this situation, and all of a sudden the British and American relationship was put under the spot light. These events were no doubt the French-Indian wars, and the thriving economy and trade triangle. These events caused what appears to be a strengthened Anglo-American relationship, and made it appear as ‘peaceful and harmonious’ however, there are other factors which must be considered by historians in order to solve this question.
Alexander’s Empire was even more evanescent, however, because his military victories were never followed by effective planning for the inevitable transition from battlefield to administering law and order. Often, as was the case for the U.S., a state rises to primacy through events that were not fully planned by its leaders. Throughout the 19th century, Americans assumed that the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans provided an impassible barrier to any enemy attacks, permitting a foreign policy of “no entangling alliances.” Our war with Spain concerned threats on the North American continent rather than the European balance of power. American entry in the First World War, while hotly opposed by some, was seen by Woodrow Wilson as a way to “Make the World Safe for Democracy” – i.e., to preserve political principles favorable to our trade and economic interests – not to embark on a permanent role in European power politics. When Hitler’s rise to power and military conquests of Czechoslovakia and France renewed the threat of German hegemony in Europe, strong feelings – symbolized by the “America First” movement
Although the colonists sustained a connection to Britain for more than a decade after the British victory in the French and Indian War, the strategies Parliament implemented to strengthen their hold on the colonies and pay off war debts, as well as their provincial views towards the colonists, primed the American colonies for independence as relations between Britain and its colonies began to sour. The changing perceptions the British and Colonists had toward one another played a crucial part in the eventual split of the British nation, as the colonists started seeing themselves as a different breed from their English relations. During the French and Indian War, this was especially seen in the relationship between a soldier and his general. General Edward Bradock, appointed to direct colonial troops in the Americas, saw his soldiers as provincials who were not able to protect themselves from the French threat. He refused to take crucial advice from respected American advisors, and as a result ended up being ambushed by Indians and defeated.
The individuals in this caste were considered the most significant people in terms of nationalist thoughts and ideas (Aggarwal, 2013). Because of their occupation, the British were able to obtain more land and acquire raw materials which helped their imperialism spread throughout the country. India was able to provide the British with the materials and supplies necessary for industrialization and trading throughout the world. Calcutta became a naval port and was utilized for trading. The British took full advantage of this opportunity as it was quite lucrative (Aggarwal, 2013).
As England tried to hold its grip on the becoming independent colonies, Britain was in need of a centralized colonial government that should have been established from the beginning. Due to the great distance between America and England and its inefficient policies, the colonies had a great deal of freedom. When Britain decided to enforce their influence and rule on America following the Seven Years War, there was many areas of disagreement that eventually lead to the American Revolution. Following the victory of the French and Indian War, Britain gained control of half of the continent by the scratch of a pen (94). Britain's national debt doubled during the course of the war and the cost of extended empire cause a dramatic increase in the cost of living.
It was through this war that the US was able to finally emerge as a strong world power and obtain new strategic territories. The US acquired Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippine Islands that gave us foot holds on both sides of the country that resulted in new resources for the mainland. In the process of gaining new territories, in 1898 they also gained full control of Hawaii, which was a big resourceful gain for the US and having a strategic island territory in center of the Pacific left the US in great
America’s success at Midway was a crucial blow to the Imperial Navy’s fleet, which would not fully recover until the war was lost. The crucial blow to the Imperial Navy helped the U.S. Navy fleets deploy invasion units by sea to the targeted
They were able to financially manipulate the French against the English but they also made them believe in victory. This helped America to fund the war and it gave them lasting
America`s role as world policeman Since the United States of America gained the right to form their own nation, as a result to winning the war of independence, they considered themselves as the protector of freedom and democracy. Those beliefs grew stronger and later became the main reason as to why they started meddling into the rest of the worlds business after a long period of isolating themselves from European conflicts. During the 1800’s the US tried to isolated themselves from being involved with the European imperialistic politics. However, it was inevitable since their interests clashed as they grew bigger. In 1898 the Spanish- American war began when America decided to liberate the Spanish colonies Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines.
The American Revolution was one the most important events in American history. Most people think that it was a war fought between the British and Americans for American independence and that the Americans had won. The Americans were tired of the British testing their power in the new colonies, so they had started to smuggle and boycott goods from Britain. Eventually the colonies grew impatient and decided that they wanted their independence. The year 1763 was marked as a turning point in American History.