However it was the first time settlers of a colony had challenged their parent country and fought hard to win their independence, and by doing so set up a government with its own laws and constitutions- which is the perfect example of a revolution. A revolution usually involves a relatively swift change of government with a change of governing philosophy e.g. monarchy to republic. In this essay I am going to explore the events leading up to the war and the war itself to show that the American War of independence was in fact a revolution. It all started one bright sunny day in 1602 when three large ships arrived at new land… These settlers landed at Jamestown, Virginia, and the first English colony in America was founded.
How Revolutionary was the American Revolution The American revolution was during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from British rule, combining to become the United States of America. The American Revolution had momentous consequences. Though the question is, how revolutionary was the American Revolution? Furthermore, was it a huge turn or just partial, to the shaping of the United States or the impacts it has had to this day? The American Revolution has caused changes, in such as political independence, social equality, land reform, and economics.
“Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.” - John Parker. Revolution is a dynamic process whose consequences no one can anticipate. The American colonies in 1765 were surprised by the new taxes that were being presented from the Parliament. This caused a rebellion that lead to a complete separation from Great Britain that once the colonistshad loved because of their powerful government that viewed them as equals and largely left alone to do what they wanted. Little over a decade, conflict began to occur with the British and Patriots in the Spring of 1775 in Massachusetts.
The patriots had various reasons for seeking independence in the fateful years of 1775-1783. These reasons did not materialize instantly but can be traced back to decades earlier. Two revolutionary impulses existed: independence from Britain’s tyrannous rule and the desire to democratize a failing American society and government. Before the French and Indian War, the objective of the British was to regulate trade and in general influence the colonial government. However, Britain achieved these aims in a limited way and did not over-manage the colonies.
In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson explained how governments should not be overthrown for petty reasons, but he believed the King of Great Britain had taken the situation too far. The New England economy was growing, and the colonist gradually began to think and act independently from England. Therefore, England initiated Parliament
The United States Constitution was the first constitution in the world. It was play an important of American history, marked America became a democracy country. Many events prompted Congress to approve the Constitution. Although America had defeat Great British and won the Revolutionary War, the United States government was weak. The 13 colonies followed the Articles of Confederation, but every state had its laws, so the government had not enough power to solve the problem between each states.
The whole point of America becoming its own sovereign country was Britain’s overbearing control on the colonies. Many early Americans had concerns and feared a government in which, by design, could become too strong. Consequentially, the Democratic – Republican party (later known to historians simply as the Republican Party) was formed with ideas of smaller government and thusly, less control. A semblance of the rivalry between the parties in the United States could be seen in the French Revolution. The Republicans supported the popular forces in the French Revolt and wanted America to assist.
One thing the war did not achieve is the creation of a single new and independent nation in North America. When independence was finally attained, by the grant of it by Great Britain via the Treaty of Paris in 1783, thirteen independent nations were created. Those nations then allied together in a confederation called the United States of America. In context, both of history and in the minds of the Founding Fathers, 'states' is correctly translated as 'nations' or 'nation-states' and the confederation was an alliance of states united, not a single nation. Failure to understand that simple, basic fact necessarily leads to the failure to understand the true causes of the war which occurred in 1861-65.
The American Revolution was clearly more of a movement to implement enlightenment ideals. What can be perceived as conservative about the revolution is only its beginning, when the Colonists realized they needed to take action against the unfair taxation and the other things that separated them from the British. But that was merely what made them feel they needed to overthrow their government. The Declaration would’ve eventually come along anyway, still heavily based on Enlightenment ideals. Without those Enlightenment ideals it would’ve been believed that it was fine for the British to continue what they were doing.
Causes of the Revolutionary The cause of the revolutionary war was not one but many causes. The main cause which seems to be fact was the the colonists and Britain’s views on laws that Parliament had enforced upon the colonies such as new taxes. The colonists believed they should not be taxed with out representation because they wanted to voice their opinion about laws Parliament creates. Britain believed the colonies were created to be used to benefit Britain. When the French and Indian War ended the British felt they had the right to settle former French land even though Indians inhabited most of it.