Although Zinn argues that the conflicts caused by the differentiating social classes in order to dissolve the class divisions was the main cause of the American Revolution, the “other side of the story” is told by Schweikart and Allen, as they reason that it was actually the British who unknowingly burdened the colonies with oppression, which brought about the revolution itself. In Zinn’s fourth chapter of A People’s History of the United States, Tyranny is Tranny; he focuses more on the class differences in society that triggers the opposition against England, rather than the effects of British oppression. He states that the “American leadership was less in need of English rule, and the English more in need of the colonists’ wealth” (Zinn 60). With this said, the colonists then focused more on the pursuit of exploitation and profit, which would definitely spark rebellions of the poor against the rich especially because the poor had been overwhelmed by British taxes and the fact that only a small percentage of the wealthy controlled a huge majority of the city’s taxable assets. For this reason, the poor developed a hatred for the upper class that would
History confirms the break between Britain and the United States was a war of independence, known as the American Revolution. This war physically and mentally broke the bond between Britain and one of her largest colonies, who decided that since they were in a new territory, they would be responsible for themselves. In his document entitled Common Sense, Thomas Paine reasons with the reader that the American population should revolt against the actions of the British monarchy, demonstrating that the voice (and rioting) of the people are potentially stronger than the government itself. This essay will demonstrate that Thomas Paine’s arguments parallel those of another group that defied the government and essentially set the revolt in motion: the sailors. This paper will first explore Paine’s arguments, and then the
The revolution forced by the Bourgeoisie was for the third estate as well the first two estates to be treated equally. The causes of the two revolutions were very different. The Americans wanted to be out from under the British control. The reason for this is because ever though the Americans and still be considered British colonist, through passing generation the emotional connection to the mother land has been lost. The colonist of America to their self no bigger believed they were or wanted to be British citizens so the Americans dragged Britain in 1775 by starting the revolution and the creating their own government in 1776.
The federalist wanted to become allies with Britain, while the anti-federalist wanted to become allies with the French, who had helped them in the Revolutionary War. The most influential leader for the federalists was a man named Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton believed that America should choose to ally with Britain instead of France because he believed that Britain would help America with trade. In Document I, Hamilton states that any man who is apologetic towards France is a fool and traitor. During the 1700s it was serious to be
America was just starting out as a new country, and their foreign policy was not yet strong enough to protect itself. The Alien and Sedition Acts helped to limit foreign influence by encouraging deportation of foreigners from America. Some worried America faced not only a powerful enemy abroad, but also a threatening undercurrent of opposition at home. Hoping to strengthen the nation during war, and at the same time crush their political rivals, the Federalist Party in power passed these four acts. Deep divisions in politics combined with distrust in foreign nations and growing domestic turmoil paved the way for the passing of the Alien and Sedition Acts by the Federalists.
This led to a decision for the king: cope with our demands, or we fight for our independence. After the king rejected the demands of the petition, Thomas Paine released an article entitled “Common Sense”. By this time, the people thought they were fighting to make King George III listen to their demands, but Thomas Paine introduced the idea that independence was better fighting for, and that Britain has too much power over us. He stated that Britain could drag Americans into war that they had no intention of being in, which was concluded that America is much better off on its own, and that this way of thinking was common sense. This document changed the minds of thousands of Americans to now want complete independence.
Yet in 1775, the American Colonies rebelled against British authority. The dramatic turnabout resulted from disagreements over the proper relationship between Britain and its colonies. Britain expected the colonists to obey the British Parliament “in call cases whatsoever.” The colonists, on the other hand, believed that there were limits to Parliament’s power. They believed they had certain rights that Britain should respect. Each side refused to yield, which led to a military showdown.
The American Revolution was fought because colonists felt the tyrannical government of Great Britain was abusing their authority, and directly affecting their way of life and happiness. The succession of the Confederate States was a peaceful way of saying to the United States that they felt they were using their power in an inappropriate way. The Confederate states were tired after years of regulations and acts that directly affected their way of life
Because the British government was not fulfilling Jefferson’s previously mentioned definition of a government’s duties; they were forced to take the very necessary step of removing themselves from the King’s rule and ruling themselves. In what has become one of the most identifiable phrases in political theory, Jefferson declares certain truths to be “self-evident”. These truths that all men are created equal and that men are endowed with certain unalienable rights became increasingly integral to the cause championed by Jefferson and the other creators of the
The British had dominated the French and Indian War and with them out of the way, England could turn its attention to its control over the colonies. They needed money from the debts the war brought, and they looked to the colonies for it. This meant the colonists