4.2 - revolutions Flashcards
name 2 effects the enlightenment had on 18th-century america.
- source of inspiration that spurred the colonists philosophically and politically to revolt against england 2. to keep religion seperate from politics, leaving church and state to operate in distinct and separate realms.
why did the american revolution occur and what happened?
imposition of new taxes by the british in an attempt to exert more control over the colonies > colonists were angered over taxes and also resented britain´s enforcement of laws requiring cargo to travel at sea in british vessels, and objected to being required to house and accommodate british troops > colonists responded by boycotting british products, attacking british officials and generating anti-british slogans > colonists exchanged gunfire with british troops in lexington > july 4, 1776, continental congress adopted declaration of independence.
what was in the declaration of independence by the continental congress?
inspired by enlightenment ideas of liberty and sovereignty, all men are created equal, and all are endowed by god with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. also asserted that colonists had the right to establish a government to secure these rights and that the government derived its authority from the people.
what happened after the declaration of independence?
led to the colonists´ armed resistance of britain. even though britain was the economic and military power of the western world, the colonists prevailed and the balance of the world power was drastically altered. the war lasted 5 years with the surrender of british troops to general george washington in 1781. 2 years later the peace of paris was signed in which the british recognized american independence.
name 2 factors which helped america to win the war
they had help from european nations (france, holland, spain) which all wanted to see britain weakened.also the colonists were defending their own land and fighting for a set of principles, not te least of which was freedom.
which 4 men had a decisive impact leading up to the war with britain and who continued to exter an influence in america and beyond afterwards?
paine, washington, jefferson, franklin.
thomas paine.
journalist and pamphleteer, his writings roused readers´ passions against the british and inspired them to believe that miitary resistance was both necessary and justified.
george washington.
took charge of the army during the war. he outsmarted and outmaneuvered his british antagonists, culminating in their surrender to him.
thomas jefferson
primary author of the declaration of independence and 3rd president of the usa. also a writer who argued that liberty was a god-given right.
benjamin franklin.
one of the 5 men who helped draft the declaration of independence. he was the minister to france prior to and during the revolution. he deserves much of the credit for securing a treaty with france, including financial support to secure american independence.
explain the enlightenment thought and women.
during the 18th century
