American Revolution Flashcards
Causes
During the 17th century Britain had become one of the most powerful countries. It had taken over parts of the world including large parts of North America. By the 1700’s there were 13 colonies in America. They had a population of 25 million. The people of America no longer wanted to be part of the British Empire.
Political: 1763 the British banned the expansion west past the line of the Allegheny Mountains (people could not settle further west than this line). All land west of this line was to be reserved for the Native Americans. This angered the colonists because they wanted to gain more land.
The colonists were unhappy that they had to pay taxes to Britain when they were not given the right to representatives of the government in London that had imposed these taxes. ‘No taxation without representation’.
Economic: Britain wanted America as a colony as it brought them money. The British government made money from the goods grown or made in the colonies. They could tax the colonists to pay for their army. They could tax tea and other goods, and use trade restrictions to ensure that the colonists bought British goods. Boston Tea Party, a group of anti-British colonists boarded a ship and threw the cargo of tea overboard. The British, in retaliation, closed the port of Boston.
Ideological: The Colonists saw themselves as carving out a new society from the wilderness. They considered their society new, and having escaped from the corruption of the ‘Old World’ (Europe). They did not want to be restricted by decisions made 3,000 miles away.
They were also influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment (movement encouraging the questioning of everything by human reason; they believed that power and control were only valid if it was deemed useful and beneficial.)
Methods
This started as a dispute over taxation and ultimately led to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. (All 13 colonies were free from control of the British)
The British sent a large army to reassert control but could not keep up the fight. Britain surrendered in 1783.
America had its own constitution, Congress (parliament) and President.
The war defeat exposed incompetent leadership in Britain. Even moderate politicians in Britain were ready to criticise the government. This was the first time a colony had defeated a European power.
British Royal Authority had been successfully challenged by a group who had a clear cause: the development of democracy.
Outcomes
Long Term: Inspired French Revolution where Louis XVI was executed
French Revolution then inspired the British working class to demand voting rights for better representation
Congress and President set up still here today
Short Term: Financial loss for Britain
Poor people still didn’t have vote in America despite Declaration of Independence
