Psychological Factors That Influenced The Progress Of The American Revolution

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American patriotism heightened remarkedly from 1763 to 1783 due to Britain’s increasing imposition of taxes and control over America, creating years of war for independence, known today as the American Revolution. The ideas most projected during this time were the need to break away from Britain’s taxation and the need to be free from its control. Six years following the American Revolution, the French Revolution took place. Because France helped America in the American Revolution, their economy took a plunge. The result of this was a rise in bread prices and high tax. The events that followed were riots, strikes, and the meeting of the Third Estate. The American Revolution also gave the French people the inspiration to rise against leaders’ corruption and obstruction. After winning the French and Indian War, Britain found a way to preserve and tightened their security of America—by raising revenue, …show more content…

According to Janet Schaw in Journal of a Lady of Quality, some patriots were so determined to gain independence that they inflicted violence on those who did not support them. She states, “Agree to join us [the Patriots] and your persons and properties are safe … if you refuse, we are directly to cut up your corn, shoot your pigs, burn your houses, seize your Negroes and perhaps tar and feather yourself”. Schaw’s description of the Patriot’s treatment of non-supporters proves that obtaining freedom from Britain was imperative to America. As with John Locke’s natural law, he brought to attention the idea that every man is born into this world with natural rights, one of them is that they have the right to leave their society if they are not happy with it. With Locke’s contribution, Americans realized they were not happy with the ways they were being governed by their British leaders, and as a result, found their way toward

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