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What are the reasons why the American revolution
What are the reasons why the American revolution
Ap us history chapter 5 the american revolution
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The American Revolution and the Clamor for Independence
The American history trail has numerous highlights that define it. There are events that Americans shall never forget because they are forever indebted to them. The American Revolution is a part of American history that stands out because of several reasons. There are lessons that were learned during the revolution. Moreover, there are some privileges that Americans have that could not exist had the American Revolution not been successful. This paper follows the trail on the causes of the revolution and other related aspects. There are reasons that attributed to the American Revolution. Initially, the USA was among the colonies that Britain owned.
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The British believed that they had the right to imposes taxes on the Americans as they wished. The heavy and forceful taxation policies pushed the Americans into unbearable positions, and they were forced to revolt. There were policies that the American people considered to be intolerable and they could not allow them to continue. The Boston Port Act, for instance, that the British imposed on the Americans. This would lead to the closure of the Boston port. The reason for the closure was that the Dutch East India Company needed to be compensated for the tea that the American people had destroyed. This issue led to a massive revolt by the …show more content…
Initially, there had been calls for the independence of the country, but the voices were not as bold. "Common Sense” was eventually published in 1776. The “Common Sense” questioned the authority of the British control over America. It further addressed monarchy. Pain used plain language to address the America people on the possible gains that the country would have if it the British could leave them to run their affairs. “Common Sense” is known to be the first open publication that sought to request for independence from the colonialists. There had been no public pieces that had openly rebuked the British colonialists. Thomas Paine addressed sensitive issues that defined the American people. Through the “Common Sense”. He was able to rebuke the monarchial system that was governing the American people. He advised that the republican government system would be more efficient for the Americans. Essentially, he echoed that the republican government system would be superior to the monarchial system that the British had implemented in the country. Through his persuasiveness, Paine championed for equality among the American people. Consequently, the Americans became aware of the benefits of an independent
When one explains his or her ingenious yet, enterprising interpretation, one views the nature of history from a single standpoint: motivation. In The American Revolution: A History, Gordon Wood, the author, explains the complexities and motivations of the people who partook in the American Revolution, and he shows the significance of numerous themes, that emerge during the American Revolution, such as democracy, discontent, tyranny, and independence. Wood’s interpretation, throughout his literary work, shows that the true nature of the American Revolution leads to the development of United State’s current government: a federal republic. Wood, the author, views the treatment of the American Revolution in the early twentieth century as scholastic yet, innovative and views the American Revolution’s true nature as
Gordon Wood’s Radicalism of the American Revolution is a book that extensively covers the origin and ideas preceding the American Revolution. Wood’s account of the Revolution goes beyond the history and timeline of the war and offers a new encompassing look inside the social ideology and economic forces of the war. Wood explains in his book that America went through a two-stage progression to break away from the Monarchical rule of the English. He believes the pioneering revolutionaries were rooted in the belief of an American Republic. However, it was the radical acceptance of democracy that was the final step toward independence. The transformation between becoming a Republic, to ultimately becoming a democracy, is where Wood’s evaluation of the revolution differs from other historians. He contributes such a transformation to the social and economic factors that faced the colonists. While Gordon Wood creates a persuasive argument in his book, he does however neglect to consider other contributing factors of the revolution. It is these neglected factors that provide opportunity for criticism of his book.
Gordon S. Wood, in The Radicalism of the American Revolution, discusses what it means to be truly revolutionary. In this work, Wood shares his thoughts on the Revolutionary War and whether or not it was a movement radical enough to be considered an honest revolution. Wood discusses the reasoning behind the views of those in favor of the war being considered radical, as well as the views of those who believe the American Revolution to be unfortunately misnamed. He claims that “the Revolution was the most radical and most far- reaching event in American history.” Wood’s work is a valuable source for those studying the revolution because it redefines what it means to be radical, but the piece is also limited by the lack of primary information
Thomas Paine wrote the Common Sense and in this pamphlet he wrote about America’s separation and independence from Great Britain. His argument stated that America is a large continent and we are in charge of our own fate and direction (Paine 107). Paine further explained that people migrated to America to escape the control of the King and his laws. Paine introduced a theory when comparing America to a small island, that it is possible if separated we can come together and make our own laws and run the country as we see fit (Paine 109). Paine believes that we are no longer in need of Britain’s help and that we can eventually form alliances with other countries as we stand alone outside of Britain’s control.
Paine believed that America needed to break free of the British clutches. He spoke out against slavery and joined the army to help fight the war. He did not agree with hereditary monarchy and wrote another paper to argue this point (Franklin 321). Paine was very aware of his criticizers, and worked very hard to persuade them toward his way of thinking. In his pamphlet Common Sense he writes: "I have heard it asserted by some, that as America has flourished under her former connection with Great Britain, the same connection is necessary towards her future happiness, and will always have the same effect"(Paine 323). Paine states the following argument: ."..for I answer roundly, that America would have flourished as much, and proba...
What was the common good for all Americans in 1776? Thomas Paine, a political activist during America’s struggle for independence from England, argues in Common Sense, a pamphlet published in the Pennsylvania Magazine, with the American colonists, demanding a revolt with the British crown (Thomas Paine). He passionately believes that the answer to the “…benefit of all people in [American] society” (Thomas Paine) will result from the freedom of oppression for the thirteen American colonies. Common Sense, “the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era”, remains noted by historians as one of the most influential pieces of literature during the era of the American Revolution
The imperial tactics of the British Empire were exercised on the colonists through heavy taxes trade restrictions because of their mercantilist economy. The Stamp Act taxed the colonists directly on paper goods ranging from legal documents to newspapers. Colonists were perturbed because they did not receive representation in Parliament to prevent these acts from being passed or to decide where the tax money was spent. The colonists did not support taxation without representation. The Tea Act was also passed by Parliament to help lower the surplus of tea that was created by the financially troubled British East India Company. The colonists responded to this act by executing the Boston Tea Party which tossed all of the tea that was imported into the port of Boston. This precipitated the Boston Port Act which did not permit the colonists to import goods through this port. The colonists protested and refused all of these acts which helped stir the feelings of rebellion among the colonists. The British Mercantilist economy prevented the colonists from coin...
This pamphlet had motivated the people in the thirteen colonies to acknowledge and fight for independence from the Great Britain. Common sense explained the benefits of independence and simple language. The pamphlet was published unknown on January 10th, which was the beginning of the American Revolution. It was sold and delivered broadly. “Common Sense” gave the American colonist an argument for freedom from the British. Thomas wrote and inferred in a matter where average people could understand. The philosophical and Latin references were used by the Enlightenment era writers (age of reasoning). He set-up the pamphlet like it was a lecture. And used things from the bible to get his point across. Gordon S. Wood, a historian, characterized the pamphlet as "the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary
The American Revolution marked the divorce of the British Empire and its one of the most valued colonies. Behind the independence that America had fought so hard for, there emerged a diverging society that was eager to embrace new doctrines. The ideals in the revolution that motivated the people to fight for freedom continued to influence American society well beyond the colonial period. For example, the ideas borrowed from John Locke about the natural rights of man was extended in an unsuccessful effort to include women and slaves. The creation of state governments and the search for a national government were the first steps that Americans took to experiment with their own system. Expansion, postwar depression as well as the new distribution of land were all evidence that pointed to the gradual maturing of the economic system. Although America was fast on its way to becoming a strong and powerful nation, the underlying issues brought about by the Revolution remained an important part in the social, political and economical developments that in some instances contradicted revolutionary principles in the period from 1775-1800.
There had been many events that had led to the colonist having to pay taxes, and imposed by Britain. The first thing that happened had been the colonist did not agree with what they had been charged for and the taxes they had to pay for. They decided to protest against British laws. They did this because they got charged for everyday things. They were also only allowed to buy goods, foods, tea, stamps, weapons, and more from Britain. This had been because England had been the ruler over the 13 colonies. So because of protesting colonists had gotten in trouble from King George III. This led him to punish them and he got extremely angry. After, new laws, and acts were created. This made the colonist owe them so much money because of the Boston
After the American Revolution came to an end in 1783, Americans feared that there would be a resurrection of a king or government with tyrannical power. Great Britain had taken advantage of the American Colonies countless times, and this including passing taxes such as the tea tax and stamp tax after the French and Indian War. The king also passed the intolerable acts and quartering acts despite the American’s wishes.The Americans were fed up with Britain’s abuse and revolted against them. Once Britain
Though small in page number, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense carried a big message to many people in the colonies. Common Sense attacked the British government, and the monarchy that controlled it. It was not only a condemnation of the British Empire though. Paine also wrote about a new type of country that could be formed, implying that the colonies form their own union. His work helped introduce the idea of independence to his readers and the populace of the colonies. Common Sense laid part of the foundation that would be the United States of America. Ultimately, Thomas Paine’s manifesto was geared to those who were indecisive on the subject of independence from the British Empire.
The main theme of the essay “Common Sense” is the dispute over American independence from England. Additionally, the argument was made for the American to be successfully it would have to break away from the colony and monarchy system and created its own government. The government of England would not be successfully in American and it needed to go. Thomas Paine the author made a strong case for independence and at last free from English’s oppression. He stated that, so any prepossession in favor of a rotten constitution of government will disable us from discerning a good one (Paine 30). So essentially, the English’s constitution was a constrain to American and to relieve that constrained they would need to get from underneath the English
The American War of Independence started with the thirteen colonies who rebelled against a tyrannical monarchy in 1775 and in turn ended a rule of two centuries by British Empire in the Americas. However, this revolutionary war was not only a conflict fought between American colonist and Britain but a world conflict encompassing many of the most powerful European powers of that time. It could be considered one of the first “World Wars” of that time to alter the equilibrium of European colonial supremacy throughout the world and which will continue to for several more centuries to come.
The Glorious Revolution of 1688 was a turning point for British politics. King James II, who was the ruler of England up until this revolution, opposed many ideas the Enlightenment would later carry. He was known for foolishly using government money to fight a war in Scotland and only stopped when the state had run out of money to spend. He also ignored Parliament all the time and proceeded with his own ruling/policy. This caused the parliament to be dismissed or dissolved twice. Religious conflict was also very much present, as he was Catholic, while most of the country did not like Catholics. This obviously caused some strong resentment among the people for the king. As a result of all this unrest in England in the 17th century, one can