How the Seven Years war created a revolt against the British from within their American Colony.
American Revolution
Residents of the thirteen colonies in North America thought of themselves as British subjects • The followed British law, read English language books, and visited friends and family in England. • Trade brought prosperity and the military provided protection to the colonies • Victory in the Seven Years War ensured that Britain would dominate global trade and the North American colonies would prosper. • Facing financial difficulties from the Seven Years War British parliament passed legislation to levy new taxes. • Colonists resented the imposition of taxes on molasses by the Sugar Act and were enraged by other acts such as the Stamp Act and Tea Act. • These policies led to colonists arguing that they should govern their own affairs rather than London's instructions. • They responded to new Parliament levies with the slogan "no taxation without representation." • They boycotted British products, attacked British officials, and mounted protests such as the Boston Tea Party. • They organized the continental Congress which coordinated the colonies resistance to British policies. • Tensions were so high that British troops and a colonial militia skirmished at the village of Lexington, near Boston. • This Started the war of American Independence. |
Because of The Seven years war Britain was facing financial problems. Britain thought that they could impose new taxes on the North American colonies and it would not cause problems. However the colonies were furious about the taxes and were enraged about acts like the Tea Act. This directly led to the colonists thinking that they should govern their own affairs. The colonists started to boycott British products and mount protests. This eventually led to a militia skirmish at Lexington which started the war for American Independence.
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The Declaration of Independence
• On July 4 1776 the Continental Congress adopted a document entitled "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America." • This Declaration of Independence drew inspiration from Enlightenment political thought in justifying the quest for independence. • The document gave certain rights to men among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. • It echoed John Lockes contractual theory of government. • The document presented a long list of abuses charged to the British crown and concluded by proclaiming the colonies Free and independent States. • At the beginning of the war for independence Britain enjoyed many advantages over the rebels. • They had a strong government with clear lines of authority, the most powerful navy in the world, a competent army, and a sizable population of loyalists in the colonies. • The rebels benefited from military and economic support of European states that were eager to chip away at the British • France, Spain the Netherlands and several German principalities contributed to the American quest for independence. • Local militias employed guerrilla tactics effectively against British forces. • Rather than risk the possibility that France might establish alliance with the North American colonies British forces surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown in 1781 • In September 1783 diplomats concluded the Peace of Paris by which the British Government formally recognized American Independence. |
Building an Independent State
The leaders of the land organized a state that reflected Enlightenment Principles.
• They Created a federal republic were the former colonies retained a great deal of authority over local affairs.
• Based the federal government on popular sovereignty.
• They granted freedom of speech and religion.
• They accorded full rights only to men of property.
• Over time disenfranchised groups claimed and struggled for political and legal rights.
• With the extension of civil rights, American society broadened the implications of the Enlightenment values of freedom and equality as well as popular sovereignty.
The leaders of the land organized a state that reflected Enlightenment Principles.
• They Created a federal republic were the former colonies retained a great deal of authority over local affairs.
• Based the federal government on popular sovereignty.
• They granted freedom of speech and religion.
• They accorded full rights only to men of property.
• Over time disenfranchised groups claimed and struggled for political and legal rights.
• With the extension of civil rights, American society broadened the implications of the Enlightenment values of freedom and equality as well as popular sovereignty.