American Revolution PDF

AMERICAN REVOLUTION Revolutions in america and france: The late 18th century was a period of revolutions in america and france. The american revolution was from 1775-1783 which was a momentous historical milestone which encouraged people in other countries to fight for freedom from their rulers and...

AMERICAN REVOLUTION Revolutions in america and france: The late 18th century was a period of revolutions in america and france. The american revolution was from 1775-1783 which was a momentous historical milestone which encouraged people in other countries to fight for freedom from their rulers and work towards democracy and self-rule. The french revolution was from 1789-1799 was another pathbreking historical landmark. It was political,social and economic in nature and ended the rule of heriditary kings. It also strengthened the middle class, gave hope to the poor and neglected people of the society and introduced democratic ideas and ideals in france. THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE The American war of independence for The American Revolution was the first organised political revolution in the history of the world in which people asserted the right to rule themselves. it led to: ➔ The birth of USA as a nation ➔ the end of autocratic role ➔ the establishment of a democratic form of government Causes of the American War of Independence: After Europeans discovered America, they began creating colonies, or permanent settlements. By the 18th century, 13 British colonies had been established along the east coast of North America. 1. Strict Control Over Economics: Even though the colonies had some freedom to manage local matters, the British government controlled their economy. The British believed the colonies existed to make money for Britain, but the colonists felt this was unfair because they worked hard and didn’t benefit fully from their efforts. 2. Unfair Rule: Each colony had an elected assembly, but the governor was chosen by Britain and didn’t listen to the people. The governor only cared about Britain’s interests, not those of the colonists. This made the settlers angry because they worked hard but didn’t get to enjoy the rewards. 3. Heavy Taxes and Restrictions: The British government taxed the colonies heavily and limited their business activities. This made it difficult for the colonies to grow economically and led to more frustration. 4. Cultural Differences: The American colonies were different from Britain in many ways, including  their way of life. The colonists were more open and flexible, while the British were more strict. Over time, the colonists began to see themselves as different from the British and wanted the freedom to govern themselves. 5. No Representation in Parliament: The colonists wanted a voice in the British government, especially when it came to taxes. Since they didn’t have anyone representing them in Parliament, they felt it was unfair for Britain to tax them. Their slogan became “No taxation without representation,” meaning they should not be taxed unless they had someone in the government to represent their interests. 6. Influence of European Philosophers: European thinkers like Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau talked about the rights of people to be free and to govern themselves. These ideas inspired the American colonists to fight for their own freedom and independence. 7. Demand for Total Freedom: As tensions grew, the colonists realized they didn’t just want a say in British government—they wanted to be free from it altogether. They believed that the British government had treated them unfairly and no longer had the right to rule over them. 8. The Boston Tea Party: In 1773, a group of colonists, disguised as Native Americans, protested by throwing British tea into Boston Harbor. This act was a rebellion against the British taxes and laws that were harming the colonies. It showed the colonists’ open defiance of British authority and helped spark the American War of Independence. The Beginning of the War: In 1774, representatives from the colonies met in Philadelphia and asked King George III to stop unfair rules. The king saw this as rebellion and declared war on the colonists. British troops were sent to stop the colonists in Massachusetts, leading to battles at Lexington and Concord in April 1775. The colonists chose George Washington as their leader. In 1776, the representatives met again in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence, which declared that the colonists had the right to be free from Britain and form their own government. The Declaration included ideas that all people are born equal and have certain rights, like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Birth of the USA: The war ended in 1781 with the defeat of the British. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, and Britain recognized the independence of the 13 colonies, which became the United States of America. Over the next 200 years, the USA grew into the world’s most powerful country, and today it is considered the world’s leading superpower. The 4th of July is celebrated as American Independence Day. Results of the American War of Independence: The war ended British control and created the United States of America. A written Constitution was created. A federal democratic government was established. The new government guaranteed citizens rights like freedom of speech, press, religion, and justice. The country would be governed by an elected president who followed the Constitution, not personal desires. The U.S. Constitution inspired many countries, including India, which adopted ideas like a federal government, fundamental rights, and a system of checks and balances.