American Revolution Flashcards
(3 cards)
Causes of American Revolution (4)
The Age of Enlightenment - In the eighteenth century, a movement called the Enlightenment emerged in Europe. It was a movement of thinkers who valued reason and science above faith or authority as a basis for society.
Restrictions on American Trade - The British Parliament forced the colonies to sell some of their products (cotton, sugar, tobacco) to Britain alone. This meant that the British could decide the price, as the Americans had nobody else to sell to. These rules caused a lot of smuggling, which led to clashes with the British navy.
The Seven Years’ War - During the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), the British had defeated France and taken a lot of its territory. Huge numbers of British soldiers fought in America, and the British government wanted the colonies to pay them back for protecting them
No Taxation without Representation - The British introduced the Stamp Act (1765) and Quartering Act (1765) The colonists were furious. They didn’t want to pay more taxes and they didn’t want taxes to be forced by a parliament in London where they had no representatives. Opposition groups used the slogan ‘No Taxation without Representation’. There were protests and violence against the Stamp Act in particular. ‘Stamp men’ were beaten up and ‘tarred and feathered’. The act was withdrawn in 1766.
Course of American Revolution
The American Revolution began in 1775 and ended in 1783. It was a war between 13 American colonies and Britain, caused by anger over British taxes and lack of representation.
The war started with fighting at Lexington and Concord in 1775, where the first shots were fired. Later that year, the Second Continental Congress formed the Continental Army under George Washington.
In 1776, the colonies declared independence with the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson. It claimed that all men are equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The turning point of the war was the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, where the Americans won a major victory. This convinced France to join the war on the American side, providing soldiers, money, and a navy.
The final major battle was at Yorktown in 1781, where Washington and the French army surrounded British General Cornwallis, forcing him to surrender. The war officially ended with the Treaty of Paris (1783), where Britain recognised American independence.
In summary, the revolution lasted eight years, involved key battles like Saratoga and Yorktown, and was won with help from France. It led to the creation of the United States of America.
Consequences of the American Revolution
- The foundation of the United States of America - After the Treaty of Paris in 1783, a Constitutional Convention was called in 1787. This was held by George Washington and had representatives from all the new states. It wrote a constitution for their new country, the United States of America. The American constitution established a federal republic.
- The growth of the United States of America - The USA grew to 50 states over the next 200 years and by 1900, it was one of the most powerful countries in the world. Millions of immigrants from all over the world had made America their home.
- The impact on France - News of events in America spread quickly, and brought the colonists’ ideas to other people. People were inspired from the American Republic. This was a factor causing the French Revolution in 1789.
- The impact on Ireland - Ireland had been under British rule since the 1100s. People looked at America’s example and sought for an independent Ireland. This led to the 1798 Rebellion.
