The founding and development of the united states Flashcards
The American revolution was also known as
the American War of Independence
what was the American revolution
an ideological and political revolution that occurred in British America by which the Great Britain’s North American colonies won political independence and went on to form the United states of America
when was the American revolution
1775-1783
where was the American revolution
The East coast of America consisted of thirteen colonies
internal factors for the outbreak of the American revolution
Since Columbus discovered America in 1492, a growing number of British’s colonists in the east coast of North America accused Britain of tyrannical rule.
—> political + economic policies in north America
political policies of British colonies in North America
-The thirteen colonies in the East Coast were ruled by governors assigned by Britain.
-Even though the colonists and the local people had their own assemblies and could elect their own representatives, the British government and Parliament still firmly controlled the colonies
—>e.g. appointment of colonial governors and approval of laws passed by the assemblies
impact of the political policies of British colonies in North America
The degree of self-governance was limited
→ attempt to overthrow the British rule
why were new taxes introduced in colonies
Britain’s victory in the Seven Years’ War in 1763 left the country deeply in debt.
—> cost of the war, governing and defending its new territories.
—> Many British officials thought that the colonies should pay part of the costs, especially the cost of the stationing of British troops
economic policies of British colonies in North America
Many British officials thought that the colonies should pay part of the costs, especially the cost of the stationing of British troops. Hence, some new taxes were introduced.
new taxes introduced in British colonies
-Sugar act (1764): taxation on sugar, syrup and wine
-stamp act (1765): taxation on stamps in different values on documents and printed materials
-townshend act (1767): taxation on paper, lead, tea, glass, etc
impact of the economic policies of British colonies in North America
-Heavy taxation speeding the resistance of the colonies
“Taxation without representation is tyranny” → resentment began to grow in the
American colonies
external factors for the outbreak of the American revolution
-inspirations from European revolution
-impact of the enlightenment
example of successful European revolution that inspired Americans
British Glorious Revolution: Provided the foundation for the drafting of the constitution of the United states of America
What were the main Enlightenment ideas?
-basic human rights
-equality before law + the rule of law
-popular sovereignty: rulers rule with the consent of people
How did the enlightenment influence the Americans?
Enlightenment ideas encouraged the Americans to challenge the contemporary government.
Course of the american revolution
Before the Revolution:
1. Boston Tea Party
2. First Continental Congress
During the Revolution:
1. Battle of Lexington
2. Second Continental Congress
3. Declaration of Independence
4. Battle of Yorktown
5. Treaty of Paris
Boston Tea Party (1773)
- In March 1770, the British troops in Boston shot and killed people (the Boston Massacre)
- The British government favored their own trade by allowing tea to be sold to the colonies duty-free.
- In order to fight back, the Americans boarded British ships and poured 300 boxes of tea into the sea.
First Continental Congress (1774)
- The representatives of the colonies in North America met in Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress.
- The British refused to abolish the unreasonable taxation bills, hence, people from all colonies formed their own militia.
Battle of Lexington(1775)
The revolution started officially followed by a group of British troops starting a fight with North American militias in Lexington.
Second Continental congress (1775)
- the congress approved the re-organization of militias as the continental army
- george washington was appointed as trhe commander-in-chief
Declaration of Independence (1776)
It declared the independence of thirteen colonies and the formation of an independent nation in the name of the “United States of America”.
Battle of Yorktown (1781)
- With the help from France, spain and the netherlands, the american army defeated the british army in yorktown, virginia
- the birtish army surrendered and agreed to have a peace negotiation
Results of the american revolution – the birth of the united states
- When the declaration of independence was passed in 1776, the united states of america was officially formed
- the declaration of independence was passed on 4 july, which became the national day of the US
Treaty of Paris (1783)
- Britain formally recognized the independence of the United States of America.
- The eight-year American Revolution ended.
