*Explain 5 consequences of the American Revolution besides the obvious
attainment of independence.
*Please note that each student should explain only one point and no point
should be repeated.
*I expect at least one quote for each point.
Due next class.
The American Revolution of 1775-1783 was one of the most remarkable historical events of all time. It was a revolutionary war based on the fight for justice and equality for American colonists and freedom from the bounds and shackles of Britain, its then mother colony. There are many reasons why the colonists of America felt the greatly intensified need to rebel against Britain which included unnecessary and unbearable taxes however it is the consequences which proceeded this spectacular event which makes it undeniably unforgettable and simply irresistible to the modern day historian. One of the most memorable impacts of the American Revolution stems interestingly from an economic aspect which will be the focus of my responses. Both America and Britain were both strongly economically affected by the American Revolution however whereas Britain suffered financially after the Revolution, America flourished. This was due to several reasons caused by the American Revolution but this did not occur immediately but was rather an ongoing and gradual process
Historian Maldwyn Jones (1983) noted that among the many effects of the American Revolution is the profound impact of Republican Ideology. The Republican Ideology emphasized the inalienable rights which according to the Declaration of Independence are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it negated all forms of inherited power and rejected corruption within government.
After the American Revolution and the rise in Republicanism, society was no longer stratified based on ascribed principles but rather achieved factors such as education and accumalated wealth. Renaissance ideologies such as John Locke's tabula rasa, which stated that all men are created equal radically changed the framework of American society. The impact of this theory was seen in Virginia Declarartion of Rights (1776). This declaration noted "that no Man,or Set of Men are entitled to exclusive or seperate Emoluments or Privileges from the Community..." and "the Idea of a Man born a Magistrate, a Legislator, or a Judge is unnatural and absurd." Every man is born with a blank slate and has the liberty to achieve whatever he can. His destiny is not ordained by anyone but himself. As a result of this, in 1787, The Federal Constitution forbade the creation of titles of nobility as all men are created equal.
Furthermore, John Locke's "social contract" emphasized that the power held by governments has been ordained to them by the people and they should act to preserve the common good and serve the interests of the governed. If they fail to do so, society preserves the right to overthrow their governments and elect another one.
Americans no longer accepted oppression, corruption within government was vilified and the ascribed barriers were broken down to create a free and equal society.
There were many causes as a result of the American Revolution. This answer will be focusing on one point which is Political Reform. Political Reform after the American Revolution started during the war itself. Persons were not happy with the hardships brought on by the war. According to Peter Lane 1978 “ In 1780 the case of reform was put to the Commons by MP Dunningings with a famous resolution that the influence of the crown has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished.” This was the sentiment viewed by the Americans and they were already enlightened by the many idealogoigies of free men and their place in life. However Parliament did not share the same views due to the fact of the opposition to the king was divided and there was no unified front.
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America. They first rejected the authority of the Parliament of Great Britain to govern them from overseas without representation, and then expelled all royal officials. Maldwin A Jones referred to the American Revolution as a civil war which not only divided social classes but families also, having two separate classes the Loyalist who were loyal to the crown were referred to as Tories and their opponents were those fighting for liberty and freedom. Religion was used as an impetus by Americans in an excuse to war with Britain. Since the King of England was the head of the church Anglican priests, at their ordination, swore allegiance to the King and if they had broken their oat it would be considered as treason and the penalty would be death. After the Revolution Americans were free to practice other denominations within the Religious clergy. Well, stated by Jones consequence of the Revolutionary upheaval was the strengthening of religious freedom. During the Enlightenment period it was said that the presence of Religion was being eroded by different European ideology and was further weakened during the Revolution. Although Americans remained religious people they also insisted on retaining a religious dimension in their national life. In 1789 George Washington proclaimed a Day of Thanksgiving for the inauguration of the Constitution.
The American Revolution affected both Britain and America significantly regarding economics but both in very different ways. After the American Revolution,America became an in dependent state. This however had its benefits as well as its struggles. America was now free to trade with any nation they desired. This was very fortunate for them as they now had a wider market to make greater profits. In addition, they received all the land east of the Mississippi river and south of the Great Lakes. According to Ben Baak This would later prove to have tremendous benefits for America. The US was also able to sell these lands. Despite this, being inexperienced to this new found freedom and having to adjust as a new independent state they suffered shortly after the American Revolution because no longer could they depend on Britain for financial support. To add to America's distress, Britain tried to destroy America's funding system. They counterfeited the US dollar which of course decreased its value. These counterfeits were distributed by British agents and armies. The value decreased by 20%. Prior to this, America had already suffered economic losses after the war due to the war's destruction of human resources, property and markets.
Another economic killer that was brought upon America because of the war was incurred debts. To make matters worst, the US had repudiated its own currency and therefore had no power of taxation and in turn had no source of revenue to pay off these debts. In addition another source of income, trade was being disrupted during the 1780's due to the fact that more states began imposing tariffs on goods from the states. Luckily, for America their new constitution addressed many of these problems. Overtime, taxation within America did become beneficial to the American colonists. Therefore America may have suffered greatly after the war but it proved to be far more beneficial for them in the long run. Britain suffered economic losses as well like incurred debts from the war such as America and the most obvious being the loss of one of their most prosperous colonies.
The American Revolution of 1775-1783 was one of the most remarkable historical events of all time. It was a revolutionary war based on the fight for justice and equality for American colonists and freedom from the bounds and shackles of Britain, its then mother colony. There are many reasons why the colonists of America felt the greatly intensified need to rebel against Britain which included unnecessary and unbearable taxes however it is the consequences which proceeded this spectacular event which makes it undeniably unforgettable and simply irresistible to the modern day historian. One of the most memorable impacts of the American Revolution stems interestingly from an economic aspect which will be the focus of my responses. Both America and Britain were both strongly economically affected by the American Revolution however whereas Britain suffered financially after the Revolution, America flourished. This was due to several reasons caused by the American Revolution but this did not occur immediately but was rather an ongoing and gradual process
ReplyDeleteHistorian Maldwyn Jones (1983) noted that among the many effects of the American Revolution is the profound impact of Republican Ideology. The Republican Ideology emphasized the inalienable rights which according to the Declaration of Independence are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it negated all forms of inherited power and rejected corruption within government.
ReplyDeleteAfter the American Revolution and the rise in Republicanism, society was no longer stratified based on ascribed principles but rather achieved factors such as education and accumalated wealth. Renaissance ideologies such as John Locke's tabula rasa, which stated that all men are created equal radically changed the framework of American society. The impact
of this theory was seen in Virginia Declarartion of Rights (1776). This declaration noted "that no Man,or Set of Men are entitled to exclusive or seperate Emoluments or Privileges from the Community..." and "the Idea of a Man born a
Magistrate, a Legislator, or a Judge is unnatural and absurd." Every man is born with a blank slate and has the liberty to achieve whatever he can. His destiny is not ordained by anyone but himself. As a result of this, in 1787, The Federal Constitution forbade the creation of titles of nobility as all men are created equal.
Furthermore, John Locke's "social contract" emphasized that the power held by governments has been ordained to them by the people and they should act to preserve the common good and serve the interests of the governed. If they fail to do so, society preserves the right to overthrow their governments and elect another one.
Americans no longer accepted oppression, corruption within government was vilified and the ascribed barriers were broken down to create a free and equal society.
There were many causes as a result of the American Revolution. This answer will be focusing on one point which is Political Reform.
ReplyDeletePolitical Reform after the American Revolution started during the war itself. Persons were not happy with the hardships brought on by the war. According to Peter Lane 1978 “ In 1780 the case of reform was put to the Commons by MP Dunningings with a famous resolution that the influence of the crown has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished.” This was the sentiment viewed by the Americans and they were already enlightened by the many idealogoigies of free men and their place in life. However Parliament did not share the same views due to the fact of the opposition to the king was divided and there was no unified front.
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America. They first rejected the authority of the Parliament of Great Britain to govern them from overseas without representation, and then expelled all royal officials. Maldwin A Jones referred to the American Revolution as a civil war which not only divided social classes but families also, having two separate classes the Loyalist who were loyal to the crown were referred to as Tories and their opponents were those fighting for liberty and freedom.
ReplyDeleteReligion was used as an impetus by Americans in an excuse to war with Britain. Since the King of England was the head of the church Anglican priests, at their ordination, swore allegiance to the King and if they had broken their oat it would be considered as treason and the penalty would be death. After the Revolution Americans were free to practice other denominations within the Religious clergy. Well, stated by Jones consequence of the Revolutionary upheaval was the strengthening of religious freedom. During the Enlightenment period it was said that the presence of Religion was being eroded by different European ideology and was further weakened during the Revolution. Although Americans remained religious people they also insisted on retaining a religious dimension in their national life. In 1789 George Washington proclaimed a Day of Thanksgiving for the inauguration of the Constitution.
The American Revolution affected both Britain and America significantly regarding economics but both in very different ways. After the American Revolution,America became an in dependent state. This however had its benefits as well as its struggles. America was now free to trade with any nation they desired. This was very fortunate for them as they now had a wider market to make greater profits. In addition, they received all the land east of the Mississippi river and south of the Great Lakes. According to Ben Baak This would later prove to have tremendous benefits for America. The US was also able to sell these lands.
ReplyDeleteDespite this, being inexperienced to this new found freedom and having to adjust as a new independent state they suffered shortly after the American Revolution because no longer could they depend on Britain for financial support. To add to America's distress, Britain tried to destroy America's funding system. They counterfeited the US dollar which of course decreased its value. These counterfeits were distributed by British agents and armies. The value decreased by 20%. Prior to this, America had already suffered economic losses after the war due to the war's destruction of human resources, property and markets.
Another economic killer that was brought upon America because of the war was incurred debts. To make matters worst, the US had repudiated its own currency and therefore had no power of taxation and in turn had no source of revenue to pay off these debts. In addition another source of income, trade was being disrupted during the 1780's due to the fact that more states began imposing tariffs on goods from the states. Luckily, for America their new constitution addressed many of these problems. Overtime, taxation within America did become beneficial to the American colonists. Therefore America may have suffered greatly after the war but it proved to be far more beneficial for them in the long run. Britain suffered economic losses as well like incurred debts from the war such as America and the most obvious being the loss of one of their most prosperous colonies.
ReplyDeleteWell thank you Claudene et al for commenting. Jhonoton I am still waiting for your response.
ReplyDelete