AMERICAN REVOLUTION (1765-1791)

AMERICAN REVOLUTION (1765-1791)

The American Revolution was an ideological and political movement in colonial North America, resulting in the Thirteen Colonies gaining independence from Britain and establishing the United States of America as a constitutional liberal democracy.

Establishment of America

Discovery and Settlement: America was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Various colonies were settled by Europeans, beginning with Virginia in 1607. Over time, 13 colonies were established. These colonies were settled primarily by Europeans escaping religious persecution, particularly from Britain.

Causes of the Revolution

1. Social Causes:

• Diversified Society: The American colonies were home to various European ethnicities, leading to cultural diversity, which often clashed with the British cultural dominance.
• Detachment from Europe: Although originally settled by Europeans, generations of Americans no longer felt a strong connection to Britain.
• Disappointment with British Attitudes: Britain’s exploitative and dominant approach toward the colonies led to increasing resentment among the colonists.

2. Political Pains:

• British Interventionism: Many settlers had fled England to escape religious persecution. British attempts to interfere in colonial affairs created fear of losing their freedoms again.
• Gentleman’s Resolution: Americans demanded representation in the British Parliament, feeling it was unjust to pay taxes without political representation.
• Seven Years War (1756-1763): The war between Britain and France led to heavy taxes on the colonies (e.g., Sugar Duty, Stamp Duty). This increased the call for representation, captured by the slogan “No taxation without representation.”
• Vacuum of Political Independence: The colonies were economically and socially independent, which fueled their desire for political independence from the British Crown.
• Ideas of Liberalism: The American colonies embraced liberal democratic principles that were incompatible with the British monarchy.
• Protests: Protests like the Boston Tea Party (1773), where colonists threw British tea into the sea, symbolized growing resistance to British rule.

3. Economic Pains:

• Western Land Policies: Under the Quebec Act of 1774, traders were restricted from settling or trading without British permission, affecting economic opportunities.
• High Taxation: American colonists faced high taxes, particularly due to Britain’s expenses in the British-French war.
• Trade Monopoly: The British government controlled trade with policies like the EXIM Policy, which forced colonies to buy British goods (e.g., potatoes, tea, tobacco).
• Navigation Acts: Laws such as the Navigation Law of 1651 forced American colonies to export goods through British ports, increasing costs and limiting competition.
• Industrial Policy: Like in India, the colonies exported raw materials to Britain and imported British finished goods, which hindered local industry.

These economic issues degraded the social status of Americans and led to growing dissatisfaction with British rule.

4. Role Played by Intellectuals:

Intellectuals were instrumental in rallying public opinion and organizing resistance against British rule. Key intellectuals include:

• Thomas Paine: Published the pamphlet “Common Sense” advocating for American independence.
• Benjamin Franklin: Engaged in philosophical debates to awaken public consciousness.
• Henry Patrick: Famous for his statement “Give me death or independence.”
• Philosophers like Locke, Harrington, and Milton: Their ideas inspired revolutionary sentiments and pushed the colonies toward imagining independence.

Phases of American Revolution (Summarized)

• Grinville’s Policy: Imposing taxes and restricting American trade fueled movements like the Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty.
• Boston Massacre: British PM Rockingham’s actions, including abolishing the Stamp Act and increasing import duties, led to tension. A confrontation in Boston resulted in the Boston Massacre in 1770, escalating colonial resistance.
• Lord North’s Tea Policy: A policy allowing British companies to sell tea without toll taxes led to the Boston Tea Party in 1773. The symbolic act of dumping tea into the sea protested British monopolies and catalyzed the revolution.
• First Philadelphia Convention (1774): Representatives from 12 colonies met and petitioned Britain with demands, including removing trade restrictions and offering representation in the British Parliament.
• Second Philadelphia Convention (1776): This was convened after the failure of the First Philadelphia Convention when King George III sent an army to suppress the American revolt. The Second Philadelphia Convention, held on July 4, 1776, resulted in Thomas Jefferson drafting the Declaration of Independence, which asserted that all men are equal in the eyes of the state. This marked the start of the American War of Independence.
• War of Independence: Key battles such as the Battle of Concord and Battle of Lexington were fought between American forces and British troops. The French played a crucial role in 1781 by sending General Lafayette and forces to aid the Americans. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed between the U.S. and British representatives, which officially ended the war and established American independence.
• Third Philadelphia Convention: This convention led to the formation of the U.S. Constitution, which featured unique characteristics like:

• Federation
• Bill of Rights

Salient Features and the Impact of the Revolution

1. Immediate Impact

• Treaty of Paris (1783): The treaty granted independence to the United States and recognized its sovereignty, also giving the new country significant territorial claims.
• Complete Independence: The revolution ended British rule in the U.S. and created an independent republic, marking the end of the First British Empire.

2. Substantive Impact

• Age of Liberalism: The American Revolution heralded an era of liberal democracies based on individual liberties and equality. Its ideals were reflected in later revolutions, such as the French Revolution of 1789.
• Constitutionalism: The American Revolution led to the first written constitution in the world, inspiring other nations to adopt similar frameworks.
• Democratic Upsurge: The U.S. became one of the first modern democracies, influencing the spread of democratic ideas globally.
• Fundamental Rights: The U.S. Constitution included a Bill of Rights, which protected individual freedoms and limited government power.
• Increased Political Participation: More citizens gained the right to vote, and common citizens began to play a larger role in governance at the local and state levels.
• Global Trade: The revolution opened new markets and allowed the U.S. to engage in free trade with other nations.
• Rise of External Power: The U.S. emerged as a balancing power in global geopolitics, particularly in Europe, by the 19th century.

3. Impact on India

• Inspiration for Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi drew significant inspiration from the American Revolution in his quest to resist British colonialism. The ideas of liberty and opposition to taxation without representation resonated with the Indian freedom struggle.
• Freedom Struggle: The values of the American Revolution, including the fight against unjust taxes and British dominance, greatly influenced the Indian National Movement.
• Constitutional Values: The values of constitutionalism and democracy were similarly accommodated in Indian Constitution. Some of the values incorporated are

• Fundamental rights: inspired from Bill of Rights
• Philosophies of Liberalism, Democracy and Republic
• Federalism: which is basic structure of Indian Constitution

How American Revolution differed from Indian Revolution

• The American Revolution was unique compared to other nationalist uprisings like in India or other British colonies in the East.
• In the American Revolution, British settlers fought against British authorities, while in India and the West Indies, the native population rebelled against foreign rulers.

Influence of the American Revolution on the French Revolution

• The French Revolution was partly inspired by the American Revolution due to the following:
  • Economic Struggles: Both revolutions dealt with unfair taxation systems.
  • Royal Absolutism: American colonists revolted against British monarchy, while the French aimed to eliminate Louis XVI’s absolute power.
  • Unequal Rights: Like the Americans, the French were dissatisfied with the privileges given to certain groups within their society.
  • Enlightenment Philosophy: Ideas of natural rights, equality, and liberty, which fueled the American Revolution, were also key to the French Revolution.

Reasons for Industrial Revolution in America:

America had strong potential for an industrial revolution due to the following:

• • Natural Resources: For instance, Pennsylvania was rich in resources.
  • Agriculture: Mechanized agriculture and the availability of labor played a crucial role.
  • Political Values: The strong values of Republic Federation and Liberalism in America promoted industrial growth.
  • Opportunities in America:
    • Europe was going through turmoil due to the French Revolution and various uprisings. This led industrialists and capitalists to move toward America.
    • As a result, America was able to surpass Europe in terms of development after years of isolation.
  • Infrastructural Revolution in America:
    • Innovations like the Macadamized Road and the Canal Age (e.g., Erie Canal, Philadelphia Canal) were significant to American industrial development.
    • Continental railway system: Morth & South Pacific railway, Grand continental railway
    • Field of navigation: steamboats by Robert Fulton

• Technological developments

• • • Watham System of 1812: promoted textile industry
    • Art of making steel: promoted heavy industries and steel sector

• Cotton Textile reaction

• • Continental policy turned Europe as a market for USA. It ultimately gave birth to stock exchange in USA