Introduction
The American Revolution served as the start towards the search for self-governing and independence in America. The war between the French and Indians marked the rise of the English colonists who moved to occupy productive territories in North America. The consequences of the war include loss of French and Spanish supremacy in North America and the rise of colonists from England. The enlightenment, which resulted from the war and constitutional arguments, enabled individuals to develop ideas regarding freedom and independence.
Consequences of the French and Indian war
The French and Indian wars were prompted by the prosperous growth of the British and French who had identified the territory as a suitable settling zone. Prior to the war, the French occupied massive tracks of land in North America from Mississippi River up to Louisiana. As the British settlers increased around this region, their interest for the French occupied land increased.
The war between the French and Indians lasted for seven years and brought about several changes among the American and British colonies. The consequences involved the political, ideological, and economic aspects of the relations between Americans and the colonists. The British soldiers won and this enabled them to dominate over the entire North American region. However, due to the debts accrued during the war, the colonist’s loyalty towards the British was not stable.
Furthermore, the war had significant effects on the colonies. The moral among individuals living in the colonies increased and they increased their loyalty towards the British. The colonies referred to this loyalty as loyalty to the Crown. The British begun to settle in the new territory as the loyalty grew. The British developed pride and an eagerness to serve the Crown. The victory increased the colonial pride among the settlers. Dominating the colonies for the British enabled them to occupy the best areas. Following this state, the settlers began practicing agriculture and seeking raw materials for the industrial revolution in Europe.
After the war, the French settlers lost the tracks of land to the British and Spanish settlers. Later on, the French lost control and possession of their former territories in North America. The British became the strongest force in North America. However, this attracted serious conflicts later as the South America states objected the North America rule.
British victory during the French and Indian war proved costly as King George the 3rd looked forward to taxing the colonies as a measure to recover the expenses from the war. His government also aimed at reestablishing control over the colonial governments that had begun acting independently because the war had distracted the crown. A series of events, which occurred in 1765-1770, agitated the colonialists. These events characterized the Boston Massacre, the stamp act and the Townsend Acts. However, the attempt to tax tea, which was imposed by the crown, led to the American Revolution.
The colonies did not comply with the Townsend Acts with the claim that they would not adhere to the act which came from parliament in which they lacked representation. In response, parliament drew back the requirements with the exception of the tea duty. The move demonstrated parliament’s ability to impose taxes on the colonies. Having noted that the colonists did not embrace the acts, parliament modified them to incorporate the suggestions. Payment of the taxes meant that the colonists had agreed to the taxation imposed by Parliament. Therefore, they did not accept to abide by the regulations in a bid to appear independent from the Crown.
Parliament took punitive measure to the colonies that failed to pay the duty for their tea. The measures included stalling the tea, which came from these colonies. Ships, which ferried the tea, did not depart the harbors until the colonies accepted to pay the taxes. Due to the upcoming rebellion, parliament closed off the port of Boston due to the collaboration with colonies who failed to remit the taxes for their tea.
The Enlightenment and Its Effects on the Revolution
The enlightenment had great influence to the American Revolution. It motivated the colonists to break away and act independently from the Crown. The colonists managed to perceive a different lifestyle than how they lived under the British parliament. Locke assumed a vital role in the enlightenment and the consequent effect towards the American Revolution. The period brought changes to social, economic, and political aspects of the colonist and Native Americans.
Individuals gained knowledge, which they used to raise arguments about the role of the Crown. In the political scene, the individuals had begun understanding how government functions and they used this knowledge to seek independence. The first continental congress people gathered to express their views regarding natural rights such as life, property, and liberty. Further, in a bid to draw away from British administration the colonists began developing policies and regulations, which borrowed the concepts of the English constitution.
The social contract also developed as people agreed to establish a socialized community that would uphold the morals and rules that exists. Scientific revolution that occurred during the period also inspired societies with the breakthroughs in medicine increasing the mortality rate. Individuals sought independence with the confidence that they would sustain themselves due to the scientific knowledge they had gained. The limited government and consent from the governed came up as social arrangements, which paved way for the American Revolution. Writings from Joseph Hobbes contributed greatly in the enlightenment period as they demystified concepts of political administration, which were not widely understood.
The development of republicanism
Republicanism refers to a set of political values, which played a great role in the American Revolution. The values include “unalienable rights” as stated within the bill of rights and liberty as the core values in republicanism. These main principles ensure that individuals exist as a sovereign state. It rejects inherited power and aristocracy in politics. Furthermore, citizens are expected to perform their civic duties independently.
The concepts held in republicanism maintain a particular lifestyle and form of government. The founding fathers sourced these ideologies from English models and the Renaissance. They formed the foundations of the American Revolution along with the Declaration of Independence.
Republicanism stands out from other types of democracy because it affirms that every individual has a set of unalienable rights, which nobody can control. As compared to the fundamental concepts of democracy, which advocate for the decision of the majority republicanism upholds the rights of every individual. Further, it puts forward that courts should intervene in the situation where democracy overlooks the rights of smaller groups.
Other than playing a role in the revolution, the concepts of republicanism served as a pillar during the search for independence in America. The founding fathers used these concepts to fight corruption and greed, which had hindered progress. The revolutionaries leant from ancient empires that luxury destroyed empires such as Rome. During this period, a virtuous citizen was seen as one who ignored any monetary compensation and served with the urge to eradicate and resist corruption. The ability to ignore self-interest enabled the citizens to define the interests they had for the republic. In addition, the concept of a republic with greater significance than an individual emerged.
Differences in political ideologies
The Articles of Confederation served as the first laws used to govern the nation. However, later on the founding fathers perceived that the laws had some weakness. They held that individual states had received too much power and a need to establish a national government existed. The ideology to have a national government was supported by the federalists while the anti-federalists opposed the idea.
The differences between federalists and the anti-federalist emerged due to the ideologies held by both political camps. The federalists advocated to a central government, which would promote trade due to the vast resources while Anti-federalists opposed the Articles of Confederation. Anti-federalists sought for a stronger government, which would focus on basic issues before addressing the national issues.
The federalists maintained that local functions had a chance to dominate state politics. However, they believed that the nation would receive protection from the national government and no single function would have enough power and resources to dominate the nation. Hamilton had suggested these ideas regarding dominance over the national government.
Anti-federalists perceived that with concentration of power to the national government, the political elite would monopolize the administration. The Jefferesonian democracy, which acted as the foundation for the anti-federalists, held that with federal government the ruling class would dictate national affairs. John Jay, Madison, and Hamilton authored the Federalist papers, which guided the ideologies held by the federalists at the time.
America’s Founding
Virginia shaped the social perspective of America in terms of economic activities and religion. The colonists from Virginia acquired their fortunes from agricultural practices. The natives had not adapted this form of agriculture. Although they cultivated their land and engaged in farming, they did this at a small scale. However, the Virginia colonists brought a different aspect of farming which served commercial purposes.
In terms of political administration, the English colonists and Virginia colonists had similar techniques. The court system implemented by both colonists enabled the natives to develop an idea of how courts work. The colonial administrators held that courts facilitated the administration of justice. The most significant founder was New England because English colonists occupied a greater part of America and colonized more individuals than the Virginia colonists. In addition, the Virginian colonists borrowed most of their policies from the British parliament. New England shaped America in terms of religion. The colonies under New England had a different view of religion and faith in terms of religious freedom.
Conclusion
The events that occurred prior to the revolution, equipped the founding fathers with ideas regarding political administration and human rights. The making of the nation took many steps, and although some seemed like challenges; they assisted by providing important lessons which became the foundations of freedom and liberty.
