American Revolutionary War is the revolution, which aimed at gaining the US independence because of the growing conflict between some American colonies and the British Crown. Though initially being a revolution, it soon developed into the international war, as France got involved in it in 1775 ("American Revolution History - American Revolution - HISTORY.com", 2009, n.p.). So, what were the causes and consequences of the American Revolutionary War? What role did French and Indian War play? What was the effect of taxation? Let us consider these and some other aspects of American Revolutionary War in detail.
Causes and Consequences
Until the beginning of the revolution in 1775, there has already been a tension between some American colonies and the British Crown. Colonists protested against raised taxation. Moreover, they demanded equal rights with British residents. However, it was almost impossible for them to succeed, because they had few representatives in the Parliament ("American Revolution History - American Revolution - HISTORY.com", 2009, n.p.).
The Boston Massacre is one of the most prominent causes that led to the beginning of the revolution. It happened in 1770 and characterized by severe violence against colonists; as a result, British soldiers killed five of the coloists ("American Revolution History - American Revolution - HISTORY.com", 2009, n.p.).
Another cause derived from French and Indian War, which started in 1754 and continued for seven years. The reason for this war was the residence of British as well as French settlers in the River Valley of Ohio, which at the time was the territory of the today’s state of Pennsylvania. Everybody wanted the rights over this valley as it had enormous potential for economic growth. First, they tried to solve the problem diplomatically but later the French took control over the area and were keeping it for two years. However, in 1976, William Pit, who was then the Prime Minister of the British Crown, worked out a careful plan to get rid of French not only in the Ohio Valley, but also in other regions, which they controlled, particularly India. In 1760, the French lost Canada and all American lands ("Causes and Effects of the American Revolution", n.d., n.p.).
After the French and Indian War, the British government imposed other kinds of taxes on its colonies, as the British had to pay debts originated from making the war with the French. The Stamp Act, for example, taxed all kinds of papers and documents. This and other acts on taxes resulted in armed rebellion of the Americans.
Role of Prominent Leaders
The revolution would be impossible without people who were fighting for the idea of the independence. Paul Revere is one of many prominent leaders, which contributed to the development of American Revolutionary War by means of the Boston Tea Party in which he took part. He was engaged in spying on the British soldiers. Thus, it was Paul Revere who warned the town of Lexington about the moving towards British ("Famous People in the American Revolution", n.d., n.p.).
George Washington is the first president of the United States of America. He was leading the army during the American Revolution. Though his army was not numerous, he once gained victory over the British near Boston in 1776 ("Famous People in the American Revolution", n.d., n.p.).
Benjamin Franklin is a Founding Father of the Declaration of Independence, as well as the Constitution of the United States of America. The Pennsylvania Assembly sent him to England in 1757 to negotiate the issue of the colony’s proprietors. It was hard time then for both the American colonies and the Great Britain. Thus, he had overall responsibility for the future of his country ("Famous People in the American Revolution", n.d., n.p.).
Declaration of Independence and Constitution
The Declaration of Independence explained the British the main reasons for their burning desire to separate from them. Due to the American Revolutionary War, the American colonies had the opportunity to detach themselves from the authority of the British Crown. Their own army, government and currency represented this detachment. In 1776, Richard Lee declared that the Unites States of America should have absolute freedom from other nations. He declared a resolution, which newly formed congees agreed and began to take measures to implement it. Thomas Jefferson drafted the letter of the declaration. It took only a day for him to complete it which shows his devotion to what he did ("Causes and Effects of the American Revolution", n.d., n.p.).
The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1776, were the main means of running the newly established Continental Congress, but they had very little power, thus were ineffective. The Constitutional Convention altered the Articles of Confederation, as the prior did not prove sufficient in governing the nation. The biggest issue in the adoption of the Constitution was the proportional representation referring to big and small states. Ultimately, small states gained victory in solving this issue of proportion ("Causes and Effects of the American Revolution", n.d., n.p.).
Conclusions
The American Revolutionary War was a crucial event in the history of the American nation and the country of the United States of America. There were many causes that led to the revolution, among them French and Indian War, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, First and Second Continental Congresses, Thomas Paine and Common Sense. In consequence of all the above-mentioned events, the United States of America became an independent state with its own tools, which are necessary to govern the country.
References
American Revolution History - American Revolution - HISTORY.com. (2009). HISTORY.com. Retrieved 6 May 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history
Causes and Effects of the American Revolution. Mrnussbaum.com. Retrieved 6 May 2016, from http://mrnussbaum.com/arce/
Famous People in the American Revolution. Biography.com. Retrieved 6 May 2016, from http://www.biography.com/people/groups/american-revolution
