Lecture-22-American Revolution and Independence of United States
Lecture-22-American Revolution and Independence of United States
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The American Revolution was a pivotal moment in history, marking the emergence of the
United States as an independent nation. It was characterized by political upheaval, military
conflict, and ideological transformation, fundamentally altering the colonial relationship
between Britain and its American colonies.
1. Background
The American Revolution had its roots in the British colonies' growing dissatisfaction with
British rule, primarily due to taxation without representation and the lack of colonial voices
in British Parliament. This discontent was fueled by the aftermath of the Seven Years' War
(known in the colonies as the French and Indian War) and Britain's attempts to recover war
costs from the colonies. The conflict was not an inevitable separatist movement but a crisis
within a large empire. Britain and the colonies clashed over what it meant to be part of that
empire – who had rights, who could tax, and how much say colonists should have in their
governance. While the end goal was independence, not all colonists were equally
enthusiastic. Factions formed based on how radically they wanted to break from Britain, with
some favoring negotiation while others embraced violent revolt. Economic grievances are
well-known, but the intellectual ferment was equally important. Circulating pamphlets
debated Locke and Enlightenment ideals, shaping not just the will to revolt, but what kind of
nation America could be.