The American Revolution

​The American Revolution

​Terms & Names

Declaration of Independence Document declaring American independence from Britain Thomas Jefferson Author of the Declaration of Independence

William Blackstone English lawyer whose ideas are reflected in the Declaration

checks and balances System in which each branch of government checks, or limits, the power of the other two branches

federal system System of government in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Bill of Rights First ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution; protections of basic rights for individuals

​• Causes:

– As British citizens, the colonists were not treated as full citizens and had limited representation in Parliament.

The French and Indian War (Seven Years War) had resulted in large debts and the imposition of taxes on the

colonists to pay for the cost of the war.

– The economic system of mercantilism also resulted in colonial resentment, as colonial trade was limited, and

natural resources were exploited for Britain’s economic gain.

​• Characteristics:

– It was an uprising against an imperial power.

– It set up a democratic-republican form of government based on Enlightenment ideas.

– Religion did not play a major role in the American Revolution. However, ideas on the separation of church and state and religious toleration were written into the U.S. Constitution.

– The Continental Army (American) relied on its alliance with France and their knowledge of the geography and terrain to defeat the British army.

​• Consequences:

– The colonists set up a democratic-republican form of government based on the Enlightenment ideas of life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, individual rights, separation of powers, and popular sovereignty.

– While the colonies achieved their independence from Great Britain and were politically successful, the

American Revolution failed to establish equality for all citizens and did not end slavery, and thus is not

considered a social revolution.

– It inspired future revolutions in France and Latin America.

​How were the colonies governed?

The British colonies in North America grew in population and wealth during the 1700s. Population went from about 250,000 in 1700 to 2,150,000 in 1770. Economically, they prospered on trade with the nations of Europe. The 13 colonies also had a kind of self-government. People in the colonies began to see themselves less and less as British subjects. Still, Parliament passed laws that governed the colonies. One set of laws banned trade with any nation other than Britain.

​What caused Britain and America to grow apart?

The high cost of the French and Indian War led Parliament to tax the colonists. The colonists became very angry. They had never before paid taxes directly to the British government. They said that the taxes violated their rights. Since Parliament had no members from the colonies, they said, Parliament had no right to tax them.

The colonists met the first tax, passed in 1765, with a boycott of British goods. Their refusal to buy British products was very effective. It forced Parliament to repeal the law.

​Over the next decade, the colonists and Britain grew further apart. Some colonists wanted to push the colonies to independence and took actions that caused Britain to act harshly(Boston Tea Party). Eventually, the conflict led to war. Representatives of the colonies met in a congress and formed an army. In July 1776, they announced that they were independent of Britain. They issued the Declaration of Independence. Its main author was Thomas Jefferson. The document is based on Enlightenment ideas of John Locke and other writers, including the English lawyer William Blackstone.

​From 1775 to 1781, the colonies and the British fought a war in North America. The colonists had a poorly equipped army, and Britain was one of the most powerful nations in the world. However, in the end, the colonies won their independence. The British people grew tired of the cost of the war and pushed Parliament to agree to a peace. The Americans were also helped greatly by aid from France. In 1783, the two sides signed a treaty. In it, Britain recognized the independent United States of America.

​• Declaration of Independence:

– Inspired by Enlightenment thought, including the ideas of John Locke.

– Argued that people were born free and equal with the natural rights of life, liberty, and property. If the

government failed to protect these rights, the people had the right to overthrow the government.

​• U.S. Constitution:

– Separation of powers and checks and balances are ideas from Montesquieu.

– Bill of Rights are 10 amendments that were added to the Constitution to protect basic civil liberties and people

accused of crimes. Freedom of speech, press, and religion are ideas from Voltaire.

​What are some fundamental ideas in the U.S. Constitution?

The 13 states formed a new government under the Article of Confederation. This government was very weak. States held all the power and the central government had little. This proved unworkable. In 1787, American leaders met again. They wrote a new framework of government.

The Constitution of the United States drew on many Enlightenment ideas. It used Montesquieu’s idea of separation of powers into three branches of government. Through a system of checks and balances, each branch was able to prevent other branches from abusing their power. The Constitution also set up a federal system. Under this system, power was divided between national and state governments.

​The Constitution also used Locke’s idea of putting power in the hands of the people. It used Voltaire’s ideas to protect the right to free speech and freedom of religion. It used Beccaria’s ideas about a fair system of justice. Many of these rights were ensured in a set of additions to the Constitution called the Bill of Rights. The inclusion of a bill of rights helped win approval for the Constitution.