The American Revolution An Enlightened Revolution?

Upheaval The first part of the 18th century saw little change to the fundamental social and political stability of Western societies In the last quarter of the century, a series of massive upheavals would change this stagnation into revolution The Thirteen Colonies of Britain were the first to revolt…

The Thirteen Colonies More than 2 million people lived in the Thirteen colonies The Colonies were part of Great Britain, and were subject to British trade regulations The Colonies had begun acting against these British regulations developing patterns of local government working around mercantilism

Commercial Regulations & Taxes The British felt as if they had defended the Colonies from the French and Natives during the Seven Years’ War and expected to be repaid They set new trade regulations and taxes (which you will read about today) The colonists began to protest, boycott and riot over these new restrictions “NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION”

Clashing Ideas “Americas” used Enlightenment ideas to argue that their fundamental rights were being violated The believed a fight for independence was therefore justified The British were against rebellion, and sided with parliamentary sovereignty – argued their demands of the colonies were reasonable

First Continental Congress 1774 American political leaders in favour of full independence from Britain meet Want to persuade Parliament to loosen its grip on the colonies King George III increases British forces in America saying; “blows must decide whether they are to be subject to the Country or Independent”

Revolution Forged in Blood Fighting between the British and Americans on American soil begins in 1775 July 4th, 1776: Congress issues the Declaration of Independence (mostly written by Thomas Jefferson based on the writings of John Locke and Enlightenment thinkers) And years later, Nic Cage will steal it

France Sides With America After 1777, the French send money, ships and troops to aid the Americans Britain was also at war with the Dutch and Spanish – Britain could lose the West Indies, Mediterranean and Indian colonies

France Sides With America 1781 – The French defeat the British in Virginia and the British decide the cost outweighs the benefit of keeping America 1783 – The Treaty of Paris recognizes American independence

Creating a Nation 1787 – American constitution establishes a central government with a balance of power The Bill of Rights – protects individual liberties and separates church and state 1/5 of people were still slaves and only property owners could vote BUT there is: popular control (gov’t of the people, by the people, for the people), personal freedom and formal toleration

Effects of the American Revolution Many in Europe saw the American Revolution as a victory for Enlightenment ideals The debt that France went into for helping the Americans and the ideas of the American Revolution would become a problem for the French monarchy…

Enlightenment Ideas in the Revolution Freedom and reason = British taxation as unfair Right to religious freedom Locke – everyone having freedom of life, liberty and property (this last one replaced by “the pursuit of happiness”) & right to revolt Montesquieu – balance of power (Federal, Legislative & Judicial branches) Rousseau – power of democracy and of the consent of the people & social contract Voltaire – separation of church and state