American Revolution – UPSC GS1

Greatest movement in human history for freedom and equality

Colonies were exploited by Britain

13 colonies came together against mercantilism

Led to declaration of independence and birth of USA

Modern values like Constitution, Democracy, Republic, Bill of Rights, Equality etc.

Economy : Mercantilism

Navigation law 1651: American ships compulsory sail towards Britain portsEXIM policy: Britain complete monopoly over EXIM of certain products like potato, tobacco, sugarcane etc.

Role of intellectual class:

Thomas Paine: Common sense (book) – drain of wealth, American independenceBenjamin Franklin: ideological centres (Philosophical society of America)Henry Patrick: Give me death or independenceTaught masses -> emancipation of society

Social Structure of America – Common bond of unity among 13 colonies was exploitation from Britain

7 years wars between England and France : 1756-1763 over possession of Canada. American get exposed to trading outside, understood their importance, France also left Canada, French aggression over

Grenville Policy : Imposed old restrictions like navigational laws, new taxes – Sons of liberty and daughters of liberty

Ruckingham Declaration (Britain can still impose taxes) and Townshed Plan 1767 : Increased the duty on certain products like glass, cotton, potato, tobacco – Boston massacre under Samuel Adams

Lord North’s Tea Policy: Increased duty on Tea trade, Boston Tea Party 1773 ( Throwing away of Tea crates. Wanted “No taxation without representation)

First Philadelphia Convention 1774

Britain should abolish all restriction on American trade and commerceRepresentation in legislation ( No taxation without representation)

King George III considered a revolt so he declared military action

This was beginning of American War of Independence

This led to Second Philadelphia Convention : Declaration of American Independence on 4th July, 1775

Declaration of Thomas Jefferson: Humanism and Welfare are parameters of government13colonies accepted common agenda of unity : became USA

American won war of independence under George Washington and by Treaty of Paris in 1783, Britain left its right on American colonies

Led to 3rd PD : Preparation of Consultation for USA

Inspiration to other colonies : France , India etc.

Republican form of government: Solution for despotic Monarchy

Manmade constitution: Basic features wereFederalism, Separation of PowerBill of Rights, Powerful Centre

Led to French Revolution: Under Lafayette, French got involved in this war, led to financial bankruptcy of France