Sample Material of Our IAS Mains History Study Kit
Subject: History (Optional)
Topic: American Revolution
American Revolution was a very important chapter in the history of the world. It gave a very serious jolt to mercantilism and colonialism and it was deeply associated with middle class aspiration. So it was middle class revolution. After this revolution America became a symbol for colonial liberation so it inspired the liberation movement in future. Furthermore U.S.A. became a living example of democratic republican government the Federal structure and individual freedom.
Weather it was simply a war of independence or American Revolution as well:
According to some critics American revolution was basically a war of independence not a revolution as it provided national liberation but not bring reform in socio-economic structure but when we examine the things closely we come to conclusion that although in comparison to French revolution it brought limited change in socio-economy structure but still it should be characterised as Revolution. It was due to the fact that even limited reforms in brought in socio-economic structure put U.S.A. for ahead then contemporary Europe later it encouraged the aspiration of French revolutionaries. That why we should accept that it was simultaneously a war of independence as well a revolution both.
Causes of American Revolution
1. The clash in economic interest: There was a basic contradiction between British colonial interest and the interest of the American people. British govt. tries to enforce navigation laws in Amass. These were inspired by marcantilished policy who objective was to put check over the such completion in shipping, wit this purpose the navigation act was introduce in 1651, 1660, 1666. Furthermore to British merchant having the monopole over purchase of rice and tobacco in American colony.
2. Specific nature of American society: Certain features of
American society make it different from European one. For example in American
settlement feudalism was almost absent, peasants were having the control over
the land and Aristocratic class was enjoying less privilege.
These factors make American a bit more progressive then European Apart from that
like European American were not bound through a common parented heritage rather
they were inspired by a common future programmed. Furthermore America was a
continent of abundance with vast natural redolence, this phenomena make average
American more optimistic.
3. Now American settlement were rising from the status of colonies and taking the shape of a nation. In other words America was a nation in making but British was not ready to recognize its new identity. (Ex—Benjamin Franklin the conference of Alburtis)
4. The interest of different classes of America were deeply associated with objective of the revolution. For example the merchants favoured Revolution in order to ensure the policy of lessaie fair in future. Smugglers were offended at the strict enforcement of the only smuggling laws. The plantation peasants of South American states were indicated to European merchants who had provided the advance money on heir plantation crops. So, these peasants were not having obligation to return money or to give plantation corps in the condition of American independence.