American Empire in the 18th Century

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Table of Contents

The Enlightenment Period
The American Revolution
Identification Questions
Works Cited

The Enlightenment Period

The era brought about the generation of new ideas, which affected the social, religious, and political arenas of human life. People reacted differently as societal changes bombarded them to embraced religious tolerance as well as explore the importance of life. Prior, many colonists believed God made the world but did not have any influence on it (Fogel 59). Enlightenment amplified the concepts of logical thinking and embraced rational ideologies. They also experienced a clash of political cultures demonstrated by the failure to imitate British political institutions.

The period made it possible for people to reason and make logical judgments individually. Therefore, a group of revolutionaries, among them John Locke and Thomas Hobbes developed models that got rid of oppression and campaigned for human freedom and equal governance. Many revolutionary intellectuals heightened their thinking capacity and endeavored to improve the quality of life using innovative devices (Fogel 60-61). Thomas Hobbes, for example, believed that a strong monarchical government had the power to protect people.

The American constitution is a reflection of innovative opinions that were grounded on the respect of human rights as the shaping of democracy and government by the multitude, and the partition of power. The power of mortals in the company to reach sensible conclusions that started changing the rule of nations gave birth to social equity. For example, John Locke propagated for the freedom of thought and religion by rebuffing the divinity and privileges of the English kings and queens. He drove in the notion of ‘natural’ governance systems created by people, a concept that influenced the Patriots.

The American Revolution

The uprising commenced after the French and Indian conflicts and remains one of the most substantial bits of history in America. For the purpose of this discourse, the ‘road to revolution’ is defined as the developments that led to the establishment of the United States. Historians believe that the results of the seven-year battle set off by territorial conflicts among settlers in North America paved the way to the revolution (Anderson 638). These arguments are based on the hypothesis that the war changed relations between the European powers, colonies, and colonists. As a result, the natives started reclaiming their territory. Additionally, the introduction of revenue policies and intolerable acts to settlements that lacked presentation pushed the revolutionary colonists’ thought that the policies violated Englishmen rights.

In my view, the battle produced a platform through which settlers used to stage social, intellectual, and political havoc. Historians also attribute the transformation to British and French financial distress suffered after their conflicts. British, for example, accumulated national debts and hoped to repay from revenue sources. Consequently, she undertook to levy fresh taxes on her colonies, an attempt that faced stiff opposition. This resulted in the American Revolutionary War of 1775-83.

Many people enjoyed the end of British colonial administration in her colonies. Equality and majority rule in the American systems of government were aftermaths of the revolution. The land occupied by British colonialists was also open for settlement. America opened her trade barriers, and she was able to trade through either, importing or exporting goods to countries of her choice. Restricting social boundaries were destroyed, and people experienced a fortune to mix with each other peacefully. Additionally, the governance system upheld and protected human rights and the position of women in the society was realized through the concept of the Republic Motherhood. Interestingly, the British also enjoyed some benefits. The inability of the Congress to collect owed merchant taxes opened the path for British settlement on Ohio River Valley.

Identification Questions

William Byrd II

He was a famous Virginia planter and slave owner of the 17th century who is famous for his books the History of the Dividing Line and the Secret History. While studying law in London, William developed an interest in politics and served as an aristocratic member of the Royal Society. He pushed his political aspirations through his writings that described moral leadership by condemning racism, abuse, bondage and sexual victimization. His compositions are significant because they conflicted with the British aristocratic society that was present in her protectorates.

Jonathan Edwards

He is one of the greatest theologians and philosopher of the 18th C. His theological works were linked up with reformed intellectual theology and Puritanism. Jonathan revitalized and awakened native communities through his discourses and thus promoted democracy and brightened the office of American religion in world history. He is an important contributor to the great awakening of the 18th century that cultivated the sense of unity.

The Albany Plan

This was a proposal of the unification of all British colonies in North America through the formation of a centralized government. Scholars and government officials, who felt a need to foster inter-colonial cooperation by safeguarding common interests, spearheaded the plan. Even though the program went wrong, its opinion is a contemplation of the current United States governance system. In summation, the plan worked as the blueprint for the fight for independence.

The Consumer Revolution

The 17th and 18th century upheaval was a period in the Western history, in which, manufactured goods multiplied in the market. As colonial imports increased, English merchants bumped into large debts. As a result, social classes were created and political revolts up surged as the elite nobles wanted to be recognized by the powerful kings. Britain’s national debt increased steadily, an aspect that drove her to impose direct taxes that sparked uprisings.

King George’s War

The 1743-48 military operation was fueled by territorial disputes between France and Britain. Both the powers fought each other, contributing to massive loss of Britain’s male population. Even though the conflicts were brought to an end through a peace treaty, territorial differences between the two treaties lingered on and tension remained in Europe and North America. This contributed to the eruption of the French and Indian conflicts that weakened the powers both financially and militarily.

The Boston Massacre

Britain’s determination to impose parliamentary legislation introduced violence in Boston that resulted in the death of five colonists. As a result, tension swept throughout the thirteen colonies, which in turn turned colonial sentiments against colonial powers. The massacre was followed by annual commemorations that illustrated collapsing relationships between the British and her territories, and later paved way to the American revolts.

Samuel Adams

He was a political philosopher who held an active role in the American transformation, and one of the founders of the Republican campaign. He drove political agendas that opposed British taxation without colonies’ consent. Undeniably, he is well known for provoking mob violence to achieve his goals. However, his political activities are significant because they contributed to the Boston Massacre.

The Stamp Act

This was a form of direct levy imposed on British territories in American. Under the act, duty was imposed on all printed materials. Settlers opposed the legislation by arguing that their representation made them liable to internal taxes levied in the colonies. In addition, the concept of ‘No taxation without representation’ was violated. The act was important because it elicited stiff protests and resistance that eventually paved the way to the revolt and fight for independence.

The First Continental Congress

Representatives from colonies except Georgia convened and organized a conference to return to Britain’s colonial acts. In response to the intolerable acts, the delegates opted for an economic boycott that demonstrated their authority over Britain. As a result, Britain ended the stamp act and approved the declaratory act. This convention was important because it opened the doorway for another conference that organized colonial defense during the reforms.

Thomas Paine

He was an English author who is noted for his publications, Common Sense, and the American Crisis. His works openly opposed institutionalized religion, and strongly advocated free thought and the freedom of intellection. Without doubt, Paine’s influential pamphlets inspired patriots during the fight for independence.

Loyalists

American settlers who refused to take part in revolts against colonial powers were regarded as loyalists. Their desire to remain faithful was fueled by Britain’s promises exclude them from slavery and protect them from the Patriots. Nevertheless, their commitment to remain loyal to England was threatened during the Revolution uprising that exposed them to imprisonment, harassment, and other forms of attack. As a result, slavery in the society was introduced.

John Locke

He was the most influential intellectuals during the enlightenment period. Through his epistemology and political philosophy, he shaped the social and political arena in the society. According to his hypotheses, rulers derived their power and consent to govern from the masses, and the partitioning of the government into equal functional powers. Irrefutably, Locke was an important figure in the American Revolution history because he heightened peoples’ thinking capacity through logical reasoning that eliminated oppression and campaigned for human freedom and equal governance

Northwest Ordinance

Members of the Continental Congress passed the statute law that sought to establish the federal’s sovereignty patterns across North America and admission of novel countries. In addition, the ordinance guaranteed equality between all member states, an aspect that indicated governance through democracy. This legislation was also significant as it prohibited slavery in the territory and set national competition between free and slave trade during the civil rebellions in the19th century.

Anti-federalists

They included a coalition group of individuals who formed opposition against the establishment of a stronger government. They argued for a restraining government power, were absolutely against vast presidential powers, which could undermine people’s decision, and feared that the court systems would replace local courts. The matters brought up by anti-federalists were important as such, threats existed in all political arenas.

Shay’s Rebellion

This armed uprising took place after the uprising. Revolts were precipitated by economic depression, harsh government policies, and hard currency that Americans suffered. As a result, people set up protests against the government and stopped tax collection judicial proceedings. This rebellion was important because it paved way for reformations of the Articles of Confederation.

Works Cited

Fogel, R. (2000). The Fourth Great Awakening. PDF file. Web.

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