HIS 405 Week 2 Revolution: From Rebellion to Jeffersonian Democracy

HIS 405 Week 2 Revolution: From Rebellion to Jeffersonian Democracy

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Chamberlain University

HIS-405 US History

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Revolution: From Rebellion to Jeffersonian Democracy

The American Revolution

The American Revolution marked a pivotal transformation, where British colonists transitioned from loyal subjects to fervent revolutionaries. This shift culminated in the drafting and support of the Declaration of Independence. The roots of the American Revolution can be traced to several key factors, beginning with the French and Indian War. This conflict, fought between French and British forces over territorial claims in North America, ended in a British victory, but at a substantial financial cost. To alleviate war debts, King George III imposed various taxes and measures that asserted British authority, which increasingly angered the colonists (Keene, 2019, p. 96).

Among these taxes was the Sugar Act, which imposed duties on sugar and other imports, and allowed for the prosecution of offenders without the benefit of a jury trial. The colonists saw this as an undue burden and a violation of their rights (Keene, 2019, p. 98). In response, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act, requiring the purchase of special stamps for legal documents and printed materials. This led to widespread protests, including riots, assaults on tax collectors, and the drafting of the “Declaration of the Rights and Grievances of the Colonies,” which reaffirmed the colonists’ belief that “taxation without consent was a violation of their rights” (Keene, 2019, p. 100).

When the Townshend Acts imposed taxes on imported goods like tea, the colonists responded with boycotts of British goods in favor of domestic products. This period saw the Boston Tea Party, where colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act. In retaliation, Britain passed the Coercive Acts, which included closing Boston’s port and annulling Massachusetts’ colonial charter, along with the Prohibitory Act, which halted all trade with the colonies. These actions further drove the colonists toward the decision to declare independence from Britain (Keene, 2019, p. 96).

Confederation and Constitution

The Articles of Confederation, adopted during the early years of the United States’ independence, aimed to establish a functioning government while preventing the concentration of power seen under British rule. However, the Articles contained significant flaws, including the inability to levy taxes and reliance on voluntary state contributions for funding (Keene, 2019, p. 121). These weaknesses led to a weak central government, with an unstable economy, limited military power, and insufficient enforcement of national policies.

The inability to collect taxes or secure proper funding forced Congress to print unbacked paper money, leading to inflation and currency devaluation. Additionally, the lack of a strong navy left U.S. merchant ships vulnerable to piracy. Furthermore, Congress struggled to enforce the 1783 Treaty of Paris, resulting in British forces maintaining control over forts in the Great Lakes region due to unpaid debts. Events like Shays’s Rebellion underscored the urgent need for a stronger federal government (Keene, 2019, p. 142).

In light of these challenges, the Constitutional Convention convened in 1787 to create a new governing framework. The resulting Constitution established a bicameral legislature, an executive branch, and a system of checks and balances, addressing the inefficiencies of the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution granted the federal government the authority to levy taxes, regulate trade, and amend laws with the approval of three-fourths of the states.

Table: Key Differences Between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution

HIS 405 Week 2 Revolution: From Rebellion to Jeffersonian Democracy

References

Keene, J. D. (2019). A People and a Nation: A History of the United States. Cengage Learning.