Thoughts on the American Revolution: The Victory of a Republic
Perhaps the key moment in the entire short history of the United States (the republic is still young in terms of history), was the American Revolution. In this article, views on this great revolution will be discussed, as well as the ramifications for future revolutions like those seen in France.
Originally, the 13 colonies had been built to make a profit, later on they became the home of many religious groups who felt unwelcome in Britain. This laid the groundwork for a difference in opinions on why the war between Britain and the colonies occurred.
The divisiveness between Britain and America had begun in earnest after the French and Indian War. The costs of this great war, which had spread from the colonies, to Europe, and even reached India and many key islands, put Britain greatly in debt. To counteract this debt, the powers that be in Britain enacted taxes, not only in England, but in the colonies. This laid the groundwork for the war; as the old adage said, “No taxation without representation.”
The truth was, British citizens were being taxed far more than the colonists, but the main point was still sound.
The conflict began with the battles of Lexington and Concord, which really provided the thesis for much of the fighting that would occur in the American Revolution; the colonists knew the land well, and often didn’t fight in the European style of moving troops in tight order. The colonists would use rifles to pick off many a British redcoat in these early battles and skirmishes, and the British didn’t know how to fight the tactics many colonists had learned from the Native Americans.
Yet, when General Washington took control of the Continental army, he must have known the only way to beat the British would be to defeat them in an open, pitched battle.
So there were many losses for the republic early on. The British hounded Washington across New York, and with each defeat more continentals deserted, or became casualties. The spirit of the cause for freedom was gone.
What happened after that? The plight of America was obvious to Washington. He knew if he were to be able to beat the British, he needed some victories. He sneak attacked the British around Christmas of 1777 at Trenton and Princeton. These two victories gave the cause of the young nation hope.
It soon led to victories at Saratoga and in the south, where large bodies of British troops began to be defeated by Continentals who were becoming more confident and experienced. Forcing the British surrender at Saratoga (thanks in part to the controversial figure Benedict Arnold) made many in Europe think the new republic might have a chance in the war; soon France allied, a key moment in ending the war, as we will discuss.
After losses in the southern colonies, the British army holed up at Yorktown, which was on the coast. Thinking they were protected by the defenses and the sea, the British prepared for the next battles. Washington seized the initiative and began a siege. He contacted the French and asked them to blockade the army. This amounted to a rare British loss at sea to the French and the last major battle of the Revolution.
Why does the American Revolution matter? It was as paramount to the rise of democracy as any other moment in world history. This was a group of rag-tag colonists putting together an army and demanding a better way of life.
The Revolution had other repercussions; it led to the French Revolution, which subsequently led to the rise of Napoleon.
There would be another battle with Britain, this time over freedom of the seas, in the War of 1812.
