AB

Colonization

Key Vocabulary

  • American Identity: The collective cultural, social, and political identity that emerged among the American colonies, influenced by factors such as enlightenment ideas and social mobility.:

  • City on the Hill: A metaphor used to describe Massachusetts' aspirations to be a model society, reflecting a vision of a community under God.

  • Enlightenment: An intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority, significantly influencing the American and French Revolutions.

  • Indentured Servitude: A labor system where people agreed to work for a certain period in exchange for passage to America and eventually land or money.

  • Mercantilism: An economic theory that promotes governmental regulation of a nation's economy to increase state power at the expense of rival national powers, characterized by limited wealth.

  • Popular Sovereignty: The principle that governmental authority derives from the people and that they have a right to govern themselves.

  • Republicanism: A political ideology centered on the concept of a republic, where citizens elect representatives and have a role in governance.

  • Social Contract: A theory or model that originated during the Enlightenment, wherein individuals agree to form societies and abide by common rules and expectations for mutual benefit.

  • Sons of Liberty: A secret organization formed in the colonies to oppose British taxation and policies, employing both peaceful protests and riots.

  • Three Estates: The societal division in France pre-revolution consisting of the clergy, nobility, and the common populace, with varying rights and taxation obligations.

Key Points

Colonial Society and Identity

  • Cash Crops and Economy: The economic growth of North American colonies was driven by cash crops, increasing wealth and attracting settlers.

  • Social Mobility: Unlike Europe, the American colonies offered greater opportunities for individuals to move up or down the social ladder based on property ownership rather than ancestry.

  • Colonial Self-Image: The settlers developed a distinct American identity, characterized by a perception of being governed by a distant authority (Britain) and a burgeoning sense of self-governance.

Causes of the American Revolution

  • Enlightenment Influence: The ideas of the Enlightenment were pivotal, especially those promoted by thinkers like Benjamin Franklin, advocating for social mobility and republicanism.

  • Taxation Without Representation: The British government's attempts to tax the colonies post-French and Indian War led to widespread dissent, coalescing under the slogan, "No taxation without representation."

  • Mercantilist Policies: Britain's restrictive trade policies and attempts to control American economic activities generated significant resentment among colonists.

  • Popular Resistance: The formation of the Sons of Liberty and Committees of Correspondence exemplified the collective action and organized resistance against British rule.

Path to Independence

  • Declaration of Independence: Drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, the document addressed multiple audiences, articulating the colonies' grievances and justifying the break from Britain.

  • Revolutionary War (1776-1783): Key battles and strategies, including the French alliance, were crucial in defeating British forces and securing independence for the colonies.

  • Articles of Confederation: The initial government framework proved ineffective, leading to the creation of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to better balance power and ensure individual rights.

Emergence of New Governance

  • Founding Fathers: Figures such as George Washington and Alexander Hamilton played essential roles in shaping the new government, emphasizing the importance of a balanced power structure.

  • Social Contracting: The Constitution was viewed as a "living document," capable of evolving through an amendment process to better serve the democracy.

  • Contradictions in Society: Despite the revolutionary ideals of equality, slavery and the status of women were significant contradictions that continued to be debated and addressed imperfectly.

French Revolution Dynamics

  • Ancien Régime: France's traditional societal structure, comprised of clergy and nobility exempt from taxes, caused vast discontent among the Third Estate.

  • The Estates General and National Assembly: The grievances voiced by the Third Estate and their declaration of a national assembly sparked the revolution.

  • Reign of Terror: Led by Maximilien Robespierre, this period was marked by extreme measures to purify the revolution but ultimately led to his downfall and execution.

Important Data

  • Taxation Triggers: The Stamp Act of 1765 exemplified Britain's attempts to impose taxes disguised as service fees, leading to organized colonial opposition.

  • 3/5 Compromise: A constitutional agreement that addressed the representation of enslaved individuals, highlighting the deep-rooted contradictions in American governance.

Additional Critical Aspects

Theorems and Principles

  • Equality of Opportunity vs. Equality of Outcome: The differing philosophies on what constitutes fairness and justice within the new American society.

  • The Founder's Effect: The legacy of George Washington's voluntary relinquishment of power set a precedent for future American leadership and governance.

Methodologies

  • Committees of Correspondence: Early forms of inter-colonial cooperation and communication to coordinate resistance against British rule.

  • Political Negotiation: Strategies employed by figures like John Adams to navigate the complexities of revolutionary politics and the implications for justice and representation.