IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : History Of Modern Europe (Mid 18th to 20th Centuries)- THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

History Of Modern Europe Mid 18th to Mid 20th Centuries

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Structure

3.0 Objectives
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Peculiarity of Being a New Society
3.3 Towards the Revolution
3 3.1 Econom~c Problems: Depression
3.3.2 Ideology and Class
3.3.3 Revolut~on and its Effects
3.4 Making of the Constitution
3.5 Democracy Based on Slavery
3.6 Development of Mass Politics and Jacksonian Democracy
3.7 Let Us Sum Up
3.8 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

3.0 OBJECTIVES

The American Revolutiun freed the American colonies from the British imperial control. This
I had not only economic but also important socio-political significance in the future
development of America. After reading this Unit you should be able to:
understand the pre-revolutionary American society,
explain the circumstances leading to the American Revolution,
analyse the main thrust of the American Constitution, and
lean about the institution of slavery and the development of democratic politics in
America.

3.1 INTRODUCTION

The American Revolution of the late 18th century has been regarded as a war of Independence
which lacked the social radicalism of the great revolutions like the French Revolution of 1789.
However, by destroying monarchy and creating a republic the Americans changed not only
their government but also their society. The American Revolution played an important role in
the social transformation of America into a democratic and capitalist society; though
'democratic revolutions' were bringing about social change in westem Europe too about this
time - i2l.e 18th to early 19th century - the American Revolution helped to democratize
American politics and society more substantially than in Europe. In the subsequent sections
we will first introduce you to the characteristics of pre-revolutionary America and how did the
revolution come. Framing of the new constitution and slavery as an institution central to
American democracy have been explained. Finally, you will lean about the development of
mass politics and Jacksonian democracy.

3.2 PECULIARITY OF BEING A NEW SOCIETY

The decline of feudalism in Europe during the sixteenth century had far reaching
consequences in the economic, political and cultural fabric of European society. The
Renaissance and Reformation movements of this period contributed to the growth of a spirit of
individual independence and made people more adventurous. Both political and economic
developments of this period stimulated people at Europe to explore and conquer new
countries. The American settlements on the eastern sea board of the United States were part
of the New World as well as the Westen U'orld. As part of the New World these American
colonies had experienced a population explosion since the colonists were in a position to
expand all over the land abundant in North American continent. The population of America
grew from one million to two million between 1750 to 1770 rising to four million by 1790.
Immigrants from Britain, France, Germans, Scotland and Ireland also swelled the population
of these colonies. This demographic growth coupled with the opportunities for ~veshvard
expansion created the American 'frontier' and the more democratic spirit of the people who