An Overview of the American Revolution
The American Revolution, a name that speaks volumes in three words, is one of the most successful and complete revolutions in human history. While inspiring and causing global change, it created a lasting government and produced the document that has become the world’s longest-continuously used constitution. Also, there were no post-wars, or civil wars, immediately after the formation of the American government. In fact, with the exclusion of Shays’ Rebellion, there was little to no physical conflicts between the dividing social and political groups of this emerging republic.
If one would compare the American Revolution to the French Revolution, then a much brighter light would be shown. Truly, no greater and influential revolutions inspired by the Enlightenment could be identified then as the American and French Revolutions. However, three main themes remained different: location, tyranny, and terror.
Let us start with the first category: location. The American continent is vast compared to the small space provided in continental Europe by the overpopulation of its citizens. Also, the then-British America was covered with trees and forestry, making British soldiers uncomfortable in battle against the “colonials”, compared to the vast fields and plains of Europe.
Second, tyranny. Unlike other revolutions, the most influential leaders in the American Revolution had little corruption and often sacrificed themselves for the greater good of liberty. For example, Dr. Warren, the leader of the Boston Committee of Commerce, sacrificed his command as Major General to fight one battle as a private soldier. This battle was the Battle of Bunker Hill and ended in the shedding of Warren’s blood. He could have potentially become the first President of the United States, but sacrificed that opportunity on Boston’s fields.
Lastly, terror. Terror is the ultimate drive of human emotion; it is the force that pushes the gears of revolution. When one is afraid, they are more likely to make certain emotions. The one difference is terror in the American Revolution is its moral drive, not to replace ethics, but to enforce them. Also, any terror stopped at the founding of the Constitution, which united all of America under one banner, one unity. By excluding the British and Native Americans, we had created a literal nation-state with one common cultural identity, American.
We must keep the same identity as Americans in our own country. If we ever become divided culturally or racially again, our great empire will fall.
That is the basic reasoning behind the American Revolution.
Sincerely,
History Wizard (a.k.a. R. Matthew Russell)
