TLDR;
This episode of Crash Course World History examines the causes and consequences of the American Revolution, questioning the extent to which it was truly revolutionary. It covers the events leading up to the war, including the Stamp Act, the Boston Tea Party, and the role of the Committees of Correspondence. The video also explores the revolution's impact on ideas of property rights, equality, and the influence of the Enlightenment, ultimately arguing that while the revolution brought significant changes, it fell short of its ideals.
- The American Revolution was sparked by colonial discontent over taxation without representation and British policies.
- The revolution led to the overthrow of British rule and the establishment of a government without a king, influenced by Enlightenment ideals.
- Despite revolutionary rhetoric, the revolution did not fully address issues of property rights, equality, and slavery.
Introduction [0:00]
The episode will not focus on a chronological account or biographical details of the American Revolution. Instead, it will explore the reasons behind the revolution and how revolutionary it actually was. The host jokes about avoiding pronunciation errors this week, but anticipates challenges with French pronunciations in the next episode.
The Road to Revolution [0:55]
The roots of the American Revolution are traced back to the end of the Seven Years' War in 1763. The British victory led to increased land and wealth for the colonists, but also significant debt for the British government. To recoup costs, the British imposed the Stamp Act in 1765, which required colonists to pay taxes on documents, newspapers, and playing cards. The colonists resisted due to a lack of representation in the British Parliament and the continued presence of British troops in the colonies. The British eventually repealed the Stamp Act, but tensions remained as new taxes were introduced through the Townshend Acts, leading to further protests and organization among the colonists.
Escalation and Protest [1:57]
The Townshend Acts led to increased protests and boycotts, fostering greater organization among the colonists. Events such as the Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Boston Tea Party in 1773 further escalated tensions. The Boston Tea Party, where colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor to protest British policies, resulted in British crackdowns and the mobilization of colonial militias.
Committees of Correspondence and the Declaration of Independence [3:14]
The colonists protested unfair taxation by boycotting British products. Committees of Correspondence were formed to enforce these boycotts and spread information. These committees acted as shadow governments, creating and enforcing policies. The Maryland Committee of Correspondence played a key role in establishing the first Continental Congress, which coordinated a response to the fighting that began in 1775. The Continental Congress is known for drafting and approving the Declaration of Independence, which was heavily edited from Jefferson's original version.
Loyalists, Slaves, and British Perspectives [5:02]
Approximately 20% of colonists remained loyal to Great Britain during the war, particularly in British-occupied cities. Many slaves supported the British, enticed by promises of freedom for those who fought with them. The video notes that some people who needed government protection may have been better off if Britain had won, as Britain ended slavery earlier than America and without a civil war. Despite the growing sense of separation among colonists, the British continued to fight until 1781 or 1783, indicating that the revolution was not won before the fighting began.
Revolutionary Aspects of the American Revolution [5:44]
The American Revolution was revolutionary in that the colonists overthrew an imperial monarchy and established a government without a king, a radical concept at the time. The revolution was influenced by Enlightenment ideals, particularly the concept of liberty, as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and pamphlets like Thomas Paine's Common Sense. However, the actual outcome of the revolution, particularly regarding property rights and equality, was less revolutionary.
Property Rights and Equality [6:25]
The Articles of Confederation, which gave the government no power to tax, ensured that property owners could retain their wealth. The writers and signers of the Declaration of Independence were primarily men of property who sought to maintain their status. The white men who controlled the land before the revolution remained in control afterward. The Declaration's assertion that "all men are created equal" was contradicted by the fact that a significant portion of the population, including slaves, were not treated as equal. Women and white men without property were also excluded from voting, limiting the government's representation to a small percentage of the population.
The Enlightenment and its Influence [7:57]
The American Revolution was influenced by the Enlightenment, which emphasized reason and the improvement of the natural world. Radical Enlightenment thinkers argued that human reason made belief in God unnecessary, while more moderate thinkers like John Locke focused on inalienable rights such as life, liberty, and property. The founders of the United States were more closely linked to British Enlightenment thinkers than to the more radical French thinkers.
Changes and Limitations [9:17]
The American Revolution brought significant changes, such as the absence of a formal nobility and the recognition of equal rights for daughters and widows in inheriting property. The most significant change was the shift in Americans' perception of themselves as equal to one another, which was radical for the 18th century. However, the ideals of the revolution regarding property, equality, and representation continue to shape political discourse, particularly in the United States.
Conclusion [10:01]
Revolutionary ideas and values are not always easy to live up to, and the pursuit of wealth and power can challenge one's belief in equality. It is important to base new societies on inclusive and humanistic ideals, recognizing that those executing these ideas will never be perfect.
