The American Revolution (1775-1783)

The American Revolution(1775-1783)

Universal principles of human rights and civil liberties

• popular sovereignty

• equality before the law

• constitutional rights and rule of law

Long-run trends

• The absence of a titled aristocracy

• The widespread ownership of property

• Religious diversity

• The relative absence of poverty

• A lack of urban development

• A relative lack of deference to authority

• The presence of slavery

Product of 40 years of abuses by British authorities

Revolution Begins

British Crown misunderstood colonists:a separate people, due their own voice in their

own affairs

Product of the colonists' sense of a distinctive identity as inhabitants of a republican society & a struggle over "who

would rule at home"

"that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States...."

Most important event in the history of the world since the birth of Christ?

Invention of the modern idea of a written constitution