The American Revolution: Exploring the Motivations Behind the War of Independence
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ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
Your essay should be 8 pages in length, double-spaced, in Arial or Times Roman font
12-point, and one-inch margins.
In a cogent answer discuss the events that led to the American Revolution. Was the battle cry of
“liberty” based on economic, political, intellectual, religious, or social issues? In other words,
was it a violent reaction from colonists adamantly opposed to taxation and virtual representation
by Parliament? Was it the reaction of an angry mob (“ordinary” colonists) that put pressure on an
elite class reluctant to wage war? Was it rooted in a deeper cause and linked to notions of
English liberties, enlightenment ideas, and the Great Awakening? Was it an organized revolt or
simply a misguided, unorganized protest movement that went too far by a handful of colonists
overreacting to a few unfortunate events? And finally, was it a worthy cause considering that
only one-third of the colonists (patriots) supported it and that it marginalized certain groups of
Americans (slaves, women, and Native Americans)?
I. Introduction: Briefly mention the possible motivations that led to the American
Revolution. Make sure to state your thesis—that is your argument for why thirteen
separate colonies joined together to fight the War of Independence. Discuss what you
think the important issue or issues were that compelled the colonists to back the
cause, and whether or not that cause was worthy. Take into consideration Jefferson’s
words “All men are created equal” in the Declaration of Independence. Discuss
whether the spirit of the American Revolution applied to everyone in Colonial North
America including women, slaves, and Native Americans.
II. Economic motivation for the War of Independence.
a. Salutary neglect by England enables the colonists to tax themselves which allows a
certain level of economic independence.
b. Parliament imposes the Navigation Acts but they are largely ignored by the colonists.
1. Writs of Assistance (search warrants to combat smuggling). The Colonists claim
Parliament is exerting arbitrary power.
c. By 1763, the British want the colonists to help pay for the Seven Years’ War.
d. Parliament begins taxing the colonies.
1. The Sugar Act (1764)
2. The Stamp Act (1765)
3. The Townsend Duties (1767)
II. Political motivation for the War of Independence.
a. Colonists unrepresented in the House of Commons
1. “No taxation without representation”
2. Virginia’s House of Burgesses approved four resolutions.
b. Stamp Act Congress (1765)
2
1. Boycotts
2. An effigy of Andrew Oliver was hung from Boston’s Liberty Tree.
3. Committees of Correspondence
c. The Stamp Act Repealed by Parliament in 1766 empowers colonists.
1. The Declaratory Act (1766) (response by Parliament)
d. Intolerable Acts (1774)
1. Quebec Act
e. Opposition to the Intolerable Acts (Worcester, Massachusetts)
1. Suffolk’s Resolves
f. First Continental Congress (1774)
1. The Continental Association
2. The Committees of Safety
g. Second Continental Congress (1775)
III. Intellectual and religious motivations for the War of Independence.
a. The British Constitution.
1. English liberties and rights
b. John Locke – “Social Contract,” and natural rights.
c. Enlightenment Ideas.
1. Enlightenment thinkers believed that “reason” could govern human life.
2. Arminianism
3. Deism
4. Sir Isaac Newton – natural law
d. The Great Awakening
1. A reaction to enlightenment rationalism (Arminianism and Deism)
2. Revivalist ministers encouraged independent judgment
e. Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”
IV. Social protest toward British conflict motivates colonists to fight the War.
a. The Boston Massacre (1770)
1. Five colonists are killed but the event is used as political propaganda.
b. The Tea Act and the Boston Tea Party (1773)
1. Colonists organize a peaceful protest.
2. Massachusetts gets the attention of the other colonies when the British impose
strict punishment on them.
c. Lexington and Concord April 19, 1775.
1. Militiamen organize to resist the advance of British Soldiers.
2. A mysterious shot is fired and a battle ensues.
V. Conclusion: Restate your thesis (argument) and briefly discuss the worthiness of the
cause for independence.
HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT (EXAMPLE ESSAY / DRAFT)
A new nation was created as a result of the American Revolution, a pivotal moment in American history. The causes of the revolution have been the subject of debate among scholars for a long time, with many holding opposing views. To ascertain whether the battle cry of “liberty” was founded on economic, political, intellectual, religious, or social issues, this essay will look at the circumstances that led to the American Revolution. The essay will also look at whether women, slaves, and Native Americans were included in the spirit of the American Revolution, as well as other groups in colonial North America.
The Navigation Acts, which were widely disregarded by the colonists, can be linked to the economic justification for the American Revolution. The Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and Townsend Duties were among the taxes imposed as a result of the British government’s desire for the colonies to pay for the Seven Years’ War. There was no representation for colonists in the House of Commons, which gave rise to the catchphrase “no taxation without representation.” The 1765 Stamp Act Congress led to boycotts, effigy hangings, and the formation of correspondence committees. The Declaratory Act, which provided the British Parliament the authority to enact laws for the colonies, was created after the Stamp Act was eventually abolished by Parliament. The Quebec Act and other intolerable acts sparked opposition in Worcester, Massachusetts, which resulted in the Suffolk Resolves, the Continental Association, and the Committees of Safety being established.
The British Constitution, English liberties and rights, and John Locke’s theories, such as the “Social Contract” and natural rights, can all be linked as sources of the intellectual and religious inspiration for the American Revolution. Arminianism and Deism gained popularity as a result of the Enlightenment’s belief that “reason” could control human behavior. The Great Awakening was a response to the rationalism of the Enlightenment, and revivalist clergy promoted free thought. The “Common Sense” of Thomas Paine, which argued for breaking away from Britain, had a big impact on the revolution.
Colonialists were driven to fight in the war by societal protest against the British conflict. Political propaganda followed the Boston Massacre in 1770, and the Boston Tea Party and Tea Act in 1773 sparked a nonviolent uprising by the colonists. Other colonies began to pay notice after Massachusetts was subjected to severe punishment. On April 19, 1775, militiamen gathered at Lexington and Concord to thwart the march of British soldiers, sparking a conflict.
In conclusion, a variety of economic, political, intellectual, religious, and social factors contributed to the cause of the American Revolution. The colonists’ fight for their rights and liberty made the cause deserving. It is important to remember that not all groups in colonial North America, including as women, slaves, and Native Americans, who were oppressed both during and after the revolution, were included in the revolution’s spirit. Because it resulted in the creation of a new nation, the American Revolution can therefore be seen as a pivotal moment in American history, but it was not without flaws.
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