Debates on the Issue of American Revolution - Essay Example

Midterm Test 2303 number Question American Revolution Revolution There are several factors that explain why most history books and scholarly studies refer to the American War of Independence as being revolutionary. To understand this better there is need to first look into the historical definition of revolution and compare with the current understanding. By looking at the various understandings of revolution it is easier to explain the question on ‘how’ revolutionary was the American Independence war. This will on top of that give an insight into which factors are guaranteeing it to be revolutionary. Earlier in the seventeenth century the word revolution would have a simple meaning such as fundamental change in organizational structures or power. The name revolution can also have its varying definitions across various social sciences and literature, however in this case we pay particular interest to political revolution. Aristotle categorised political revolution into two; the first being a complete change of the constitution by the revolutionist, and the second being modifying a current constitution (Sinclair, Aristotle and saunders 190). There are many scholarly debates on the issue of revolution. There are no justified conclusions on which issues do and those that do not constitute for there to be a total revolution. In early studies the name revolution primarily drew its meaning on a psychological perspective. Most arguments centre on the events that took effect in European history. Looking at it from this perspective, it would be justifiable to see the reason why the “American War of Independence” is better known as the “The American Revolutionary War” or “American Revolution”. However, the earlier understanding of ‘revolution’ has changed over the years, which leads to the question whether the American War of Independence was a complete revolution? Issues that led to American Revolution Over the years there have been several generations of intellectual thought about factors and issues that lead to a revolution. To categorise appropriately the American Revolution we first need to understand what brought about the revolution. The revolution 1775-83 was a political turmoil that took place as a result of a series of intellectual, political, and social alteration in the American governance, society at large and ways of thinking (Farragher 361). The Americans consisting of the thirteen colonies from North America were tired of being governed from abroad by the British Empire. The fact that they were not given a chance to represent themselves was also a major issue. As much as the American Revolution was triggered by political cause, socioeconomic factors were also part of the need for the thirteen colonies to gain independence (270). Goodwin defines revolution as any or all instances that force a political government or a state is overthrown. This takes effect through an irregular and violent fashion or extra constitutional way by a popular movement (Goldstone 147). Aftermath of the American Revolution The general reason for a revolution is so that there can be a positive change in the political, social and economical well being of the revolutionists. The American Revolution is not an exception in this case. However, as fate would have it there are several contradicting views on whether the Americans were able to gain the course they were fighting for from the British. On the positive note the Americans were able to gain independence and form their own constitution which would guarantee for the war to have been revolutionary. On the other hand some scholars show that the war runs short of a revolution considering the aftermath of the war. The scholars believe that the real course of the war was never achieved by the common Americans and the war only favoured the rich and greedy who owned large tracts of land. A good example is the tax which stirred up the most of the conflict leading to the War was later raised to five times higher. The wealthy families remained in power which left the average colony in the same state or worse than they were under the British Empire (Farragher 297). According to such scholars they believe that the better name for the American Revolution is War of Independence (Goldstone 118). In their view they believe that apart from gaining independence the common American did not meet their goals they were fighting for except for a few who were wealthy. Most arguments by scholars suggest that for there to be a revolution there needs to be a government that is overthrown together with the existing constitution. This however does not hold ground in the case of American Revolution. This is because a comprehensive probe into the constitution would show that around ninety percent of the American constitution relates directly to the Act of succession (1701) and the English Bill of Rights (1689) (Farragher). A true revolution is supposed to bring with it great change and reforms that will put the current well-being of the revolutionist in a better and improved society. This theory however, does not hold ground with the American Revolution after the aftermath of the war. Conclusion The “American Revolution” should be better known as the American Independence war rather a revolution. It is evident that apart from gaining independence from the British rule all the other factors after the war did not go in favour of the common American who represents the majority. Instead of bringing reforms and change there were more negative changes than the positive. First the American economy underwent into a state of instability, second Native Americans, women, and African-American al faced a negative shift in societal position (Jacobs 13). There was a rise in cases of slave trade an issue in which Wealthy Americans had feared could be abolished by the British (Farragher 310). America lost its primary trading partner creating a high deficit in supply. High inflation rate and unemployment become part of the new changes (Farragher 411). To conclude it would be right to say that the American Independence War was not revolutionary to expectations of most Americans.       Question 2 Comparison between Chesapeake Bay settlement and Massachusetts Bay Settlement Settlement of the Chesapeake Bay The earliest attempts to settle in Chesapeake Bay by Europeans were undertaken by the Spanish in 1561. There were other previous failed settlement attempts in the area. The Spanish did not last long either for they left the area in 1571 and never set foot back (Farragher 97). The French came to the area in 1605 and established a colony at Port Royal present day Annapolis. On 26 April 1607 three ships dropped anchor at Chesapeake Bay where they spent the night before waking up to attacks from the Indians. It was during this time that there was establishment of the first settlement at Jamestown next to James River. Captain John Smith became the first European to explore the entire area and come up with the map of Chesapeake Bay in 1608 (131). During this exploration he had several violent encounters with the Powhatan Indians. The first English colony in the area took place in 1634 at Maryland when Lord Baltimore formed St. Mary’s City. The first colonists who initially came to settle in Chesapeake region were composed of entrepreneurs and adventure seekers. Most of them were businessmen and members of Virginia Company of London who were anxious to find benefits to the north (107). Those who come for adventure were not very lucky after their encounters with the Indians in which most lost their lives. Later there came indentured servants followed by slaves who were seeking opportunities to work in the new country. Unfortunately, during the arrival of the colonists it was the commencement of a seven-year drought ranging from 1606-1612 (122). During that time food was scarce and they had to trade with the unwilling residents of the area. However, things were not as tough with the presence of John Smith who happened to have his prowess in striking out deals with a few of the residents and end up gathering boatloads of corn. Settlement at Massachusetts Bay Settlement at Massachusetts Bay began earlier in 1623 by a group of English businessmen under the company of Dorchester Company. They were issued a patent by the council of New England allowing them to settle in the American colonies with the aim of carrying out trade. The first settlement was along Cape Ann although it did not take long due to the constant attacks and the survivors moved to Naumkeag later became Salem (149). The Puritans, a religious group in England wanted to make some amendments in the way the Church of England was being run. Unlike the Pilgrims their course was not to separate from the church but to change certain practices such as the music and the ceremony in a bid to make the Church “pure”. In 1628 a new company was formed under the name New England Company by a group of Puritans (168). This group was later given a charter by the King of England allowing them to settle along the Massachusetts Bay. Under the Leadership of John Endecott the first group settled at Salem Massachusetts. In 1929 the company name changed to Massachusetts Bay Company. The following year a larger group made up of 15 ships of Puritans set foot in the area led by John Winthrop who later became the governor. The Puritans were then allowed to make their own laws in which they used to govern the colony. Reading the Bible was a must which required every parent to teach their children how to read, this also led to establishment of schools (Jacobs 277). Freedom of religion was not part of the law and those found breaking the law were punished severely. Comparison between the two settlements The two regions were settled by groups of people having different goals for their new-found society. The colonists in Chesapeake were businessmen who were members of Virginia Company of London sharing the same goal of expanding their profits in the company. The puritans on the other hand were a group of believers who felt that the Church of England had not taken enough reforms and were victims of discrimination in England. Massachusetts Bay was their ticket to freedom, where they could practice their beliefs without control from the Church of England (Farragher). Looking at the cause of each settlement it is easier to understand why the two settlements had more differences than similarities. The summary below explains the differences and similarities between the two regions across various areas. Political The two regions were very different in terms of political governance. The Chesapeake colonist had to force themselves into the region as they found hostile inhabitants (Indians). The crown appointed a governor in the area giving him strict instructions on priorities, capturing the Indian chief and taking over the region was one (Farragher 142). The Massachusetts Bay colony on the other hand had an easy time taking over the region as they did not meet harsh inhabitants. They were ruled by governor and crown allowed them to make their own laws. The puritans built villages where a village meeting-house was put at the centre. In the meeting houses men of the village met where they made laws and settled disputes or problems of the community. Social In terms of social makeup the two colonies had very different. Chesapeake was made up businessmen, adventure seekers, indentured servants, and the slaves. The area was associated with a lot of difficult work and diseases which greatly minimised their life expectancy. It was therefore uncommon for families to form making the society very unstable with wide social rungs. There was often need to ship in new people to keep up the population (211). Massachusetts Bay colony on the other hand had a very stable society made up of entire families. The people in this region were able to grow up healthy and live a happy life compared to Chesapeake colony. Economical The land and climate in the two areas was different prompting them have differences in the type of agricultural practices in each area. Chesapeake region was swampier making it hard to cultivate typical crops. However, five years after the settlement the colonist discovered that tobacco grew well in the area. The economy of the area therefore flourished through growth of tobacco. Massachusetts on the other hand was not well suitable for larger farms instead families owned small farms and other put up home-based industries. With more Puritans migrating to the area the economy of the region flourished as they developed a large shipbuilding industry. There business was prosperous to the extent that they were able to trade with England using their surplus. The Puritans’ families always had enough man-power therefore did not need the free labour of slaves as it was with the tobacco farming in Chesapeake Bay colony (Jacobs 198). This also brings in another significant difference between the two settlements. Religious The people in Massachusetts had a strong system which emphasised on religion as this was their main goal of settling in the area. Freedom of religion was not allowed and reading the bible was fundamental. Settlers who did not acknowledge Puritan religious ways were not allowed to own land. In Chesapeake the situation was completely different and little attention was paid to religion. Most people were not very religious and the few who practiced did it according to the Church of England. Works Cited Farragher, John Mack. Out of Many, A History of the United States. New York: Prentice Hall, 2008. Goldstone, Jack. ""Towards a Fourth Generation of Revolutionary Theory"." Annual Review of Political Science 4 April 2001: 139-187. Jacobs, Harriet. Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. St.Martins: Bedford, 1861. Sinclair, T. A., Aristotle and Trevor J. saunders. The Politics. 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