Colonial Empires and the American Revolution World History I

Colonial Empires in the Americas European colonies in Latin America and North America began to develop in ways that differed from their European mother countries. Portugal dominated Brazil. Spain had holdings throughout the Americas. Latin America became a multiracial society. The Portuguese and Spanish sought ways to make money from their colonies. There were large amounts of gold and silver. Large plantations allowed landowners to get wealthy farming. Spain and Portugal worked to Christianize the natives in the Americas.

Britain and British North America The United Kingdom of Great Britain developed in 1707, when Scotland and England were united under one government. The British Empire continued to expand by acquiring Canada and India as a result of the Seven Years’ War. The British Colonies in the Americas were populated and prosperous. The colonies were supposed to be run by the British government, but many merchants in the colonies didn’t want the British to govern their affairs.

British Empire at the height of its power, mid 1700s.

The American Revolution The Seven Years’ War left Britain in need of money. In 1765, Parliament passed the Stamp Act, which taxed certain printed materials (newspapers, legal documents) that were sold in the colonies. The colonies opposed the Stamp Act, and it was repealed, but other taxes were levied against the colonies. In the 1770s, Britain and the colonies continued to disagree over taxation and colonists rights, and colonists began to rebel. In 1774, the First Continental Congress, encouraged colonists to take up arms and organize militias.

Fighting began between the colonists and the British Army in April, 1775. The Second Continental Congress met and formed the Continental Army with George Washington as commander. July 4, 1776 – The Second Continental Congress approved a Declaration of Independence. This marked the official beginning of the American Revolution. It was a major risk for the colonists, as Britain was a strong military power with great resources.

Foreign Support and British Defeat The colonies were helped out greatly by foreign support. Many countries wanted to get even with Britain for earlier defeats. France supplied money and weapons to the colonies. French officers also served in Washington’s Army. Spain and the Dutch Republic also entered the war against Britain. The British were at war with much of Europe, as well as the colonies. The British surrendered in 1781 to combined American and French forces at Yorktown. The Treaty of Paris (1783) recognized the colonies’ independence.

Birth of a New Nation The Articles of Confederation was the colonies’ first constitution. Central government wasn’t strong enough to deal with the nation’s problems. It was replaced by the United States Constitution. The Constitution created a federal system, where power was shared between the national and state governments. Three Branches (executive, legislative, judicial) of government were created, and each had power to check the workings of the others. A Bill of Rights was also added to the Constitution, guaranteeing rights for the American people. Many of these rights were derived from Enlightenment philosophers.