Americain vs French Revolution

The American Revolution is a fascinating and enormous subject, with many parallels to the French Revolution, and it would be impossible to discuss every aspect of it in only a few paragraphs. However, here is a general overview. Perhaps the most interesting aspect was that the British colonies in North America were at first very loyal to the United Kingdom, but in a period of 10 or 15 years they became so dissatisfied that they demanded complete independence.

After the defeat of France in 1763, the United Kingdom gained the entire French empire in North America. At this time, the British colonists in North America were very loyal to their mother country. However, distance and time caused the colonists to evolve differently from British subjects in the British Isles. For example, the colonists tended to be more independently-minded and self-reliant. Their abilities and work brought greater rewards in the colonies, whereas society in the British Isles followed a strict class structure. Nonetheless, the colonists were content under British rule, which allowed them a large measure of self-government.

What caused the American Revolution? In general terms, the American Revolution came about because the British government did not fully realize the seriousness of the unrest and dissatisfaction which soon developed in its colonies in North America. The British government in London considered the distant colonies more as a possession than as an extension of its territory and people. Ill-will between the British government and its colonies in North America began to develop after 1763. With France defeated

in Canada, the British government then wished to strengthen its authority in North America. Political leaders in London decided to maintain a standing army in their colonies, and they imposed new taxes on the colonists to support the army. The army was intended to protect against French, Spanish and Native American attacks, but it could also be used against the...