American Revolution - Research Paper Example

American Revolution The American Revolution took place between 1765, to 1783, whereby the 13 American colonies decided to break from the British Empire, forming an independent state, referred to as the United States. In 1765, the American society rejected the decision by parliament to impose taxes on them, without any elected representation (McCullough, 16). These taxes were brought about by two laws passed by parliament, commonly referred to as the sugar and the stamp act laws. These laws were introduced because of the desire of the British Empire to pay the expenses of the French and the Indian wars (McCullough, 22). This was a territorial war fought between France and England, resulting to a considerable increase in the North American territory of the British Empire. The protests to these laws were initiated by a group calling itself the sons of liberty, who in their bid to show their concerns against the law, infiltrated a ship in the Boston harbor, destroying 342 chests of tea in the year 1773 (McCullough, 27). In response to these protests, the British Empire imposed a series of punitive laws, referred to as the intolerable acts in 1774. In 1774, the American patriots suppressed all loyalists, and took control of each colony, establishing new government. The British Empire responded by sending troops for purposes of establishing royal control in the year 1775 (McCullough, 26). The war ended in 1783 with the surrender of Britain, making the colonists establish the federal government of United States, with each of the 13 regions having a governor, and a parliament. During, and after the war, one of the most important and notable figures was Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin is regarded as one of the founders of America, having played a great role convincing the 13 colonies of America to stay united (Prelinger, 5). Benjamin Franklin is also credited as being the only person amongst the founders of America to sign the three documents that freed the American colonies from the colonial rule. These documents are the Treaty of Paris, the American Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence (Prelinger, 9). It is important to understand that the role of Benjamin Franklin in assisting Thomas Jefferson to come up with a formal document justifying the decision of the colonies to sever political ties with the British Empire began in 1776, when he was appointed by the continental congress to assist in this noble task (Prelinger, 16). Other members of this committee included Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, John Adams, and of course Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was responsible for writing the first draft of the declaration of Independence, while Benjamin Franklin was responsible for editing the draft. It is important to denote that Benjamin Franklin played a great role in ensuring the colonies achieve victory against the British Empire. This is by convincing the French government to offer military assistance to the American colonies in 1998. This assistance was of great importance to the colonies, and this is because the French had the same military capability as the British, and on this basis, their support guaranteed the colonies that they could win the war (McCullough, 26). Through his diplomatic skills, Benjamin Franklin was also able to make the World powers recognize America as an independent country, through the signing of the Paris Treaty in 1781. Apart from the diplomatic skills of Benjamin Franklin, one of the major factors that made the French to join the war is the victory of the colonies in what is referred to as the Battle of Saratoga (Allen, 8). Under this battle, the British were led by General Burgoyne, who had a command of more than 7000 men, marching from Canada into New York. During the first weeks of the months of October 1777, the American army was positioned between Albany, and General Burgoyne army. On the 7th of October 1777, General Burgoyne took an offensive, against the American troops, leading to the defeat of his army, and the capture of 86% of his army (Allen, 9). This victory was very important to the Americans, and this is because the Patriots army had just lost the state of Philadelphia to its enemies, as well as the battle that was fought at Brandywine. The American victory at Saratoga made the French to believe that the patriots could win the war, causing them to engage in the war, as an ally of America. The French contributed a great deal in this war, in terms of financial assistance to the patriots, and provision of soldiers and weapons to be used in this war. It is important to understand that the battle of Saratoga is divided into two major parts, namely, the first attack of General Burgoyne and his second attack. During his first attack, General Burgoyne was unable to break off the American defensive lines, resulting to him being surrounded by the American army (Allen, 11). On this basis, General Burgoyne needed some reinforcements which took long to come. However, the Americans were able to acquire reinforcements, and this gave them the ability to win this battle at Saratoga, leading to the subsequent surrender of General Burgoyne. With the entry of the French in the war in 1778, Spain, an ally of France, and one of the arch enemies of the British Empire also joined the war (Ketchum, 31). It is important to denote that even before joining the war, Spain provided financial and military support to the thirteen colonies found in America. This was through a trading company referred to as Roderigue Hortalez. However, in 1779, Spain managed to finalize all its efforts of joining the war, in support of the thirteen colonies, and France. Spain joined this war for purposes of implementing a treaty referred to as Aranjuez, signed in 1779 between Spain and France, making Spain and France allies against their common enemy, the British (Ketchum, 31). The entry of Spain into this war, also played a great role in ensuring that the victory of the Americans. This forced the British army to gain focus in concentrating on the southern region of America, for purposes of protecting Florida and Gibraltar. These were the territories that Spain wanted to snatch from the British. This became a major relief to the thirteen colonies, because the British had now concentrated on trying to capture Brooklyn, and their success could have ended the revolution, in favor of the British (Ketchum, 31). These Southern territories were very important to Britain, having won them during the French Indian wars. On this basis, the British had to protect them at all cost, even if it meant comprising their effectiveness in crushing the revolution initiated by the thirteen states. In conclusion, ability of the Patriots to win the battle of Saratoga was an important event that turned the war in favor of the Americans. This is because the French were unwilling to join the war, because they were not sure that the patriots could win the war. However, with the victory of Saratoga, Benjamin Franklin was able to convince the French to join the war. This was a major turning point for the revolution, and this is because the French and the British had a similar military power. The French provided both financial and military support, and this played a great role in containing the British, and preventing them from winning more battles in North America. However, the major turning point of this battle was the entry of Spain in 1779, and this made the British to concentrate their efforts in defending the Southern parts from the Spanish. On this basis, the British were unable to defend their interests in the North, and this guaranteed the Patriots victory over their colonial masters. Works Cited: Allen, Thomas B. "From Bennington, 1777." Military History. Sept. 2013. Web. 05 Apr. 2014. Ketchum, Richard M.. Divided loyalties: how the American Revolution came to New York. New York: Henry Holt, 2002. Print. McCullough, David G.. 1776. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2006. Print. Prelinger, Catherine M. "Benjamin Franklin and the American Prisoners of War in England during the American Revolution." The William and Mary Quarterly. Apr. 1975. Web. 05 Apr. 2014. Read More