The American Revolution was a time of rebellion and uprising, between English colonist who settled in a land called America and against their homeland, Great Britain. It was the inexperienced underdog soldiers against the highly trained British troops. Many bloody battles occurred in twenty year, and these events have shaped the future of both countries. The war was mainly based about placing political power into the hands of the ordinary. At the end of the war it was the first time colonies have won their independence from a parent country. For that reason, the American Revolution has earned it spot in the most important revolutions in history.
The American Revolution has caused many long and short term effects. America had created a republic, rather than keeping their British tradition of monarchy. The Americans wanted to place power into the hands of ordinary people and created a leader called a president. Americans were able to vote for who they wanted represent their country. To keep away from monarchy the Americans deiced to only allow a president to be in office for only two term. This prevented a president from taking to much power to himself. The political power of the ordinary people increased the amount of freedom and rights which Americans still have today. Besides the political power Americans still have today, after the American Revolution a bill of rights was passed which ensured Americans many things from freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. This added to the power to ordinary citizens of America. However, not all things lasted very long after the American Revolution. The short term effects of the revolution were quite simple. America was no longer part of Great Britain and had become a independent country. America had become it own nation, and separate for great Britain. The American Revolution has caused many long term effects and also had its share of short term effects.
Over the path of the American Revolution many things changed and stayed the same. Women and African Americans didn’t have any change in the way they were treated. Women were still viewed as the housewife, who raises the family, and takes care of children. Men where dominated in households and Women did not have much to say in the American Revolution. African Americans also did not experience much of a change either. Many were heroes in the American Revolution, however, even though most were freed, the way people treated was that they were always slaves. Though in the North Slavery was viewed as unacceptable, settlers in the south stood their ground for slavery. This eventually lead up to the American Civil War between the North and South. Overall, white men were the most powerful and truly the only ones that really gained political power after the American Revolution.
The American Revolution can be related to many things happening currently in the world. As I said in the paragraph, slavery and the way women are treated the same as in the American Revolution in some countries around the world. Women don’t have much power in political changes and don’t have the ability to vote. They are expected in many places to be the ones that take care of their families and children. Slavery is also still consisting in countries around the world. Many people and even children work countless hours without making hardly any money. The revolution can also be related to the struggle currently happening in Ukraine. Protesters want their president (Viktor Yanukovych) to step down. Ukraine is in the process of splitting apart and this has resulted in many bloody protest and many countries around the world are concerned for the future of the country. Though the American Revolution happened almost 250 years ago, many problems still can relate to this revolution.
Featured Image found at this site (George Washington crossing the Delaware)
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