The American Revolution, which officially began in 1776, was not simply the result of one event. Though it has direct causes, there were several underlying causes of the Revolution as well. Some indirect causes originated a long time before the idea of a revolution even existed. The combination of both direct and indirect causes sparked a drive in colonists to successfully carry out the American Revolution.
The direct causes of the Revolution are those which affected the colonists directly, either changing aspects of their daily lives or changing their feelings in general. One direct cause was Great Britain’s arbitrary authority. After multiple occasions, the British became arbitrary, ruling over the colonists unfairly. After the French and Indian War, Parliament began taxing the colonists to pay for war costs, but the colonists had no representation in any decisions. Acts, like the Quartering Act, invaded the homes, as well as the rights of colonists. Another direct cause of the Revolution was the book Common Sense by Thomas Paine. This book is said to have actually “sparked” the Revolution because it embodied Enlightenment ideas, like natural rights, urging people to think about breaking free from Great Britain.
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The underlying factors of the American Revolution indirectly affected both the colonists and the British, making them think differently. The Glorious Revolution, in 1688, established a constitutional monarchy, therefore limiting the power of the king. The Glorious Revolution inspired John Locke’s idea that if a social contract is broken, and the king fails to meet his obligations, then people have the right to revolt and take power. The British practiced a policy of salutary neglect toward the colonies from 1607 to 1763. This left the colonists with no choice but to govern themselves. This self-government caused by salutary neglect also indirectly caused the Revolution because the feeling of independence that the colonists developed could not be taken away from them.
Before 1775, no one in the 13 colonies had any intentions of seeking independence. Colonies viewed themselves as totally separate, with Great Britain as the mother country. After the American Revolution, the colonies were subject to their own rule. Eventually, an entirely new government was established as a result of many efforts. The Revolution broke initial ties between Great Britain and the colonies and created a form of democracy.
The American Revolution was influenced by a variety of factors, direct and indirect. It is now conceivably one of the most important events in history.
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