The American Revolution and the Birth of Freedom

“No taxation without representation” was the slogan that thundered in different parts of North America in the second half of the eighteenth century. The slogan was framed by James Otis. It was raised by the people of America as part of their agitation against British rule. Several circumstances led to this agitation.

In 1492, a sailor of the Spanish government named Christopher Columbus reached North America. He called the people of America “Indians” because he thought that he had reached India. Later, they became known as “Red Indians.” In the seventeenth century, a group of people from England who were exiled because of religious persecution travelled to America on a ship named Mayflower. They became known as the “Pilgrim Fathers.” This was the beginning of the large-scale migration to America. Later, migration from Europe increased rapidly. The main aim of the migrants was to exploit the resources of America. They established thirteen colonies on the eastern coast of North America.

The British treated the American colonies as centres for collecting raw materials for their industries. They implemented a policy known as “Mercantilism.” Under this policy, the goods to and from the colonies had to be carried only in British ships. Products of the colonies could only be exported to England. British stamps had to be affixed to all legal documents, newspapers, pamphlets, and licences. The colonies were also forced to provide food and quarters for British troops, and import taxes had to be paid on imported goods.

On December 16, 1773, strong protests arose against the high tax imposed by the British on tea. A group of Americans boarded ships at night in Boston Harbour and threw 342 chests of tea into the sea. This incident became famous as the Boston Tea Party. Thinkers such as John Locke and Thomas Paine also inspired the people of the colonies to fight against exploitation. John Locke said that everyone has some fundamental rights and that no government has the right to suspend them. Thomas Paine declared that there was something absurd in allowing a continent to be governed perpetually by a foreign power.

In 1774, delegates from all the colonies except Georgia met at Philadelphia to protest against British exploitation. This meeting became known as the First Continental Congress. The people submitted a petition to the King of England demanding the withdrawal of restrictions on industry and commerce and insisting that taxes should not be imposed without the approval of the people. However, the King sent military forces to suppress the protestors, which led to war between Britain and the colonies.

In 1775, the Second Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia, and George Washington was elected as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. On July 4, 1776, the American Continental Congress issued the famous Declaration of Independence. The declaration was prepared by Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.

The war between England and the American colonies ended in 1781. According to the Treaty of Paris in 1783, England officially recognised the freedom of the thirteen colonies. Later, the Constitutional Convention held under the leadership of James Madison framed the Constitution, and George Washington became the first President of the United States of America.