The American Revolution Essay

enlightenment was a pivotal philosophy in Americas quest for independence. By the end of the war, Americans were wrestling with many different questions, first whether to demand independence, then how to structure the new nation. The first question was only answered after the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. But, even before the Americans declared independence, the United States had already established its self both in mind and in the minds others, as a new kind of nation, one built on enlightenment ideas. Many of the core ideas of enlightenment found their way in to the Declaration of Independence, concepts such as the rights of men, and freedoms of enterprises. All aspects of life in the American colonies were greatly affected by the Enlightenment movement.

The American Revolution was culmination of many different ideas and conflicts. The stamp acts of 1765, and the sugar act of a year earlier evoked a particular opposition from the colonists. They perceived it as attempt from England to raise revenue without the consent of the Colonists, and saw it as a pathway to a more authoritative government. Until this point, the colonists had flourished under a sense of self autonomy under the era of salutary neglect from the British. Using the ideas of enlightenment, the colonists exposed the ideas of liberty and freedom among Mankind. But neither at this time or any time soon, did the United States actually respect and follow these ideals. Despite some debate, at the same time the colonists were celebrating the rights of all men, they were still consolidating the enslavement of African Americans, depriving Loyalists of their rights, barring women from public life, and denying Indian tribes to the limited rights the British accorded them to. Yet despite these contradictions, the belief that the nation should live up to these ideals proclaimed the revolution exercised a continuing influence on the future of the United States.

One of the first steps in the formation of the United States was the Declaration of Independence. On July second 1776, the Declaration adopted the resolution that the colonies had the right to be free and independent states from the Britain crown, and all political connections between them were to be dissolved (American History), On July fourth the declaration was approved. Thomas Jefferson, an acclaimed author of the declaration, said little in the document that was new. The declaration restated the familiar Contract theory of John Locke, that governments were formed to protect the rights of life, liberty, and property of citizens. The Declarations virtues laid in the eloquence with the thoughts already widespread in America, and claimed that the king had violated his contract with the colonists and thus forfeited all claim to their loyalty. 

The American Revolution was more than just a war, it was also a political movement. Enlightenment thinkers from Europe put fourth many ideas about liberty and personal will, these ideas of the rights and freedom of men propelled the colonists to go against unfair odds and win.