The American Revolution (1776-1783)

The American Revolution (1776-1783)

The American Revolution was an armed conflict that lasted eight long years. It is also a civil war between Americans and British subjects, and a rebellion against the colonial authorities and an insurrection against the King of England (George III) and the monarchy. It was finally a war of "national liberation", the first in modern history. If the American Revolution had a considerable impact on the North American continent, we could clearly determine the causes. Regarding the language issue, it does not seem to have been a major concern, since American politicians associate interventionism monarchist linguistic practice that prevailed in Europe. However, all practices that recalled the monarchy and its excesses were banned. So non-intervention language that characterizes this period in American history.

                                            The American Revolutionary War

A strengthening of British power (1763-1776)

With the Treaty of Paris of 1763 officially ended the Seven Years War (1756-1763) between France and Britain, all of New France, with the exception of Louisiana ceded to Spain, officially became a British possession. Of its vast empire in North America, France no longer retained the tiny islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon south of Newfoundland. Meanwhile, the war in British North America had brought glory to British generals, death to the privates, property dealers, unemployment and poor economic collapse of the Amerindian peoples.

However, in order to defeat the French in Canada and Acadia, Great Britain had to borrow huge sums of money to pay its expensive military operations. The only interest on the debt cost the British treasury over four million pounds per year. The British government then had the idea to pay off some of the heavy spending by the Thirteen Colonies (the only ones who could pay), through direct taxes on products such as tea, wine, sugar, molasses , newspapers, etc.. It seemed normal for the British government to pay the settlers of New England part of the expenses incurred for their benefit.

However, representatives of the Thirteen Colonies no longer saw the importance of maintaining this expensive device British military because of the fall of New France. Furthermore, the colonists of New England had waited until the English victory at last to pursue their expansion westward. But King George III had begun his reign in 1760 and he had every intention of strengthening the royal prerogatives on its American colonies. He believed that these settlers were "British subjects" who had a duty first to comply with its decisions.

Two problems arise and would greatly reduce the royal authority. First, the colonial assemblies held significant powers similar to those available to the English Parliament, for example the right to vote taxes and spending, as well to ensure that the legislative initiative. On the other hand, geographic distance and the obstacle was a vast ocean made more random attempts to dominate the Thirteen Colonies.