American Revolutions: A Continental History, 1750-1804

The Revolutionary Era, spanning from the mid-1760s to the late 1780s, was a period of considerable political, social, and ideological transformation that laid the foundation for the United States of America. This era was marked by the Thirteen Colonies’ struggle for independence from British rule, culminating in the American Revolution (1775-1783) and the subsequent drafting of the Constitution. Understanding the historical context of this period is important for appreciating the complex narratives of freedom, governance, and identity that emerged and how they continue to shape American society and its democratic principles.

The conflict originated from Britain’s attempts to impose stricter control and taxation over its American colonies following the costly French and Indian War (1754-1763). Many colonists saw the Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshend Acts of 1767, and the Intolerable Acts of 1774 as unjust impositions that violated their rights as English subjects. The rallying cry “no taxation without representation” encapsulates this sentiment, which led to widespread protests, boycotts, and eventually, armed conflict.

The Declaration of Independence of 1776 was a radical assertion of sovereignty and human rights, proclaiming the colonies’ separation from Britain and the establishment of a new nation based on principles of liberty and equality.