INTRODUCTION
The American Revolution
The Constitution
The Civil War
Every introductory class on U.S. History includes close study of the American Revolution, the drafting of the Constitution, and the Civil War–arguably the three most dramatic events in American history.
The American Revolution, which is also called the War of Independence, gave birth to the United States.
Our purpose will be to explore the causes and consequences of this rebellion against England “the mother country”.
Equally important is to examine the reasons for a new form of constitutional government for the thirteen colonies, now become states.
As Tom Paine wrote: “The Independence of America, considered merely as a separation from England, would have been a matter of but little importance, had it not been accompanied by a Revolution in the principles and practice of Governments.”
And as John Adams commented:
“But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people . . .” (Letter from Adams to H. Niles on Feb. 13, 1818)
These two defining moments in American history–the Revolution and the drafting of the Constitution–are closely interconnected, so much so they are often spoken of in the same breath.
The Founding Fathers described their vision of a nation based on the principle of popular sovereignty and the philosophy of natural rights: a government elected by citizens with their freedoms constitutionally protected.
The third climactic event, the Civil War, was a military test of strength between the North and the South. It is also called the War Between the States; its most obvious consequence was the abolition of slavery.
From the start of the American Revolution (1775) to the end of the Civil War (1865) is a period covering some ninety years, an era that will most of our attention–although we will not neglect the colonial period or the amazing social and economic progress of the second half of the nineteenth century.
The colonial period lasted over 150 years, beginning with the year 1607–the founding of Jamestown as the first permanent English colony–and ending in 1776 with the publication of the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, and that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Before these cherished principles of freedom could become part of the permanent legal foundation of the new nation, a long, difficult, and bloody struggle had to be fought against England.
The King could command tens of thousands British soldiers to do his bidding. At the time, the British Army was considered the best in the world with overwhelming superiority in all military areas, including number of soldiers, equipment, armaments, funding, and supplies.
The British Army had experienced leadership and well-trained soldiers ready to obey orders and hold the field against all costs, as the colonists would soon discover.
Moreover, the King of England chose to hire mercenaries from a relative in Hesse, Germany: the fearsome Hessians.
It would take American men and women of courage and principle, willing to make great sacrifices, if the revolutionary struggle were to have a chance to succeed against such odds.
Luckily, American men and women of courage and intellect were up to the task!
Let us begin.
