Question

1. the american revolution (1763 - 1783)

the end of the french and indian war marked a turning point in the relationship between britain and its colonies. to pay off war debt, britain imposed new taxes like the stamp act and townshend acts, sparking colonial protests. ideas from the enlightenment - especially natural rights and the social contract - helped inspire revolutionary thought. events such as the boston massacre and the intolerable acts increased anger and unity among the colonies. the revolutionary war began in 1775, and in 1776 the colonies declared independence with the declaration of independence, arguing that governments only have power with the consent of the governed. after several difficult years of fighting, the colonies won independence in 1783.

1. identify one cause of the american revolution and explain why it upset the colonists.
2. explain how enlightenment ideas influenced the colonies decision to declare independence.
3. the new nation & the constitution (1783 - 1820s)

after independence, the united states first operated under the articles of confederation, a weak government that struggled to tax, raise an army, or solve national problems. shays rebellion convinced many leaders that a stronger central

Explanation:

Sub - Question 1

One cause of the American Revolution was the imposition of new taxes by Britain, such as the Stamp Act. The colonists were upset because they had no representation in the British Parliament (the principle of "no taxation without representation"). They believed that only their own colonial legislatures should have the right to tax them, and being taxed by a body they had no voice in violated their rights as British subjects.

Enlightenment ideas like natural rights (e.g., life, liberty, property) and the social contract influenced the colonies' decision. The social contract theory (e.g., from Rousseau, Locke) stated that governments derive power from the consent of the governed. The colonists felt Britain's government (imposing taxes, restricting them) no longer had their consent. Natural rights ideas made them believe they had inherent rights that Britain was violating, so they declared independence to establish a government that respected these rights and operated with their consent.

Answer:

One cause: Britain imposed new taxes (e.g., Stamp Act). It upset colonists as they had no representation in British Parliament ("no taxation without representation"), feeling their rights as British subjects were violated.

Sub - Question 2