American Revolution

The American Revolution is the series of events, ideas, and changes that resulted in the political separation of thirteen colonies in North America from the British Empire and the creation of the United States of America. The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) was one part of the revolution, but the revolution began before the first shot was fired at Lexington and Concord and continued after the British surrender at Yorktown. "The Revolution was effected before the War commenced," wrote John Adams. "The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people."

Revolution beyond America

The American Revolution was the first wave of the Atlantic Revolutions that would also take hold in the French Revolution, the Haitian Revolution, and the Latin American wars of liberation. Aftershocks would also be felt in Ireland in the 1798 rising, in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and in the Netherlands.

Related Topics:
Atlantic Revolutions - French Revolution - Haitian Revolution - Latin American wars of liberation - Aftershock - Ireland - 1798 rising - Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - Netherlands

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The Revolution had a strong immediate impact in Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and France. Many British and Irish Whigs had been openly indulgent to the Patriots in America, and the Revolution was the first lesson in politics for many European radicals who would later take on active roles during the era of the French Revolution.

Related Topics:
Whig - French Revolution

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The American Revolution affected the rest of the world. The thinkers of the Enlightenment only wrote that common people had the right to overthrow unjust governments. The American Revolution was a case of success.

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The American Revolution set an example to the people in Europe and other parts of the world. It encouraged the people to fight for their rights. The American Revolution encouraged many common people in France. The soldiers in France who helped America in the American Revolution spread the revolutionary ideas. The French too rose against their rulers from 1789, which is 6 years after the Treaty of Paris.

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Similarly, in the early 19th century, revolutions broke out in the colonies in South America against Portugal and Spain. Years later, similar revolutions occurred in Asia and other places.

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