An Analysis of the Causes, Significance, and Consequences of the American Revolution in Role Gordon S. Woods’s The American Revolution

The United States, a now global power with significant influence over many countries, was not always this powerhouse nation we know it to be today. Before the United States gained independence, the US was originally thirteen colonies under the control of the British Empire. Many citizens in the colonies felt it was unjust for British Parliamentary to have say in how the colonies should operate. In The American Revolution, Gordon S. Woods analyzes what preempted the American Revolution, the significance that came from U.S independence, and what consequences were came as a result. Woods book will be evaluated as to whether the evidence given supports the thesis, corresponds to the time period, and is a credible source of information.

After Great Britain's dominance in the Seven Years War (Wood. p.4), the British Empire seized a vast amount of land from France and Spain territory in the new world. Migrants located in the most populated towns of England saw the newly conquered land as a chance to make a better life. Colonist on the eastern shore also saw this new founded area as a place to grow fertile crops after depleting their own resources. With the Economic expansion of the colonies, Great Britain began to observe how successful the colonies had become. With War debt crippling England's economy, Parliamentary decided to place acts on colonies imports/exports as a means of revenue. After the infamous Stamp Act was passed in 1765, resilience soon began to take place in the colonies.

Colonies began to form coalitions to uproot Great Britain's dominance. Rebellion against British forces began to happen more frequently as citizens grew defiant towards tax laws placed on trade. With the Coercive Acts being established in 1774, government officials in each colony decided against following British rule any longer. Communities and townships began constructing informal governments to combat royal governors (Wood. p.48). The Second Continental Congress met in 1775 to discuss formulate an Army with George Washington as its commander. With conflict rising between British and American military, Thomas Paine released the pamphlet "Common Sense" which displayed how citizens were tired of British rule and yearned for an independence nation. Thus, on July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was implemented by the American colonies, separating the nation from British government.

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The United States was now free as a nation, but an internal struggle still existed within the colonies. As Gordon explains, the South suffered the greatest disruptions from the war. After the war had ended, the south lost value in their tobacco crops. However, the biggest impact on the south came from the British freeing thousands of slaves to fight for the crown (Wood. p.114). More indifference came as Americans dealt with an unequal gap in wealth, abolishment of slavery, and religious beliefs. Such internal and external conflict has molded and shaped The United States into the country we have today.

Woods analysis of what anticipated the American Revolution, its importance in US history, and its early impact on society will be evaluated to determine if it fits the thesis, context is historically accurate, and is a credible source of information. From the beginning of the book, Woods argues that the civilians living in the colonies would eventually realize their own strength as a nation to rise above the British Empire's control. To further extend Woods point, the colonies were indeed strong economically because the British relied on trade heavily for their economy. This is significant information because during the mid-18 century, the colonies would surpass Great Britain in economic growth after developing trade deals with southern European countries and the West Indies. Woods evidence is substantial, using secondary sourcing that accurately describes the events that took place from 1740-1770. His arguments remain consistent with the thesis. From the audience's perspective, Woods foreshadowing Great Britain's economic decline can be seen as an important indicator to the colonies growth, along with the mass immigration of lower class citizens from urban areas in England.

Following the extensive decline of Great Britain's economy, Woods begins to highlight important events that gave rise to the American Revolution. With Great Britain facing multiple hardships, England's Parliamentary began placing taxes on the colonies trade. Most notable are the Stamp Act of 1765, and Coercive Act of 1774. Woods captures in his writing the frustration many civilians felt with Great Britain. In particular, Woods captures The Coercive Act as a prime example of colonist rebellion against the British.

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