The period of the American Revolution was marked by great transformations in the social and political consciousness of states. The colonies under British rule were constantly dependent upon the British monarchy and rules by British laws. They were weak both economically and politically governed by British governors. These periods had a great impact on the national identity of nations and their unity, self-determination and state sovereignty. The revolutions can be characterized as one of the milestone events in American history which led to the formation of the state and the nation. The French/ Indian war marked a new era in relations between the Old and New world caused by territory confrontations and occupation of Canada by British troops The historical significance of the revolutions is that they opened new opportunities for the American people to fight for personal freedom and liberty, independence and self-governance. Thesis Revolution was a revolutionary event because it led to a new social, political and economic landscape in America.
The revolutions and struggle with the conservative and monarchial tradition show that it is the duty of nations to recognize the right of expatriation to under-populated areas richly endowed with resources. This concept derives from natural laws of which mankind are rational observers and agents. The social order should be regulated by “fixed laws” which make the entire scene one of “order and proportion.” The second condition leading to minority rule occurs, when one-third of the population who choose rulers becomes a majority by the “accession” of those whose poverty excludes them from the right to vote and for this reason are likely to join in “sedition” instead of supporting the established government. The revolutions changed international relations and opened new opportunities for international trade. The government of France and Britain received a chance to trade with the rest of the world and supply cotton, tea and other goods.
The paramount need facing the new American population was the strength to deal effectively with Europe’s great imperial powers. In this situation, the fulfillment of this humane goal might call for an aggressive nationalism on the part of the new French republic, if the fruits of the Revolution were to be enjoyed fully. A change in government does not terminate the obligations assumed by its predecessors. For this reason, the executive of this government has no authority to suspend or hinder the operation of a treaty, when such a change has occurred. This conclusion is reinforced further by observing that private rights guaranteed by a treaty are subject to judicial cognizance no less than to executive agency here could be the contradictory spectacle of one branch of the government holding a treaty to be in force and another one ruling to the contrary.
The claim of congressional power to force a president to declare his intentions or the tenor of his negotiations with a potential enemy power is clearly a doctrine tailored to serve a congressional majority in opposition to the president’s desired policy. It does not serve as well, however, as the normal operational rule requiring the nation to speak to others with one authoritative voice after all of our diverse domestic interests have been consulted and reconciled in support of a national position. This idea presupposes that a constitutional sharing of roles requires adherence to the rule of law in the conduct of foreign no less than domestic affairs. The revolutions transformed all spheres of life: political, social and economic and marked the formation of the new nation and the state. Every nation has a right to abolish an old government and to substitute a new one for it. The Revolutions provide the legal occupancy which allows European nations to hold their cultural and social existence.
For leaders of the American Revolution promoted democratic freedoms and creation of the new forms of state power. In spite of the great opportunities and benefits proposed by the new regime, it could not solve the problems of spiritual life and meet the century-old traditions of the nation. The revolutionary movement was a response to false ideals and values imposed by the government. The leaders of this movement promoted the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance typical for a new religion. Thus a tradition of the absolute ruler was accepted within France. Though, this issue was not seen as radical in intention, but rather as a way to goad the fully accepted kingly bureaucratic status into specific action against exact problems. The removal of the absolute leader and his substitute with a more active and competent one did become part of the political structure. This was distinctive to France as rationalism had changed itself within the court through the elite sector of the mandarin chain of command, and to whom the divinity and magic of the emperorship had been reduced.
In sum, both the political and cultural union of American states was maintained. The state bureaucracy gained real control over this charmed organization and spread its rational policy into the cultural mix. Finally, new political traditions in the area of everyday life also became a democratically unifying event. New revolutions brought new ideas and new social relations trying to promote equality and liberty. All of these factors made it very difficult to establish and execute an aggressive national and social policy.
Bibliography
The American Revolution. 2009. Web.
Wood, G. The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage, 1993.
British Reforms and Colonial Resistance. The Americans. Pp. 8-148.
Liberty. The American Revolution. 1997. Video Twin City.