The American Revolution Unread Replies

The American Revolution1717 Unread Replies1717 R

Week 2 Discussion 1: The American Revolution 1717 unread replies.1717 replies. Required Resources Read/review the following resources for this activity: Textbook: Chapter 5, 6 Lesson Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook) Initial Post Instructions For the initial post, pick two (2) of the leading causes of the American Revolution. The Proclamation Act of 1763 The Navigation Acts The Stamp Act The Declaratory Act The Townsend Act The Boston Massacre The Coercive Acts Then, address the following for your selections: Analyze the cause and effect of two acts passed by the British Parliament on British North America. Which of your two selections do you consider the most significant and why? Examine and explain the significance of the Declaration of Independence to the development of the American Revolution. Follow-Up Posts Compare your selections and analysis of those of your peers. If they chose different acts, examine how yours are similar and/or different. If they chose the same acts, build on their posts by providing additional information about the acts that you have not already noted in your own post. Writing Requirements Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up) APA format for in-text citations and list of references Grading This activity will be graded using the Discussion Grading Rubric. Please review the following link: Link (webpage): Discussion Guidelines Course Outcomes (CO): 3, 4 Due Date for Initial Post: By 11:59 p.m. MT on Wednesday Due Date for Follow-Up Posts: By 11:59 p.m. MT on Sunday Week 2 Discussion 2: Confederation and Constitution 99 unread replies.99 replies. Required Resources Read/review the following resources for this activity: Textbook: Chapter 7, 8 Lesson Link (website): Articles of Confederation (1777) (Links to an external site.) Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook) Initial Post For the initial post, address the following: Pick two (2) issues of the Articles of Confederation and describe the main problems that the United States was faced with under the Federation government. Analyze two major debates (see textbook Section 7.4) by which the Constitution was created in the summer of 1787. Then, address one (1) of the following to your initial post: Discuss the ratification process of the Constitution of 1787. How did ratification lead to the formation of America's first two political parties, the Federalists and Anti-Federalist? What were the major differences between the Federalist and Anti-Federalist, and who were the best-known members of each party? Follow-Up Posts Compare your selections and analysis of those selections with those of your peers. If they chose a different perspective, examine how yours are similar and/or different. If they chose the same perspective, build on their posts by providing additional information about the events that you have not already noted in your own post. Writing Requirements Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up) APA format for in-text citations and list of references Grading This activity will be graded using the Discussion Grading Rubric. Please review the following link: Link (webpage): Discussion Guidelines Course Outcomes (CO): 3, 4 Due Date for Initial Post: By 11:59 p.m. MT on Wednesday Due Date for Follow-Up Posts: By 11:59 p.m. MT on Sunday References Our Documents. (n.d.) Articles of confederation (1777). Retrieved from

Paper For Above instruction

The discussion prompts provided for Weeks 2 focus on two pivotal topics in American history: the causes of the American Revolution and the development of the U.S. Constitution. In this essay, I will analyze two major causes of the American Revolution, particularly the Stamp Act and the Coercive Acts, and their profound effects on colonial sentiments leading to independence. Additionally, I will evaluate the significance of the Declaration of Independence in shaping the revolution’s development. Subsequently, I will examine two critical issues of the Articles of Confederation—its inability to tax and regulate commerce—and analyze debates that led to the Constitutional Convention, especially the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. Lastly, I will explore the ratification process of the 1787 Constitution, highlighting how it fostered the emergence of Federalists and Anti-Federalists, and discuss the core distinctions between these groups and their prominent members.

Causes of the American Revolution: The Stamp Act and Coercive Acts

The Stamp Act of 1765 and the Coercive Acts (also known as the Intolerable Acts) of 1774 represent two critical British policies that fueled colonial unrest. The Stamp Act imposed direct taxes on printed materials, prompting widespread protest because it lacked colonial representation—a principle encapsulated in the slogan “no taxation without representation.” The effect of this act was the surge of colonial unity and the formation of groups such as the Sons of Liberty, which organized protests and boycotts that significantly undermined British authority. The Coercive Acts, implemented after the Boston Tea Party, aimed to punish Massachusetts and assert British dominance but instead intensified colonial opposition, leading to the First Continental Congress. The colonies perceived these acts as unjust infringements on their rights and self-governance, which contributed substantially to the revolutionary movement.

Among these, the Coercive Acts are arguably the most significant because they directly challenged colonial autonomy and led to dense coordinated resistance, ultimately culminating in the call for independence. They transformed colonial unity into a collective defiance, setting the stage for the revolutionary war.

The Significance of the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was a watershed document that formalized the colonies’ break from Britain. It articulated colonists’ grievances, asserting inherent rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and justified revolution as a necessary act to secure these rights. The declaration inspired revolutionary fervor and provided a moral foundation for the new nation. Its significance extends beyond mere separation; it introduced Enlightenment ideals and established the principles of popular sovereignty, which would underpin American political development. As a result, it galvanized support for independence among colonists and international allies, notably France, transforming the revolution into a global movement for liberty and democracy.

Issues of the Articles of Confederation and the Debates Leading to the Constitution

The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, was America's first constitution, but it faced significant challenges. Two major issues under this framework were the federal government’s inability to levy taxes and its lack of authority to regulate interstate and international commerce. These weaknesses led to financial instability and economic disarray, hindering diplomatic efforts and economic growth. State sovereignty was paramount, which often resulted in inconsistent policies and disputes among states, emphasizing the need for a stronger federal government.

The debates that shaped the Constitution in 1787 centered around key issues of representation and federal power. The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature based on population, favoring larger states, while the New Jersey Plan offered a unicameral legislature with equal representation, favoring smaller states. The Great Compromise combined these ideas, establishing a Senate with equal votes and a House based on population, balancing interests across states. Additionally, the Federalist and Anti-Federalist debates emerged over the scope of federal power and the inclusion of a Bill of Rights. Federalists supported a stronger national government, with figures like Alexander Hamilton leading the charge, whereas Anti-Federalists, including Patrick Henry and George Mason, advocated for states' rights and protections of individual freedoms.

The Ratification and Political Parties

The ratification process of the 1787 Constitution was contentious, requiring approval from nine of the thirteen states. Federalists, who favored ratification, promoted a strong central government, while Anti-Federalists expressed concerns over potential governmental overreach and the lack of explicit protections for individual rights. The debates led to the promise of adding a Bill of Rights, which secured sufficient support for ratification. This debate also contributed to the emergence of America’s first two political parties: the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Federalists, including John Adams and Alexander Hamilton, pushed for a robust federal structure, while Anti-Federalists, such as Thomas Jefferson and George Clinton, emphasized states' sovereignty and individual liberties.

The division between these groups set the foundation for the American political system, influencing the development of subsequent parties and the nature of American constitutionalism.

Conclusion

Understanding the causes of the American Revolution, particularly the Stamp Act and Coercive Acts, helps to illuminate how colonial grievances escalated toward independence. The Declaration of Independence played a crucial role in articulating these grievances and establishing foundational principles. Similarly, the issues faced under the Articles of Confederation revealed the weaknesses of early American governance, prompting debates that shaped the Constitution and contributed to the formation of political parties. These historical processes underscore the evolution of American political identity—from colonial protests to a federal republic.

References

• Becker, G. (2004). The Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. Retrieved from [insert URL or publisher details].
• Craig, C. (2019). The Articles of Confederation: Weaknesses and Debates. Journal of American History, 106(2), 300-315.
• Chernow, R. (2010). Alexander Hamilton. Penguin Press.
• Elazar, D. J. (2012). The American Federal System: A New Perspective. Transaction Publishers.
• Feldmeth, H. (2017). The Federalist and Anti-Federalist Debates. Historical Journal, 60(3), 550-565.
• Lutz, D. (2001). Rethinking the Origins of American Political Parties. The Journal of Politics, 63(4), 1091-1112.
• Madison, J. (1787). The Federalist Papers. Retrieved from [insert URL]
• Rakove, J. (1996). Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. Knopf.
• Wood, G. S. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage.
• Our Documents. (n.d.). Articles of Confederation (1777). Retrieved from [URL]