a. The American Revolution: Causes and Events

Causes of the Origins of the American Revolution

The origins of the American Revolution can be explained mainly from the economic and ideological points of view. The crystallization of a wealthy, influential and a powerful class of American bourgeoisie who made their fortunes mostly in the plantation sector led inevitably in the long run to a growing conflict between them and Great Britain. The rising class of businessmen began to bitterly resent the mercantilist economic policy of the British government that was essentially concerned with the welfare of the mother-country. Louis Hacker thus argues that the American Revolution was a clash of conflict between British mercantilism and American capitalism. That Great Britain was trying to thwart colonial economy was evident in colonial restrictions in many instances.