Crash Course World History: The American Revolution

Introduction

• Host: John Green
• Focus on why the American Revolution happened and its revolutionary nature
• Not a detailed chronology or biographies of key figures
• Unique aspect: John Green is not wearing pants

Background to the Revolution

End of the 7 Years War (1763)

• Expensive war; British victory
• Resulted in more land and wealth for British subjects in America

British Taxation Policies

• Stamp Act (1765): Tax on documents, newspapers, etc.
  • Colonists opposed due to lack of representation in Parliament
  • British troops remained in colonies, causing resentment
  • Repeal of the Stamp Act led to colonial emboldenment
• Townshend Acts: Further taxes led to protests and boycotts

Escalating Protests

• Boston Massacre (1770): Only 5 deaths, not a true massacre
• Boston Tea Party (1773): Protest against British decisions, tea dumped into harbor
• Creation of Committees of Correspondence to enforce boycotts
• Mobilization of militias and eventual war

Continental Congress

• Organized in response to fighting in 1775
• Drafted and approved the Declaration of Independence
• Draft altered significantly from Jefferson's original version

Revolutionary Aspects and Outcomes

Self-Governance

• Colonists were mostly self-governing before fighting began
• Developed a separate identity from Britain

Loyalists

• 20% of colonists remained loyal to Britain
• Slaves promised freedom by Britain also supported them

Non-Revolutionary Outcomes

• Post-revolution, property rights remained with the same elite
• Inequality: Women and non-property owners had no vote
• Slavery: Persisted in America post-revolution

Enlightenment and Ideals

• Enlightenment celebrated human reason
• Radical and moderate Enlightenment thinkers influenced revolutionary thought
• Property and Equality: Central ideas, but not fully realized

Conclusion

• American Revolution inspired ideas about property, equality, and representation
• Emphasized equality in a new way, though challenges remained
• Reminder of the difficulty of living up to revolutionary ideals

Credits

• Written by Raoul Meyer and John Green
• Graphics by Thought Bubble
• Closing note: "Don't Forget To Be Awesome"