American Revolution - Key Events for UPSC Exam Preparation | Testbook.com

The American Revolution – Wars & Treaties

Below are some of the most impactful treaties and wars that occurred during the American Revolution.

Treaty of Paris 1783

• The Treaty of Paris was a monumental agreement signed by both Britain and the United States, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.

The Battle of Yorktown

• The Battle of Yorktown in 1781 marked the last battle of the War of Independence. The strategically vital Yorktown was besieged by American revolutionaries and the French Navy.
• The American Continental Army, led by General George Washington and supported by French forces, secured a decisive victory over the British Army commanded by British Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis.
• The victory at Yorktown was a game-changer in the American Revolutionary War. It led to Cornwallis' surrender and the capture of his army, prompting the British government to negotiate an end to the conflict.

Battles of Trenton and Princeton

• The Battle of Trenton was one of the first significant victories of the American Revolution, which bolstered the rebels' morale and shattered the illusion of British invincibility. This victory was followed by another win at Princeton. The victories at Trenton and Princeton convinced the French that the Americans were capable military allies deserving of their support. This support was instrumental in the outcomes of subsequent battles.

War of Independence (1775-1783)

• The War of Independence was a war fought by American colonists against Britain, marking their struggle for independence.

The American Revolution – Taxation & Related Events

The British imposed a series of taxes on the American colonies through various Acts. The details of these taxes and their historical significance in the American fight against British rule are listed below.

The Townshend Acts

1. The Townshend Acts were a series of four acts passed by the British Parliament, imposing taxes on goods such as glass, paint, and paper.
2. The acts were named after Charles Townshend, a British politician who championed them.

The Stamp Act of 1765

1. The Stamp Act of 1765 was a significant Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, introducing a direct tax on the colonies of British America.
2. The Act taxed various items, including legal documents, ship papers, licenses, publications, and playing cards.

The Tea Act of 1773

1. The Tea Act of 1773 was another Act of the Parliament of Great Britain.
2. The Act imposed a tax on tea, requiring American companies to pay a tax to the British.
3. The Tea Act is often considered the catalyst for the Boston Tea Party.

No Taxation without Representation

1. "No Taxation without Representation" was a rallying cry for Americans who were angered by the British government's imposition of taxes without granting the American colonies any representation in the British government.

The Boston Tea Party

1. The Boston Tea Party was a significant event that took place in 1773.
2. During this event, American nationalists, disguised as Mohawk Indians, dumped around 342 chests of tea belonging to the British East India Company into the Boston Harbor.

For more detailed information on the Boston Tea Party , you can visit the given link.

The Boston Massacre

1. Also known as the 'Incident on King Street' by the British, the Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770.
2. The event refers to the killing of five American protesters who were demonstrating against British taxes.

Whigs

1. The term 'Whigs' was used to refer to the nationalists who fought against the British government for independence.

As you continue your preparation for the Civil Services exam, consider going through the following links to gain a comprehensive understanding of the examination-

Important Events In World History Till 1950	Russian Revolution [1917]	French Revolution [1789-1799]
Difference between Nazism and Fascism	Imperialism	Unification of Italy
Unification of Germany	Disintegration of USSR	Industrial Revolution [1760-1840]
Difference between Colonialism and Imperialism	World War I [1914 – 1918]	World War II [1939 – 1945]
Cause of World War I	Global Impact of World War II	Cold War: Background causes, important events
The Soviet Union [1917 – 1989]	Joseph Stalin [1878-1953]	Roots of the Cold War [1946-1989]
The Renaissance [14th Century – 17th Century]	Renaissance in Italy	Differences Between The Renaissance And Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment [1632-1792]	Napoleon Bonaparte [1768 – 1821]	Decolonisation

Understanding Monarchy

The concept of monarchy plays a significant role in understanding the context of the American Revolution. Before the advent of democracy in the USA, the country was under British Monarchy rule. You can read about the difference between Democracy and Monarchy on the provided link.

Absolute Monarchy

1. An absolute monarchy is a form of government where a King or Queen holds complete control over the administration of a country.
2. In an absolute monarchy, the King and Queen are not bound by any written laws, legislature, or customs.

Limited Monarchy

1. A limited monarchy is a form of government where a King or Queen has some power but must collaborate with a parliament to govern the country.

Divine Right of Kings

1. The Divine Right of Kings is a belief that kings receive their power from God and are accountable only to God.

Pivotal Events Leading Up to American Independence

Several crucial meetings were held, agreements were signed, and bills and laws were passed in the lead-up to American independence from the British.

The Continental Congress

1. The Continental Congress was a gathering of delegates from each state or colony.
2. It evolved to become the first governing body of the United States of America.

The First Continental Congress

1. The First Continental Congress was a meeting of the 13 American colonies to discuss their response to British policies.

The Second Continental Congress

1. The Second Continental Congress was the second meeting of the 13 American colonies, during which they established their army.

The Articles of Confederation

1. The Articles of Confederation were a contract between the 13 colonies, establishing a single government under the United States of America.
2. The Articles served as the nation's first Constitution.

The Bill of Rights

1. The Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which guaranteed individual rights.
2. The Bill of Rights was drafted by James Madison.

The Declaration of Independence

1. The Declaration of Independence was a document stating that the American colonies now considered themselves independent states and would no longer be subject to British rule.

We recommend practicing previous years’ history questions of UPSC Mains GS 1 to familiarize yourself with the type of questions asked in the exam.

The information provided above will be beneficial for candidates preparing for the UPSC 2022 exam.

Related Links

IAS Salary	UPSC Syllabus
UPSC Mains Syllabus	Daily Video Analysis – The Hindu
UPSC Calendar 2022	UPSC Mains GS 1 Strategy & Syllabus