American Revolution was a natural and even expected event in the history of colonial people who had come of age. Comment.

The above statement implies that American Revolution was NOT an abrupt break but was a natural and even expected event in the history of Americans. Coming of age means a transition from adolescence to adulthood.  The comment on this statement would need you to peep in the social, political and economic spheres of the life of the American Colonies before the revolution. Some may not agree with the statement and argue that actual American Revolution was not the outcome of decades of anti-British sentiment but was rather a sudden, abrupt, heart-wrenching break with England. However, the following arguments go in favour with the affirming view about the statement.^^

Instead of being a radical abrupt change, the American Revolution was a culmination of evolutionary changes that resulted in an evolved way of life. With the social, political and economical spheres, the change occurred gradually and remained largely unnoticed.

Political

Politically, the thirteen colonies already had a certain degree of independence, but they yearned to be completely free from the tyranny of the British overlords.

Economical

By the time the revolution run its course, the American society was gradually transformed. In the revolution, one class did not overthrow the other and the poor did not overthrow the rich. In those years, the potentially revolutionary situation existed in many of the colonies. But the socio-economic conditions in America were different from the other colonies. There was no mass poverty. There was no seething social discontent and there was no grinding oppression. In fact America was more prosperous than many other colonies. They had also developed a small amount of self sufficiency to some extent and wanted to interact with the rest of the world. America was developing strategies for trading with other countries, which was forbidden. The economic policy of mercantilism by the Home Government was what kept them aloof of having economic interaction with the rest of the world.

The American society did not experience a sudden and abrupt change. In fact, the social changes were complex and prone to easy misinterpretation. There was a gradual change in what was considered socially acceptable and normal behaviour. There was an increase of luxurious and conspicuous consumption by very ordinary people. This also led to religious dissent of all sorts.

There was a gradual evolution in political philosophy and organization too, which started with the First Continental Congress, progressing to the Second Continental Congress, and finally leading to the Articles of the Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution.

A gradual development of love for democracy for the monarchy accustomed people could not come all of a sudden. There was never an abrupt change in the government, just a gradual change into a progressively stronger government.

Topics: GS-I: Industrial Revolution and Other Developments: 1750-1914