2. INTRODUCTION
The Americas were a very broad topic to focus on. Before
Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas in 1492, the
continents weren’t known to the Europeans. However, in general, the
continent was just one big territory of European colonies. The 18th
century was the time when some countries in the Americas were
trying to fight for independence while other countries were still
under control of dominant European nations.
3. INTRODUCTION
The Americas were a very broad topic to focus on. Before
Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas in 1492, the
continents weren’t known to the Europeans. However, in general, the
continent was just one big territory of European colonies. The 18th
century was the time when some countries in the Americas were
trying to fight for independence while other countries were still
under control of dominant European nations.
4. INTRODUCTION
The Americas were a very broad topic to focus on. Before
Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas in 1492, the
continents weren’t known to the Europeans. However, in general, the
continent was just one big territory of European colonies. The 18th
century was the time when some countries in the Americas were
trying to fight for independence while other countries were still
under control of dominant European nations.
5. Wars
French and Indian War
This first intercolonial war between France and Great Britain, was a part of
“The Seven Years’ War.” The War ended in 1763 as a result of the Treaty of
Paris. Through this war, England acquired Canada and Spanish parts of Florida.
Consequently, England was the dominant country in North America for the
next two years.
American Revolution
A new nation was created through this war; American colonies announced
their independence from the British. On July 4th of 1776, the Continental
Congress adopted the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Haitian Revolution
The spirit of revolution was also found in Latin America. European powers
exploited the African slaves in their highly lucrative sugar plantations.
Consequently, mistreated slaves instigate a revolt at the end of the century. The
Haitian Revolution in 1791 is a great illustration of the struggle for freedom
that permeated many minds everywhere in Colonial America in the 18th
century.
11. Religion
Many people in the countryside were involved in the Great Awakening, an
evangelical religious movement. Famous ministers such as George Whitefield
toured around the colonies and preached the Gospel. These religious leaders
stirred a sensational emotional response among listeners, as many dropped
their work to hear the sermons.
In the beginning, the British North American colonies were formed by many
who had fled Europe for religious freedom. Of them, Puritans were people who
wished to rid the Church of England from any remaining influences of Roman
Catholicism. But eventually, the religious energy diminished – until another
revival in the mid-18th century. The cities’ skylines displayed an increased
number of churches. The buildings reflected the wealth, social status, and
traditions of the denominations that built them. During American Revolution,
Americans were convinced that their revolt against the British was “justified in
the sight of God.”
12. GOVERNMENT
In July 1766, the Declaration of Independence was read out. The
Second Continental Congress thought that the Declaration of
Independence wouldn’t make the nation united. Therefore, they started to
write the Articles of Confederation. In 1781, the Articles of Confederation
become official. However, the Articles turned out to be ineffective and left
the Confederation Congress powerless. As a result in September 1787,
leaders began to work on the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia. Since the
Articles turned out to be ineffective, they decided to write the Constitution
to create a government with power and authority but without brutally
controlling the citizens. The Constitution has been the heart of U.S
government.
13. Latin America was colonized and it had been under control of Spain and
Portugal before the 18th century. The Spanish king would send two
governors to the colonies and divide the lands into two portions, but the
territories would still be under the Spanish government’s control. One
governor of the governor generals reigned all Spanish colonies on the
mainland from Florida to California--Spain also ruled a part of the US at
that time--, all Spanish colonies down to Venezuela, and the “West Indies.”
The capital city of New Spain was Mexico City. The other, who would have
been the governor of New Peru, was in charge of every Spanish colony on
the lower part of the Americas, except for Venezuela. In the 18th century,
the number of governors doubles and becomes four. Until the rebellion in
the 19th century, four governors ruled the Spanish colonies in the
Americas.
16. CONCLUSION
From the time the Americas were found centuries ago, dominant
European countries started colonizing the countries there. Most of North
America was under Britain and France’s control. Most of South America
was under Spain and Portugal’s control. Canada, the United States,
Mexico, Peru, etc--countries in North and South America are now
independent countries living with their own laws, their own national
government, and living with religious freedom. Although the Americas
region was very broad to research on, all the countries had something in
common during that time. Basically, the 18th century was the time of
revolution, wars and development in the area of the Americas.
