American revolution vs. americ

Essay by EssaySwap ContributorHigh School, 11th grade February 2008

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As we study American history we see that the saying, "History repeats itself" reveals much truth. As we look closer to the American Revolution and the American Civil War, we can find many similarities between the two. Another saying that is made known is that "We learn from our mistakes," but even the greatest men and women of our history did not follow. The main causes for both wars were the fight for liberty. If we are to analyze this issue in both wars, we see that the conclusion of one war leads to the beginning of another. As Semisonic sings, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end." The American Revolution could, to some have started when the Americans were given the Proclamation of 1763. As we see they are given boundaries and forbidden to settle onto Indian land. Many more decisions were made in England for the people of America without their opinions.

Thereafter, the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, and the Townshend Duties were set and intended to help finance and sustain the British troops in America. These laws were created without the consent of the people and they were later informed that they were included by Virtual Representation. The colonists lived with these annoying custom duties by evading them through smuggling. Soon after a Declaratory Act was passed reasserting the right of Parliament to legislate "in all cases whatsoever." (Graham 78) The people of America just wanted to separate from the English and soon become interested in the fact that England was producing all sorts of laws and acts onto them. Having such a government displeased the Americans and soon the reaction that they promoted was that of rebellion. A pamphlet authored by Thomas Paine, became a real best seller and many after reading...