Ch 34: Understanding the American Revolution
About This Chapter
Understanding the American Revolution - Chapter Summary
By utilizing the lessons in the chapter, you will have a fuller understanding of the events leading to the American Revolution, including the intellectual and social revolution during the American Enlightenment. The chapter summarizes the First and Second Great Awakenings as well as their connection to the American Revolution. By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
- Discuss key events of the American Enlightenment
- Detail the popularity of religious revivals
- Identify the causes of the American Revolution
- Summarize the text of the Declaration of Independence and share its legacy
- Explain the effects of the American Revolution
We use short and engaging video lessons to streamline the learning process. You'll have access to self-assessment quizzes and transcripts with each video. All video lessons come with timeline tags so you can access key points quickly. You can check your advancement through the lessons, chapters, or the whole course from your Dashboard.
1. The American Enlightenment: Intellectual and Social Revolution
For a thousand years, Europe had been living in the Dark Ages until a series of philosophical, religious and scientific movements helped turn on the lights. The Enlightenment began in Europe, but quickly spread throughout America in the 1700s and helped set the stage for a revolution against British rule.
2. The First Great Awakening: Religious Revival and American Independence
While the Enlightenment was shaping the minds of 18th-century colonists, another movement, the First Great Awakening, was shaping their hearts. With freedom of conscience at its core, the Awakening led Americans to break with religious traditions and seek out their own beliefs while sharing common values.
3. Causes of the American Revolution: Events & Turning Points
In this lesson, we explore the causes and the initial battles of the American Revolution, from the end of the French and Indian War up until the Declaration of Independence in July, 1776.
4. The Declaration of Independence: Text, Signers and Legacy
After 12 years of tension and fighting, the colonists and their leaders were ready to declare themselves a new country, independent of Great Britain. This lesson examines the motives, the text, and the legacy of America's Declaration of Independence.
5. The Second Great Awakening: Charles Finney and Religious Revival
The spirit of the Revolution led to changes in American churches in the post-war years. Beginning with a boom in evangelism and missionary work, the Second Great Awakening soon led to social reform, an intertwining of religious values with civic values, and a lasting emphasis on morality in daily life.
6. Effects of the American Revolution: Summary & History
In this lesson we explore the effects of the American Revolution, which were felt not just in Great Britain and North America, but across the Western world.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the CSET Social Science: Study Guide & Prep course
- About the CSET Social Science Test
- Prehistory & Early Civilizations
- Ancient Near East History
- Early Empires in the Near East & Asia
- Political & Philosophical Thought in Ancient Asia
- History of Ancient Greece & Hellenism
- The Roman Republic Rises
- History of the Fall of Rome
- Understanding the Dark Ages
- Understanding the Early Middle Ages
- Medieval Warm Period Overview
- High Middle Ages Overview
- Late Middle Ages Overview
- The Renaissance Overview
- The Age of Exploration & Discovery
- Overview of the Reformation Across Europe
- The Elizabethan Era Overview
- Overview of Colonialism
- Absolutism & Constitutionalism in Europe
- Shifting Eastern European Power (1648-1740)
- 18th Century Empire & Expansion
- The Age of Enlightenment
- The French Revolution & Napoleon Bonaparte
- Industrialization from 1700-1900
- Global Politics (1760-1848)
- Nationalism in Europe, Africa, Asia & the Americas
- Life & Trends in Europe (1850-1914)
- 19th and 20th Century Imperialism
- The World Post-WWI
- Overview of World War II
- Western Civilization Post-WWII
- Early Civilizations in the Americas & Colonization
- Settling North America & the Colonies
- The Making of a Nation after the American Revolution
- The Virginia Dynasty
- Jacksonian Democracy
- Everyday Life in Antebellum America
- Manifest Destiny & American Expansion
- America's Civil War
- After the Civil War: Reconstruction
- Westward Expansion, Industrialization & Urbanization (1870-1900)
- The Progressive Era of the Early 20th Century
- Overview of American Imperialism & World War I
- 1920s America
- Overview of the Great Depression
- World Events & Politics After World War II (1946-1959)
- Events & Presidents During the Cold War (1950-1973)
- Civil Rights & Other Movements in the US (1954-1973)
- Presidential Domestic Policy 1970-Present
- Overview of California History
- Principles & Concepts of American Democracy
- Fundamental Values & Principles of Civil Society
- Branches of Government in the U.S.
- U.S. Supreme Court Landmark Cases
- The U.S. Election Process
- Levels of Government in the United States
- Media Influence in the U.S.
- Comparing Political Systems
- Tension in U.S. Democracy
- Basic Terms & Concepts in Economics
- American Market Economy
- The Relationship between Politics & Economics
- U.S. Labor Markets in a Global Setting
- Aggregate Economic Behavior of the American Economy
- International Trade & the Economy
- Tools & Perspectives of Geographic Study
- Geographic Diversity of Natural Landscapes & Human Societies
- Culture & the Physical Environment
- Environmental Science Basics
- Effects of Humans on the Environment
- CSET Social Science Flashcards
