The Consequences of the American Revolution
1. The American defeat of a mighty empire like Britain encouraged other people to try to do the same.
2. The United States of America became a democratic country where all men had a right to vote on how their country should be run. There was no king or queen.
3. The United States of America had an official constitution, or book of rules, on how the country should be governed. It also had a Bill of Rights which guaranteed certain rights and freedoms to its citizens. These documents helped to spread democracy around the world in the next two hundred years.
4. The American revolution had a huge impact on other countries:
(a) Returning French troops wanted to spread these new ideas in France. Many people were unhappy with King Louis XVI.
(b) In Ireland, many people believed that they too could achieve independence from British rule by force of arms. The American Revolution inspired men such as Theobald Wolfe Tone who went on to form the United Irishmen to try to achieve Irish independence in 1798.
5. George Washington became the first President of the United States in 1789.
6. The United States of America went on to expand westwards and the 13 colonies eventually became 50.
© Kathy Mullen 2013