Why does history matter? Part 1

This series of blog posts will cover the importance of historical moments in America today starting from the beginnings of American history. It goes without saying that the reason each historical moment is important because history repeats itself and we must learn from each mistake and success of the past.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The American Revolution was a revolt against the British Empire. The British imposed taxes without the consent of the Americans. A group of Americans felt that this was a violation of their rights as Englishman and demanded that Britain rectify the situation. One of their rallying cries was "No taxation without representation!" This group protested vigorously against the British-levied taxes. Eventually Britain repealed some of the acts like the Townsend Acts and the Stamp Act, but the colonists were already riled up from the infringement of their rights. The revolution kicked off with "the shot heard 'round the world" at Lexington and Concord and in 1776, at the Continental Congress, where representatives from the American colonies met, issued the Declaration of Independence. The declaration proclaimed the colonists secession from Britain and listed their grievances against the King of England. The Declaration matters today because without it America would not exist as a free country. It has also become a symbol of justice for people across the world struggling to gain their freedom. In the end the rebels were successful and America became independent from Britain. The long terms effects of the American Revolution were that it created a country that could tip the balance of power in the world. The America experiment would give the world its first taste of democracy. This experiment would show whether democracy would survive and flourish in America or if the new nation would fall into anarchy. The American Revolution spread hope into the minds and hearts of the downtrodden and show them a world where they can rise up and succeed in society.