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Politics Part I:
Background and
the American
Revolution
Background to Revolution
A. Social Change
1. 18th century society
was legally divided into
groups with special
privileges, such as the
nobility and the clergy, and
groups with special burdens,
such as the peasantry.
2. In France, nobles
were less than 2% of the
population while possessing
of the agricultural land
and enjoying exemption
from direct taxation as well
as special privileges.
3. Poor peasants and
I.
5. While the
French supported the
Americans, the Dutch
and Russia declared
war on the British as
well.
6. Thus by
1780 Britain was
engaged in a war
against most of
Europe as well as
against the thirteen
colonies.
7. Britain
decided to cut its
losses, and under the
Treaty of Paris of
4. Ten amendments
were added to the
Constitution after its
adoption in 1789 that
spelled out basic freedoms.
5. These
amendments, ratifies in
1791, formed an effective
Bill of Rights to safeguard
the individual.
6. Most of the rights,
such as trial by jury, due
process of law, the right to
assemble, and freedom
from unreasonable search,
had their origins in English