George Washington once said, “Only virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and evil, they increasingly need masters.” England took advantage of its colonies and tried to impose unjust policies. In 1775, the political mistreatment had to end and the United States had to secede from Great Britain to successfully develop as a country. The American Revolution changed the history of the world. To understand the importance of the American Revolution you need to understand pre-war America, the causes of the war, the British mentality, the United States mentality, the economy, significant events, and how the war ended. The French and Indian War devastated the American land. The war was costly and this caused England to fall into considerable debt. The Board of Trade, at the instance of British traders, intended to assist in the matter. Americans lived a hard life in the colonies. Settlers would experience wild, hate-driven mobs, bad harvests, and sudden deaths. American colonists believed that England was feudal, tyrannical, and reactionary. However, Europeans believe that England is a wild, emerging race, known for its revolutions and its pathological adherence to freedom. Compared to Britain, most Americans were poor and left behind to survive. The Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, the Coercive Acts, and the Townshend Act were different ways the English tried to bully the colonists into submission and pay off debts (Lancaster). The Writs of Assistance gave the English the opportunity to invade a colonial house with a virtually empty search warrant (Lancaster). All fiscal control of local government and courts was handed over to the nepotistic friends of the British government. The colonies were eventually run by a few influential people...... middle of paper ......fred A.Knopf.The colonies move into open rebellion, 1773-1774. (n.d.). Retrieved from the Library of Congress database. Cook, F. (1959). The American Revolution. New York, NY: Golden Press.Ferguson, E. J. (1974). The American Revolution. A general history, 1763-1790. Homewood, IL: The Dorsey Press. Ferling, J. (2010, January). Myths of the American Revolution. SmithsonianMagazine.First Shots of War, 1775. (n.d.). Retrieved from the Library of Congress database. From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 1763-1766. (n.d.). Retrieved from the Library of Congress database. Lancaster, B., & Plumb, J. H. (n.d.). Book of the Revolution (6th ed.). New York, NY: American Heritage Publishing. Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved from the Library of Congress database. Surrender of Lord Cornwallis. (n.d.). Retrieved from the Library of Congress database.