causes of revolt essay

Sign Up Today

Start your 14 day free trial today

The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

• America 1765 - 1865

6 Key Causes of the American Revolution

14 Jan 2021

@histluketomes.

This educational video is a visual version of this article and presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Please see our AI ethics and diversity policy for more information on how we use AI and select presenters on our website.

The American War of Independence (1775-1783) served as a harsh lesson to the British Empire that the dominions they controlled, if treated improperly, would always be susceptible to revolution.

The British did not wish to see the thirteen colonies break away from their realm, yet their colonial policies in the late-18th century proved consistently disastrous, demonstrating a complete lack of empathy or common understanding with the American population.

One might argue that independence was always on the horizon in this period for North America, yet even in an era of enlightenment the British seemed, through sheer ignorance, negligence and pride, to seal their own fate.

As with any revolution in history, ideological differences may have provided the foundation and impetus for change, but it is so often the events in the run up to the internal struggle that enhance tensions and ultimately trigger the conflict. The American Revolution was no different. Here are 6 key causes of the American revolution.

1. Seven Years War (1756-1763)

Although the Seven Years War was a multinational conflict, the main belligerents were the British and French Empires. Each looking to expand their territory across numerous continents, both nations suffered mass casualties and racked up copious amounts of debt in order to fund the long and ardous struggle for territorial dominance.

Arguably the most important theatre of the war was in North America, which in 1756 had been geographically split between the empires of the British, French and Spanish. With key but costly victories at Quebec and Fort Niagara, the British were able to emerge victorious from the war and henceforth assimilated large swathes of previously held French territory in Canada and the Mid-West as a result of the Treaty of Paris in 1763.

After a three-month siege of Quebec City, British forces captured the city at the Plains of Abraham. Image credit: Hervey Smyth (1734-1811), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

While British victory had removed any French and Native Indian threat (to an extent) to the thirteen colonies, the war had led to greater economic hardship in the US and an acknowledgment of the cultural differences between colonists and Britons.

Clashes in ideologies became all the more apparent as the British looked to levy higher taxes on the thirteen colonies in order to heal the debt they incurred from military and naval spending.

2. Taxes and Duties

If the Seven Years War had not exacerbated the divide between the colonies and the British metropole, the implementation of colonial taxation certainly did. The British witnessed these tensions first-hand when the Stamp Act of 1765 was introduced. Colonists bitterly opposed the new direct taxation on printed materials and forced the British Government to eventually repeal the legislation a year later.

“No taxation without representation” became an iconic slogan, as it effectively summarised the colonial outrage at the fact they were being taxed against their will and with no form of representation in Parliament.

A key cause of the American revolution which followed the Stamp Act was the introduction of Townshend Duties in 1767 and 1768. This was a series of acts that imposed new forms of indirect taxation of goods such as glass, paint, paper, lead and tea .

These duties caused outrage in the colonies and became the main root of spontaneous and violent opposition. Encouraged and rallied by propaganda leaflets and posters, such as those created by Paul Revere, colonists rioted and organised merchant boycotts. Eventually, the colonial response was met with fierce repression.

3. Boston Massacre (1770)

Just a year after the imposition of the Townshend Duties, the governor of Massachusetts was already calling for the other twelve colonies to join his state in resisting the British and boycotting their goods, which coincided with a riot in Boston over the seizure of a boat aptly named Liberty  for smuggling.

The Boston Massacre, 1770. Image credit: Paul Revere, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite these tremors of discontent, nothing suggested that the colonies might seriously consider fighting their British masters until the infamous Boston massacre of March 1770. This was one of the most significant causes of the American revolution.

A detachment of redcoats were accosted by a large crowd in the city, and bombarded with snowballs and more dangerous missiles as the cold and frustrated townsfolk vented their anger on the soldiers. Suddenly, they opened fire after a soldier was knocked down, killing five and injuring six others.

The Boston Massacre is often represented as the inevitable start of a revolution, but in fact it initially prompted Lord North’s government to withdraw the Townshend Acts and for a time it seemed like the worst of the crisis was over. However, radicals such as Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson kept the resentment ticking over.

4. Boston Tea Party (1773)

A switch had been flicked. The British government had a chance to make important political concessions to these disgruntled voices, yet they chose not to, and with this decision, the opportunity to avert rebellion was lost.

In 1772, a British ship which had been enforcing unpopular trade regulations was burned by angry patriots, while Samuel Adams set about creating Committees of Correspondence – a network of rebels across all of the 13 colonies.

Boston Tea Party. Image credit: Cornischong at lb.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Yet it was in December 1773 that the most famous and overt display of anger and resistance took place. A group of colonists led by Adams hopped aboard the East India Company trade vessel Dartmouth and poured 342 chests of tea (worth close to $2,000,000 in today’s currency) of British tea into the sea at Boston Harbour. This act – now known as the ‘Boston Tea Party’, remains important in patriotic American folklore.

5. Intolerable Acts (1774)

Rather than attempting to appease the rebels, the Boston Tea Party was met with the passing of the Intolerable Acts in 1774 by the British Crown. These punitive measures included the forced closure of Boston port and an order of compensation to the East India Company for damaged property. Town meetings were now also banned, and the authority of the royal governor was increased.

The British lost further support and patriots formed the First Continental Congress in the same year, a body where men from all the colonies were formally represented. In Britain, opinion was divided as the Whigs favoured reform while North’s Tories wanted to demonstrate the power of the British Parliament. It would be the Tories who got their way.

In the meantime, the First Continental Congress raised a militia, and in April 1775 the first shots of the war were fired as British troops clashed with militia men at the twin battles of Lexington and Concord. British reinforcements landed in Massachusetts and defeated the rebels at Bunker Hill in June – the first major battle of the American War of Independence.

Shortly after, the British withdrew into Boston – where they were besieged by an army commanded by the newly appointed General, and future president, George Washington.

6. King George III’s Speech to Parliament (1775)

On 26 October 1775 George III , King of Great Britain, stood up in front of his Parliament and declared the American colonies to be in a state of rebellion. Here, for the first time, the use of force was authorised against the rebels. The King’s speech was long but certain phrases made it clear that a major war against his own subjects was about to commence:

“It is now become the part of wisdom, and (in its effects) of clemency, to put a speedy end to these disorders by the most decisive exertions. For this purpose, I have increased my naval establishment, and greatly augmented my land forces, but in such a manner as may be the least burthensome to my kingdoms.”

After such a speech, the Whig position was silenced and a full-scale war was inevitable. From it the United States of America would emerge, and the course of history radically changed.

You May Also Like

Mac and Cheese in 1736? The Stories of Kensington Palace’s Servants

The Peasants’ Revolt: Rise of the Rebels

10 Myths About Winston Churchill

Medusa: What Was a Gorgon?

10 Facts About the Battle of Shrewsbury

5 of Our Top Podcasts About the Norman Conquest of 1066

How Did 3 People Seemingly Escape From Alcatraz?

5 of Our Top Documentaries About the Norman Conquest of 1066

1848: The Year of Revolutions

What Prompted the Boston Tea Party?

15 Quotes by Nelson Mandela

The History of Advent

• school Campus Bookshelves
• menu_book Bookshelves
• perm_media Learning Objects
• login Login
• how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
• hub Instructor Commons
• Download Page (PDF)
• Download Full Book (PDF)
• Periodic Table
• Physics Constants
• Scientific Calculator
• Reference & Cite
• Tools expand_more
• Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

5.3: The Causes of the American Revolution

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 9360

• American YAWP
• Stanford via Stanford University Press

Most immediately, the American Revolution resulted directly from attempts to reform the British Empire after the Seven Years’ War. The Seven Years’ War culminated nearly a half century of war between Europe’s imperial powers. It was truly a world war, fought between multiple empires on multiple continents. At its conclusion, the British Empire had never been larger. Britain now controlled the North American continent east of the Mississippi River, including French Canada. It had also consolidated its control over India. But the realities and responsibilities of the postwar empire were daunting. War (let alone victory) on such a scale was costly. Britain doubled the national debt to 13.5 times its annual revenue. Britain faced significant new costs required to secure and defend its far-flung empire, especially the western frontiers of the North American colonies. These factors led Britain in the 1760s to attempt to consolidate control over its North American colonies, which, in turn, led to resistance.

King George III took the crown in 1760 and brought Tories into his government after three decades of Whig rule. They represented an authoritarian vision of empire in which colonies would be subordinate. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 was Britain’s first major postwar imperial action targeting North America. The king forbade settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains in an attempt to limit costly wars with Native Americans. Colonists, however, protested and demanded access to the territory for which they had fought alongside the British.

In 1764, Parliament passed two more reforms. The Sugar Act sought to combat widespread smuggling of molasses in New England by cutting the duty in half but increasing enforcement. Also, smugglers would be tried by vice-admiralty courts and not juries. Parliament also passed the Currency Act, which restricted colonies from producing paper money. Hard money, such as gold and silver coins, was scarce in the colonies. The lack of currency impeded the colonies’ increasingly sophisticated transatlantic economies, but it was especially damaging in 1764 because a postwar recession had already begun. Between the restrictions of the Proclamation of 1763, the Currency Act, and the Sugar Act’s canceling of trials-by-jury for smugglers, some colonists began to fear a pattern of increased taxation and restricted liberties.

In March 1765, Parliament passed the Stamp Act. The act required that many documents be printed on paper that had been stamped to show the duty had been paid, including newspapers, pamphlets, diplomas, legal documents, and even playing cards. The Sugar Act of 1764 was an attempt to get merchants to pay an already existing duty, but the Stamp Act created a new, direct (or “internal”) tax. Parliament had never before directly taxed the colonists. Instead, colonies contributed to the empire through the payment of indirect, “external” taxes, such as customs duties. In 1765, Daniel Dulany of Maryland wrote, “A right to impose an internal tax on the colonies, without their consent for the single purpose of revenue, is denied, a right to regulate their trade without their consent is, admitted.” 7 Also, unlike the Sugar Act, which primarily affected merchants, the Stamp Act directly affected numerous groups throughout colonial society, including printers, lawyers, college graduates, and even sailors who played cards. This led, in part, to broader, more popular resistance.

Resistance to the Stamp Act took three forms, distinguished largely by class: legislative resistance by elites, economic resistance by merchants, and popular protest by common colonists. Colonial elites responded by passing resolutions in their assemblies. The most famous of the anti-Stamp Act resolutions were the Virginia Resolves, passed by the House of Burgesses on May 30, 1765, which declared that the colonists were entitled to “all the liberties, privileges, franchises, and immunities . . . possessed by the people of Great Britain.” When the Virginia Resolves were printed throughout the colonies, however, they often included a few extra, far more radical resolutions not passed by the Virginia House of Burgesses, the last of which asserted that only “the general assembly of this colony have any right or power to impose or lay any taxation” and that anyone who argued differently “shall be deemed an enemy to this his majesty’s colony.” 8 These additional items spread throughout the colonies and helped radicalize subsequent responses in other colonial assemblies. These responses eventually led to the calling of the Stamp Act Congress in New York City in October 1765. Nine colonies sent delegates, who included Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson, Thomas Hutchinson, Philip Livingston, and James Otis. 9

The Stamp Act Congress issued a “Declaration of Rights and Grievances,” which, like the Virginia Resolves, declared allegiance to the king and “all due subordination” to Parliament but also reasserted the idea that colonists were entitled to the same rights as Britons. Those rights included trial by jury, which had been abridged by the Sugar Act, and the right to be taxed only by their own elected representatives. As Daniel Dulany wrote in 1765, “It is an essential principle of the English constitution, that the subject shall not be taxed without his consent.” 10 Benjamin Franklin called it the “prime Maxim of all free Government.” 11 Because the colonies did not elect members to Parliament, they believed that they were not represented and could not be taxed by that body. In response, Parliament and the Crown argued that the colonists were “virtually represented,” just like the residents of those boroughs or counties in England that did not elect members to Parliament. However, the colonists rejected the notion of virtual representation, with one pamphleteer calling it a “monstrous idea.” 12

The second type of resistance to the Stamp Act was economic. While the Stamp Act Congress deliberated, merchants in major port cities were preparing nonimportation agreements, hoping that their refusal to import British goods would lead British merchants to lobby for the repeal of the Stamp Act. In New York City, “upwards of two hundred principal merchants” agreed not to import, sell, or buy “any goods, wares, or merchandises” from Great Britain. 13 In Philadelphia, merchants gathered at “a general meeting” to agree that “they would not Import any Goods from Great-Britain until the Stamp-Act was Repealed.” 14 The plan worked. By January 1766, London merchants sent a letter to Parliament arguing that they had been “reduced to the necessity of pending ruin” by the Stamp Act and the subsequent boycotts. 15

The third, and perhaps, most crucial type of resistance was popular protest. Riots broke out in Boston. Crowds burned the appointed stamp distributor for Massachusetts, Andrew Oliver, in effigy and pulled a building he owned “down to the Ground in five minutes.” 16 Oliver resigned the position the next day. The following week, a crowd also set upon the home of his brother-in-law, Lieutenant Governor Thomas Hutchinson, who had publicly argued for submission to the stamp tax. Before the evening was over, much of Hutchinson’s home and belongings had been destroyed. 17

Popular violence and intimidation spread quickly throughout the colonies. In New York City, posted notices read:

PRO PATRIA, The first Man that either distributes or makes use of Stampt Paper, let him take care of his House, Person, & Effects. Vox Populi; We dare.” 18

By November 16, all of the original twelve stamp distributors had resigned, and by 1766, groups calling themselves the Sons of Liberty were formed in most colonies to direct and organize further resistance. These tactics had the dual effect of sending a message to Parliament and discouraging colonists from accepting appointments as stamp collectors. With no one to distribute the stamps, the act became unenforceable.

Pressure on Parliament grew until, in February 1766, it repealed the Stamp Act. But to save face and to try to avoid this kind of problem in the future, Parliament also passed the Declaratory Act, asserting that Parliament had the “full power and authority to make laws . . . to bind the colonies and people of America . . . in all cases whatsoever.” However, colonists were too busy celebrating the repeal of the Stamp Act to take much notice of the Declaratory Act. In New York City, the inhabitants raised a huge lead statue of King George III in honor of the Stamp Act’s repeal. It could be argued that there was no moment at which colonists felt more proud to be members of the free British Empire than 1766. But Britain still needed revenue from the colonies. 19

The colonies had resisted the implementation of direct taxes, but the Declaratory Act reserved Parliament’s right to impose them. And, in the colonists’ dispatches to Parliament and in numerous pamphlets, they had explicitly acknowledged the right of Parliament to regulate colonial trade. So Britain’s next attempt to draw revenues from the colonies, the Townshend Acts, were passed in June 1767, creating new customs duties on common items, like lead, glass, paint, and tea, instead of direct taxes. The acts also created and strengthened formal mechanisms to enforce compliance, including a new American Board of Customs Commissioners and more vice-admiralty courts to try smugglers. Revenues from customs seizures would be used to pay customs officers and other royal officials, including the governors, thereby incentivizing them to convict offenders. These acts increased the presence of the British government in the colonies and circumscribed the authority of the colonial assemblies, since paying the governor’s salary had long given the assemblies significant power over them. Unsurprisingly, colonists, once again, resisted.

Even though these were duties, many colonial resistance authors still referred to them as “taxes,” because they were designed primarily to extract revenues from the colonies not to regulate trade. John Dickinson, in his “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania,” wrote, “That we may legally be bound to pay any general duties on these commodities, relative to the regulation of trade, is granted; but we being obliged by her laws to take them from Great Britain, any special duties imposed on their exportation to us only, with intention to raise a revenue from us only, are as much taxes upon us, as those imposed by the Stamp Act.” Hence, many authors asked: once the colonists assented to a tax in any form , what would stop the British from imposing ever more and greater taxes on the colonists? 20

New forms of resistance emerged in which elite, middling, and working-class colonists participated together. Merchants reinstituted nonimportation agreements, and common colonists agreed not to consume these same products. Lists were circulated with signatories promising not to buy any British goods. These lists were often published in newspapers, bestowing recognition on those who had signed and led to pressure on those who had not.

Women, too, became involved to an unprecedented degree in resistance to the Townshend Acts. They circulated subscription lists and gathered signatures. The first political commentaries in newspapers written by women appeared. 21 Also, without new imports of British clothes, colonists took to wearing simple, homespun clothing. Spinning clubs were formed, in which local women would gather at one of their homes and spin cloth for homespun clothing for their families and even for the community. 22

Homespun clothing quickly became a marker of one’s virtue and patriotism, and women were an important part of this cultural shift. At the same time, British goods and luxuries previously desired now became symbols of tyranny. Nonimportation and, especially, nonconsumption agreements changed colonists’ cultural relationship with the mother country. Committees of Inspection monitored merchants and residents to make sure that no one broke the agreements. Offenders could expect to be shamed by having their names and offenses published in the newspaper and in broadsides.

Nonimportation and nonconsumption helped forge colonial unity. Colonies formed Committees of Correspondence to keep each other informed of the resistance efforts throughout the colonies. Newspapers reprinted exploits of resistance, giving colonists a sense that they were part of a broader political community. The best example of this new “continental conversation” came in the wake of the Boston Massacre. Britain sent regiments to Boston in 1768 to help enforce the new acts and quell the resistance. On the evening of March 5, 1770, a crowd gathered outside the Custom House and began hurling insults, snowballs, and perhaps more at the young sentry. When a small number of soldiers came to the sentry’s aid, the crowd grew increasingly hostile until the soldiers fired. After the smoke cleared, five Bostonians were dead, including one of the ringleaders, Crispus Attucks, a former slave turned free dockworker. The soldiers were tried in Boston and won acquittal, thanks, in part, to their defense attorney, John Adams. News of the Boston Massacre spread quickly through the new resistance communication networks, aided by a famous engraving initially circulated by Paul Revere, which depicted bloodthirsty British soldiers with grins on their faces firing into a peaceful crowd. The engraving was quickly circulated and reprinted throughout the colonies, generating sympathy for Boston and anger with Britain.

Resistance again led to repeal. In March 1770, Parliament repealed all of the new duties except the one on tea, which, like the Declaratory Act, was left, in part, to save face and assert that Parliament still retained the right to tax the colonies. The character of colonial resistance had changed between 1765 and 1770. During the Stamp Act resistance, elites wrote resolves and held congresses while violent, popular mobs burned effigies and tore down houses, with minimal coordination between colonies. But methods of resistance against the Townshend Acts became more inclusive and more coordinated. Colonists previously excluded from meaningful political participation now gathered signatures, and colonists of all ranks participated in the resistance by not buying British goods and monitoring and enforcing the boycotts.

Britain’s failed attempts at imperial reform in the 1760s created an increasingly vigilant and resistant colonial population and, most importantly, an enlarged political sphere—both on the colonial and continental levels—far beyond anything anyone could have imagined a few years earlier. A new sense of shared grievances began to join the colonists in a shared American political identity.

Short Term Causes of the American Revolution

This essay about the short-term causes of the American Revolution examines pivotal events such as punitive taxation, violent escalations, lack of colonial representation, and revolutionary rhetoric. It highlights how these factors ignited colonial tensions, pushing them towards independence from British rule. The essay underscores the significance of these short-term causes in shaping the revolutionary fervor that transformed the political landscape of the time.

How it works

American revolution was a central event in history, that transformed landscape the political world. This remark appearance nation, based on principles freedom, democracy, and new self-determination. While roots revolution can be traced commutes despite long position in society crumpling and ideological distinctions between colonies and British chaplet Americans, nearest future triggers, or short-term cause, frisked an in critical role lighting flames revolt. These short-term cause cover a file events and decisions, that quickly increased tensions and pushed colonies, open an appeal.

Herein essay, we investigate short-term cause American revolution, produces light on moments, that moved colonies on setting despite independence central. Only from short-term cause American revolution was the tax system punitive balanced British parliament ? answer for colonial resistance. Passes operates so as for example operate (1765) a brand and Townshend operates (1767) the direct holding located we colonies without their confirmation, conducts despite violation and widespread protest. Operate a brand, in a private person, delegated a mandate, that colonists buy the stamped unusual paper for combine legal give materials and printed materials, sparkles parades and massive boycotts. Townshend operates, from other side, stuck debts the shop-windows imported in manner from tea, glass, and paper, except that worsens tensions between colonies and Britain. It operates not only strains economic terms, and and supplied a fuel indignation on setting despite British delegations, puts foundation, for a revolutionary value flowers. Other short-term causes American revolution criticizes was escalation violence between protestants and British authorities coloniaux. Events boston mass murder in 1770, where British soldiers firing into assemblage unarmed demonstrators, leads despite a few deaths, served mention absolute growing unfriendliness on all two parties. While the nearest incident was relatively solitary, these crystallized colonial crumpling and galvanized an entry revolutionary reason. Complémentaire, tax system martial law in Massachusetts, sticks to boston party tea in 1773 further, set fire tensions, because it showed ready the British government, to use military contraignent, to lean control above colonies. These strong antitheses distinguished breakage trust and erosion colonial self-sacrifice despite the British chaplet, pushes colonies closer, to open a revolt. Except that, role rhetorical propaganda and révolutionnaire no maybe be overpriced in a fuel flames revolt. Pamphlets, newspapers, and passed words revolutionary ideas and leaned a fire anti-british felt through colonies. Overlings in manner from Samuel Adam, Thomas Paine, and Patrick henry frisked in central roles mobilization opinion and soda entry independence. Felt Paine “healthy pamphlet,” in a private person, had the deep affecting forming colonial terms despite revolution, quarrel for a constitution bring up a republican he from a government fluently from British tyranny. Authority words and ideas in mobilization massage no underestimates maybe be, because assured them inpayment and moral imperative ideological for appeal the British line. ? conclusion, American revolution was culmination co-operation long position in society crumpling and short-term cause, that pushed colonies on setting despite difficult independence. Tax system punitive balanced, escalation violence, absence colonial show, and rhetorical revolutionary authority all played in favour of a situation, that moved colonies in explosive revolution. While road despite independence was fraught with appeals and victims, spirit freedom and search for self-determination in eventual addition prevailed, in never mimiced cape history.

Cite this page

Short Term Causes Of The American Revolution. (2024, Apr 07). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/short-term-causes-of-the-american-revolution/

"Short Term Causes Of The American Revolution." PapersOwl.com , 7 Apr 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/short-term-causes-of-the-american-revolution/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Short Term Causes Of The American Revolution . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/short-term-causes-of-the-american-revolution/ [Accessed: 13 Apr. 2024]

"Short Term Causes Of The American Revolution." PapersOwl.com, Apr 07, 2024. Accessed April 13, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/short-term-causes-of-the-american-revolution/

"Short Term Causes Of The American Revolution," PapersOwl.com , 07-Apr-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/short-term-causes-of-the-american-revolution/. [Accessed: 13-Apr-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Short Term Causes Of The American Revolution . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/short-term-causes-of-the-american-revolution/ [Accessed: 13-Apr-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

The Root Causes of the American Revolution

The cause of the american revolution.

• America's Independent Way of Thinking

The Freedoms and Restrictions of Location

The control of government, the economic troubles, the corruption and control, the criminal justice system, grievances that led to revolution and the constitution.

• M.A., History, University of Florida
• B.A., History, University of Florida

The American Revolution began in 1775 as an open conflict between the United Thirteen Colonies  and Great Britain. Many factors played a role in the colonists' desires to fight for their independence. Not only did these issues lead to war , but they also shaped the foundation of the United States of America.

No single event caused the revolution. It was, instead, a series of events that led to the war . Essentially, it began as a disagreement over the way Great Britain governed the colonies and the way the colonies thought they should be treated. Americans felt they deserved all the rights of Englishmen. The British, on the other hand, thought that the colonies were created to be used in ways that best suited the Crown and Parliament. This conflict is embodied in one of the rallying cries of the ​ American Revolution : "No Taxation Without Representation."

America's Independent Way of Thinking

In order to understand what led to the rebellion, it's important to look at the mindset of the founding fathers . It should also be noted that this mindset was not that of the majority of colonists. There were no pollsters during the American revolution, but it's safe to say its popularity rose and fell over the course of the war. Historian Robert M. Calhoon estimated that only about 40–45% of the free population supported the revolution, while about 15–20% of the free white males remained loyal.     

The 18th century is known historically as the age of Enlightenment . It was a period when thinkers, philosophers, statesman, and artists began to question the politics of government, the role of the church, and other fundamental and ethical questions of society as a whole. The period was also known as the Age of Reason, and many colonists followed this new way of thinking.

A number of the revolutionary leaders had studied major writings of the Enlightenment, including those of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and the Baron de Montesquieu. From these thinkers, the founders gleaned such new political concepts as the social contract , limited government, the consent of the governed, and the  separation of powers .

Locke's writings, in particular, struck a chord. His books helped to raise questions about the rights of the governed and the overreach of the British government. They spurred the "republican" ideology that stood up in opposition to those viewed as tyrants.

Men such as Benjamin Franklin and John Adams were also influenced by the teachings of the Puritans and Presbyterians. These teachings included such new radical ideas as the principle that all men are created equal and the belief that a king has no divine rights. Together, these innovative ways of thinking led many in this era to consider it their duty to rebel against laws they viewed as unjust.

The geography of the colonies also contributed to the revolution. Their distance from Great Britain naturally created a sense of independence that was hard to overcome. Those willing to colonize the new world generally had a strong independent streak with a profound desire for new opportunities and more freedom.

The Proclamation of 1763 played its own role. After the French and Indian War , King George III issued the royal decree that prevented further colonization west of the Appalachian Mountains. The intent was to normalize relations with the Indigenous peoples, many of whom fought with the French.

A number of settlers had purchased land in the now forbidden area or had received land grants. The crown's proclamation was largely ignored as settlers moved anyway and the "Proclamation Line" eventually moved after much lobbying. Despite this concession, the affair left another stain on the relationship between the colonies and Britain.

The existence of colonial legislatures meant that the colonies were in many ways independent of the crown. The legislatures were allowed to levy taxes, muster troops, and pass laws. Over time, these powers became rights in the eyes of many colonists.

The British government had different ideas and attempted to curtail the powers of these newly elected bodies. There were numerous measures designed to ensure the colonial legislatures did not achieve autonomy, although many had nothing to do with the larger British Empire . In the minds of colonists, they were a matter of local concern.

From these small, rebellious legislative bodies that represented the colonists, the future leaders of the United States were born.

Even though the British believed in mercantilism , Prime Minister Robert Walpole espoused a view of " salutary neglect ." This system was in place from 1607 through 1763, during which the British were lax on enforcement of external trade relations. Walpole believed this enhanced freedom would stimulate commerce.

The French and Indian War led to considerable economic trouble for the British government. Its cost was significant, and the British were determined to make up for the lack of funds. They levied new taxes on the colonists and increased trade regulations. These actions were not well received by the colonists.

New taxes were enforced, including the Sugar Act and the Currency Act , both in 1764. The Sugar Act increased already considerable taxes on molasses and restricted certain export goods to Britain alone. The Currency Act prohibited the printing of money in the colonies, making businesses rely more on the crippled British economy. 

Feeling underrepresented, overtaxed, and unable to engage in free trade, the colonists rallied to the slogan, "No Taxation Without Representation." This discontent became very apparent in 1773 with the events that later became known as the Boston Tea Party .

The British government's presence became increasingly more visible in the years leading to the revolution. British officials and soldiers were given more control over the colonists and this led to widespread corruption.

Among the most glaring of these issues were the "Writs of Assistance." These were general search warrants that gave British soldiers the right to search and seize any property they deemed to be smuggled or illegal goods. Designed to assist the British in enforcing trade laws, these documents allowed British soldiers to enter, search, and seize warehouses, private homes, and ships whenever necessary. However, many abused this power.

In 1761, Boston lawyer James Otis fought for the constitutional rights of the colonists in this matter but lost. The defeat only inflamed the level of defiance and ultimately led to the Fourth Amendment in the U.S. Constitution .

The Third Amendment was also inspired by the overreach of the British government. Forcing colonists to house British soldiers in their homes infuriated the population. It was inconvenient and costly to the colonists, and many also found it a traumatic experience after events like the  Boston Massacre in 1770 .

Trade and commerce were overly controlled, the British Army made its presence known, and the local colonial government was limited by a power far across the Atlantic Ocean. If these affronts to the colonists' dignity were not enough to ignite the fires of rebellion, American colonists also had to endure a corrupt justice system.

Political protests became a regular occurrence as these realities set in. In 1769, Alexander McDougall was imprisoned for libel when his work "To the Betrayed Inhabitants of the City and Colony of New York" was published. His imprisonment and the Boston Massacre were just two infamous examples of the measures the British took to crack down on protesters. 

After six British soldiers were acquitted and two dishonorably discharged for the Boston Massacre—ironically enough, they were defended by John Adams—the British government changed the rules. From then on, officers accused of any offense in the colonies would be sent to England for trial. This meant that fewer witnesses would be on hand to give their accounts of events and it led to even fewer convictions.

To make matters even worse, jury trials were replaced with verdicts and punishments handed down directly by colonial judges. Over time, the colonial authorities lost power over this as well because the judges were known to be chosen, paid, and supervised by the British government. The right to a fair trial by a jury of their peers was no longer possible for many colonists.

All of these grievances that colonists had with the British government led to the events of the American Revolution. And many of these grievances directly affected what the founding fathers wrote into the U.S. Constitution . These constitutional rights and principles reflect the hopes of the framers that the new American government would not subject their citizens to the same loss of freedoms that the colonists had experienced under Britain's rule.

Schellhammer, Michael. " John Adams's Rule of Thirds ." Critical Thinking, Journal of the American Revolution . 11 Feb. 2013.

Calhoon, Robert M. " Loyalism and Neutrality ." A Companion to the American Revolution , edited by Jack P. Greene and J. R. Pole, Wiley, 2008, pp. 235-247, doi:10.1002/9780470756454.ch29 

• Major Events That Led to the American Revolution
• The Declaration of Independence
• The History of British Taxation in the American Colonies
• American Revolution: The Boston Massacre
• American Revolution: The Stamp Act of 1765
• American Revolution: Boston Tea Party
• The Original 13 U.S. States
• Questions Left by The Boston Massacre
• American Revolution: The Intolerable Acts
• An Introduction to the American Revolutionary War
• Biography of Samuel Adams, Revolutionary Activist and Philosopher
• What Led to the Boston Tea Party?
• Brief History of the Declaration of Independence
• Europe and the American Revolutionary War
• Patrick Henry
• Federalism and the United States Constitution

• IAS Preparation
• UPSC Preparation Strategy
• Revolt Of 1857

Revolt of 1857 - First War of Independence Against British

The revolt of 1857 was the conscious beginning of the Independence struggle against the colonial tyranny of the British. There are various names for the revolt of 1857 – India’s First War of Independence, Sepoy Mutiny, etc.

The revolt began on May 10, 1857, at Meerut as a sepoy mutiny. It was initiated by sepoys in the Bengal Presidency against the British officers.

Revolt of 1857 Download PDF Here

This War of Independence marked the end of rule by the British East India Company. Post this, India was directly ruled by the British government through representatives known as Governor-General .

This article provides all relevant information related to the 1857 revolt and its causes and effects. This is an important topic for the Civil Services Exam and other government exams.

Kickstart your UPSC 2024  preparation today!

Download Revolt of 1857 notes PDF for UPSC exam preparation from the link given.

Immediate Reason of Revolt of 1857

The immediate factor was the introduction of the ‘Enfield’ rifle. The cartridge had to be bitten off before loading it into the gun. Indian sepoys believed that the cartridge was greased with either pig fat or made from cow fat. This was against the Hindu and Muslim sentiments. Thus they were reluctant to use the ‘Enfield’ rifle. This was a flashpoint to enrage the soldiers against the British. As a result was believed to be the immediate factor for the revolt of 1857 .

Causes of Revolt of 1857

Watch a video on the causes of the 1857 Revolt from our expert faculty below:

The 1857 revolt was initiated due to various factors which are stated below:

• Religious & Social Causes – Racism or racial discrimination was believed to be a major reason for the revolt of 1857 wherein Indians were exploited and were kept away from mixing with Europeans. The whites also started interfering in the religious and cultural affairs of Indians and tortured them as well.

To know more about the Social causes for revolt of 1857 , refer to the linked article.

• Political Causes – The British expansion had led to the propagation of unjust policies that led to the loss of power of the Nawabs and Zamindars residing at various places of India. The introduction of unfair policies like the policy of Trade and Commerce, the policy of indirect subordination ( subsidiary alliance ), the policy of war and annexation, the policy of direct subordination ( doctrine of lapse ), the policy of misgovernance (through which Awadh was annexed) greatly hampered the interests of the rulers of the native states, and they one by one became victims of British expansionism. Therefore, those rulers, who lost their states to the British, were naturally against the British and took sides against them during the revolt.
• Economic Factors – There were various reforms in the taxation and revenue system that affected the peasants heavily. British Government had imposed and introduced various administrative policies to expand their territory.
• Military Factors: Another major cause was the General Enlistment Act of July 25 1856. Passed 10 months before the rebellion, the act required that new recruits to the Bengal Army to accept a commitment for general service. Earlier the enlisted men of the Bengal Army had been exempted from serving overseas as they believed that such an act would be against their beliefs. But the Madras and Bombay regiments had no such inhibitions. Governor-General Lord Dalhousie felt it unfair that the burden of deployment fell squarely on the smaller presidency armies. With the signing of the act, sepoys of the Bengal Army felt that it would also prevent their sons from following their footsteps while fearing the prospect of serving overseas.

The major policies are listed below:

• Permanent Settlement in Bengal
• Mahalwari settlement in Central India & Ryotwari settlement in southern India

To more about such important land revenue systems , check the linked article.

These three settlements were highly exploitative, and in particular, the Permanent settlement had created a devastating impact. Thus the peasants were greatly encouraged to overthrow the British Government from India which led to their active participation in the revolt of 1857.

Military Factors – The Indian soldiers faced a lot of discrimination from the British officials with respect to their salaries, pensions, and promotions. Indians were subjugated in the military while their European counterparts faced no such discrimination. This led to discontent and was a major military factor that resulted in the 1857 revolt.

To know more about military factors in detail, refer to the linked article.

Vellore Mutiny

The Vellore Mutiny took place even before the revolt of 1857 (50 years before). It erupted on 10th July 1806 in Vellore, present-day Tamil Nadu, and lasted only for a day, but it was brutal and it was the first major mutiny by the Indian sepoys in the East India Company.

Impact of Revolt of 1857

The revolt of 1857 shook the foundation of the British East India Company and disclosed their inefficiency in handling the Indian administration. The major impact was the introduction of the Government of India Act, 1858 which abolished the rule of the British East India Company and marked the beginning of the British Raj that bestowed powers in the hands of the British government to rule India directly through representatives.

To know more about the major Impact of the revolt of 1857 , refer to the linked article.

Causes of Failure of the Revolt of 1857

The 1857 revolt was eventually not successful in ousting the British from the country because of several factors.

• The sepoys lacked one clear leader; there were several. They also did not have a coherent plan by which the foreigners would be routed.
• Indian rulers who aided the revolt did not envision any plan for the country after the British were defeated.
• Majorly northern India was affected by this revolt. The three presidencies of Bengal, Bombay and Madras remained mostly unaffected.

List of Important Leaders associated with the Revolt of 1857

Related Links:

Frequently Asked Questions – Revolt of 1857

Who coined the name sepoy mutiny.

In India, the term First War of Independence was first popularized by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his 1909 book The History of the War of Indian Independence.

What was the immediate reason for the revolt of 1857?

The immediate factor was the introduction of the ‘Enfield’ rifle. It was said that the cartridge of this rifle was wrapped in the fat of cow and pig. The cartridge had to be bitten off before loading it into the gun. Thus the Hindu and Muslim soldiers were reluctant to use the ‘Enfield’ rifle.

What are the causes of Revolt of 1857?

There are many reasons that led to the revolt of 1857. Major reasons for the revolt can be broadly classified into – Political, Social, Economic, Religious, Military, etc. The causes have been discussed in this article under respective sections.

What are the important points of Revolt of 1857?

The main impact of the 1857 revolt was the abolishment of the East India Company, India was under the direct control of British authority, The Indian administration was directly controlled by Queen Victoria. The second major impact that the revolt of 1857 created was to develop unity & patriotism in the nation.

What was the main objective of 1857 revolt?

The major goal of the uprising was to prevent the assimilation of Indians into Western and British culture. Indians felt that the British wanted to strip them of their ethnic and religious identities. Another goal of the uprising was to slow down the acquisition of Indian lands by the British East India Company.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

IAS 2024 - Your dream can come true!

Download the ultimate guide to upsc cse preparation.

• Share Share

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan's View of the Causes of the Great Revolt in British India in the Mid-Nineteenth Century

Related Papers

Belkacem Belmekki

Aijaz Ahmad

Waqas Akbar Gondal

vishal tiwari

hussain Randathani kallen

The first war of Indian Independence, often called as 1857 Mutiny was the first joined attempt of the Indians against the British Raj. Though different reasons are attributed to the war, all the participants had the single aim of putting and end to the British rule. All of them wanted to bring back the Mughal rule forgetting their differences. That is why the national historians termed the so called mutiny as the First War of Independence. The war was led mainly by sepoys (British Indian Soldiers) and Muslim sbolars (ulama) and Brahmin pandits under the leadership of the last Mughal ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar, Some princely states also joined the war when the British authorities denied them their freedom and existence through various acts. Muslim ulama played a pivotal role in the struggle, but in the absence of concrete planning and under estimation of the strength of the enemy, the struggle ended in failure. As a result the Muslim community had to bear the consequences at the hands of the British authorities. However, the struggle became a land mark in the history of Indian freedom struggle. It began as a mutiny by the British Indian soldiers over economic and religious issues leading to a popular agitation supported by all who fed up with the British rule. It was the end of the endurance of a people who had been oppressed for a long time. The struggle spread at different parts of the country causing serious damages to the British hegemony.that alarmed authorities had to struggle hard to quell it. Faslul Haq Khairabadi, the religious scholar who held considerable strength among Muslim masses issued fatwas of jihad and instigated the people for rebellion through his blistering speeches. He was later imprisoned and sent to Andaman jails. In his book on the struggle, Thourat al Hindiayya, he points out the reasons of the struggle. " When the cities, villages and the regions in Hindustan were usurped by the British Christians their hearts got filled with outrage and enmity. As they attacked everybody with position and status, nobody was able to live with honour. The British made a plan to convert all Indians in to Christianity without giving attention to their status in the society. They thought that as the Indians had nobody to help, they would surrender without a fight. They knew that if the religion of the ruled and the rulers differed that might cause hurdles in governance. Hence they began to destroy the religion and beliefs of the Indians using every chance available. They tried to give education to children and the illiterates in their own language, English and tried to convert them. They established schools in cities and villages for this purpose. " 1 The utilitarian historians held the view that the 1857 struggle was one made by the religious fanatics against the Christians. It was also considered as a mutiny by the British Indian soldiers. National writer Surendranath Sen rightly says that, if there is no nationalism oriented love for the country that time, the main persuading factor will be religion. In the struggle all sections of people joined the British Indian soldiers to protect their own religions. 2 The mutiny, in one sense, was the result of unity of Hindu – Muslim communities against the western culture. Along with that it was the last struggle made by Brahmins and Maulavis together to expel the foreigners (Ibid). Indians feared that western culture might destroy the beliefs and customs which they

Khalid Umar

History Studies—International Journal of History, Turkey;

Tauseef Ahmad Parray

Perceiving Muslims as backward and in need of education, Indian Islamic modernist writer, educational and reformer Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan (1817-1898), undertook various major projects in the field of education, both as a response to British Imperialism and to change the intellectual, political and economic destiny of Muslims in India. The progressive spirit of the Aligarh movement founded by Sir Sayyid for the intellectual revival and socio-moral renewal and rejuvenation of Indian Muslims was one of the responses, among others, of Muslims to European Imperialism, which began in the 16th century but came to fruitition in the 19th and 20th centuries, and brought more than half of the Muslim world under its control. In order to put his education program into practice Sir Sayyid established the Aligarh Scientific Society, the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh, and the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental Educational Conference as well as the Tahzib al- Akhlaq journal and Aligarh Institute Gazette. This article presents these educational reforms of Sir Sayyid as a response to the British Imperialism in the context of Indian Subcontinent.

Centre for Land Warfare Studies(CLAWS), New Delhi

Rajendra Thakur

The bulk of the writings on the Indian Revolt of 1857 by British authors were guided by their own political and imperial motivations, with an aim to project their racial superiority as well as heroism of their citizens against the Indian rebels. The revolt was highlighted by exceptional leadership of four most prominent military leaders, namely Nana Sahib, Rani Laxmi Bai, Begum Hazrat Mahal and Kunwar Singh, whose combined efforts ensured that the fight continued for almost two years in spite of innumerable odds stacked against them. While the domestic aspect of the Indian Revolt of 1857 has been adequately covered and written about in the Indian academic landscape, not many Indians are aware about the international dimension of this defining historical moment of Indian history. Revolt led to not only public and political debates in numerous countries such as US, Russia, Ireland, Italy, China and the Middle East but also inspired their people to fight against their colonial masters.

Riya Gautam

Carimo Mohomed

After the Indian Mutiny of 1857‑1858, also known as the Sepoy Revolt or Uprising, and the end of the Mughal Dynasty, India became under the direct rule of the British Government, and there were a considerable number of Muslim political intellectuals who sought to reform and revitalize Islam in India and as a whole. The responses were various and the debates would surpass geographical boundaries, anticipating questions which are relevant even nowadays, like gender relations, new forms of religious institutionalization and the role of religion in politics. The aim of this paper is to analyze the thought of Sayyid Ahmad Khan (1817‑1898) and the educational impacts of his Muhammadan Anglo‑Oriental College, also known as the Aligarh Movement. Apos o Motim de 1857‑1858, tambem conhecido como a Revolta ou Rebeliao dos Cipaios, e o fim da Dinastia Mogol, a India passou a estar sob o controlo directo do governo britânico, e houve um numero consideravel de intelectuais politicos muculmanos qu...

RELATED PAPERS

Arrafiqilia Ismi

Frontiers in psychology

Paul T Y Preenen

Saroj K Mohapatra

Nano Letters

Subhash Risbud

sibel demiroglu

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Marinos Charalambous

Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences

Shafiqul Islam

Atma Reksa : Jurnal Pastoral dan Kateketik

Ignasius Suswakara

SSRN Electronic Journal

Iberian Journal of the History of Economic Thought

Leonidas Montes

Nino Vallen

arXiv: High Energy Physics - Phenomenology

George Rupp

Journal of rehabilitation research and development

Tony McMahon

Applied Physics Letters

David Novotny

Creudenia Freitas Santos

Doklady Earth Sciences

Dmitriy Grazhdankin

Sevilhan Mennan

ACS Chemical Neuroscience

Nawab J Dar

Radiocarbon

Louise Shewan

Ethiopian Journal of Health Development

Mirgissa Kaba

TURKISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

Sulen Sarioglu

Oñati Socio-Legal Series

Przemyslaw Tacik

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

Éric Renault

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us!

Internet Archive Audio

• This Just In
• Grateful Dead
• Old Time Radio
• 78 RPMs and Cylinder Recordings
• Audio Books & Poetry
• Computers, Technology and Science
• Music, Arts & Culture
• News & Public Affairs
• Spirituality & Religion
• Radio News Archive

• Flickr Commons
• Occupy Wall Street Flickr
• NASA Images
• Solar System Collection
• Ames Research Center

• All Software
• Old School Emulation
• MS-DOS Games
• Historical Software
• Classic PC Games
• Software Library
• Kodi Archive and Support File
• Vintage Software
• CD-ROM Software
• CD-ROM Software Library
• Software Sites
• Tucows Software Library
• Shareware CD-ROMs
• Software Capsules Compilation
• CD-ROM Images
• ZX Spectrum
• DOOM Level CD

• Smithsonian Libraries
• FEDLINK (US)
• Lincoln Collection
• American Libraries
• Canadian Libraries
• Universal Library
• Project Gutenberg
• Children's Library
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• Books by Language
• Additional Collections

• Prelinger Archives
• Democracy Now!
• Occupy Wall Street
• TV NSA Clip Library
• Animation & Cartoons
• Arts & Music
• Computers & Technology
• Cultural & Academic Films
• Ephemeral Films
• Sports Videos
• Videogame Videos
• Youth Media

Search the history of over 866 billion web pages on the Internet.

Mobile Apps

• Wayback Machine (iOS)
• Wayback Machine (Android)

Browser Extensions

Archive-it subscription.

• Explore the Collections
• Build Collections

Save Page Now

Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future.

Please enter a valid web address

• Donate Donate icon An illustration of a heart shape

The Causes Of The Indian Revolt

Bookreader item preview, share or embed this item, flag this item for.

• Graphic Violence
• Explicit Sexual Content
• Hate Speech
• Misinformation/Disinformation
• Marketing/Phishing/Advertising
• Misleading/Inaccurate/Missing Metadata

Book Source: Digital Library of India Item 2015.200833

dc.contributor.author: Bahadur Syed Ahmed Khan dc.date.accessioned: 2015-07-09T12:12:58Z dc.date.available: 2015-07-09T12:12:58Z dc.date.digitalpublicationdate: 2005-05-18 dc.date.citation: 1873 dc.identifier: SCL dc.identifier.barcode: 2990110065753 dc.identifier.origpath: /data_copy/upload/0065/758 dc.identifier.copyno: 1 dc.identifier.uri: http://www.new.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/200833 dc.description.scanningcentre: State Central Library, Hyderabad dc.description.main: 1 dc.description.tagged: 0 dc.description.totalpages: 78 dc.format.mimetype: application/pdf dc.language.iso: English dc.publisher.digitalrepublisher: Digital Library Of India dc.publisher: Benares Medical Hall Press dc.rights: In Public Domain dc.source.library: State Central Library dc.subject.classification: Geography. Biography. History dc.subject.classification: General History dc.subject.classification: History Of History Of Asia dc.subject.keywords: History dc.title: The Causes Of The Indian Revolt

plus-circle Add Review comment Reviews

2,310 Views

8 Favorites

DOWNLOAD OPTIONS

For users with print-disabilities

IN COLLECTIONS

Uploaded by Public Resource on January 16, 2017

SIMILAR ITEMS (based on metadata)

Causes of the American Revolution Essay

1775 was the year that saw disagreements explode amid the United States’ colonized states, and the colonizer Great Britain. The phrase “no taxation without representation” is very familiar. The colonies succeeded in getting their independence by the signing of the Treaty of Paris that brought the war to stop. Whereas we cannot point to one particular action as the real cause of the American Revolution, the war was ignited by the way Great Britain treated the thirteen united colonies in comparison to the treatment that the colonies anticipated from Great Britain. The Americans had a feeling that they were equal to the Englishmen, and thus entitled to the same rights (Wood, 2002, p 123-125). On their part, the British had it that the Americans existed to be used according to the stipulation of the parliament, as well as the crown. This disagreement is carried in the American slogan, “no taxation without representation.”

We can look at the independent way of thinking by the American founding fathers. Firstly, geographically, the distance between the colonies and Great Britain made independence that could rarely be overcome. The colonizers were searching for new fertile lands as well as exploring new opportunities, and also being in the free world. Secondly, the presence of colonial legislators implied that the colonies were variously crown independent. Passing of laws, the mustering of the soldier troops, and levying of taxes was under the mandate of legislators. With time, these powers were considered rights. When they were denied by the British, disagreements set in between the groups. The leaders to be in the United States came out of their mothers’ wombs during this era of legislatures.

Thirdly, it was the issue of salutary neglect. Despite the belief strongly held by the British with regard to the leader then (Prime Minister Robert Walpole) favored the “salutary neglect.” This is a structure that promoted negligence in the actual enforcement of the relation to the outside or international trade. He had at the back of his mind that with this liberalism, trade would be triggered even more. Finally, there was the issue of enlightenment. The exposure of a large number of the revolutionary leaders to writings that consisted of works by prominent writers ( John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu) was an eye-opener to the Americans. The writings equipped the founders with concepts relating to limited government, separation of powers, the acceptance of the people governed not forgetting the social contract as well (Bancroft, 2007 pp 162-168).

Some of the main events that resulted in the revolution include the following:

1763 proclamation, which barred settlement past the Appalachian Mountains; the sugar act of 1764 which raised revenue via increased duties on sugar imported from West Indies; Quartering Act of 1765 where Britain did order that the colonists, where necessary were supposed to house as well feed the British soldiers; and the Stamp Act of 1765 which affected many items including licenses for marriage, but was repealed nine years later (Bancroft, 2007 pp 172-175). Further, the revolution at this point was due to increased hard life impositions from the British side (Bancroft, 2007 pp 1176).

There was the great awakening which was a period of heightened religious activity in all the colonies in America. The enthusiasm that resulted was characterized by disagreements among the competing divisions of churches as well as opposing the existing churches. These religious movements reignited the older customs relating to protestant dissent and resulted in the popular, as well as individualistic means of religiosity which disagreed with the alleges of the instated authorities, and respected chains of command- first within the churches and, after some time, around the 1760s to 1770s, in regal politics. It is argued that the first awaking that involved religious upheavals acted to set the stage for creating colonies that gave a hand to a political revolution. It is thus evident that American Revolution resulted from putting together the customs of republicanism and those relating to the radical protestant dissent (Wood, 2002, pp 178-190).

The Revolt of 1857 – Overview and Causes – UPSC Modern History Notes

The Revolt of 1857, often referred to as the First War of Indian Independence, stands as a pivotal chapter in the history of India’s struggle for freedom from British colonial rule. This momentous uprising, which erupted in various parts of India, marked a significant turning point in the nation’s long and arduous journey towards independence. The year 1857 witnessed a remarkable convergence of Indian sepoys, soldiers, and civilians from diverse backgrounds and regions, united in their common resolve to challenge the oppressive British regime. This rebellion, characterized by a complex interplay of political, economic, religious, and social factors, left an indelible mark on India’s collective consciousness and paved the way for subsequent movements that ultimately led to India’s eventual emancipation from British colonialism. In this essay, we will delve into the causes, events, and consequences of the Revolt of 1857, exploring the multifaceted nature of this historic uprising and its enduring impact on the Indian subcontinent.

Table of Contents

The causes of the revolt were multi-faceted and rooted in various socio-cultural, economic, and political factors. Here are some of the key causes:

• Sepoy Discontent: The revolt was triggered by the widespread dissatisfaction among Indian sepoys (soldiers) in the British East India Company’s army. They were subjected to various grievances, including low pay, racial discrimination, harsh discipline, and the use of controversial new rifle cartridges rumored to be greased with animal fat (offensive to both Hindus and Muslims).
• Cultural and Religious Concerns: The British administration’s attempts to interfere with local customs, traditions, and religious practices were met with resistance. There was growing discontent among Indian soldiers and civilians who saw their cultural and religious beliefs being undermined.
• Economic Exploitation: The British policies, such as the introduction of new land revenue systems, heavy taxation, and economic exploitation, resulted in widespread economic hardship among the Indian population. Peasants, artisans, and landowners suffered under the British administration, leading to resentment and discontent.
• Political Factors: The annexation of princely states, the dissolution of native ruling structures, and the introduction of direct British administration eroded the authority and privileges of Indian rulers and elites. This threatened their status, power, and influence, leading some of them to join the revolt in an attempt to regain their positions.
• Nationalistic Sentiments: The revolt was fueled by growing nationalist sentiments and a desire for self-rule among the Indian population. The British rule was seen as oppressive and exploitative, leading to a sense of unity and shared purpose among different sections of society.
• It is important to note that the causes and motivations of the revolt varied across different regions and communities in India. The revolt of 1857 marked a significant turning point in the history of Indian independence movements and had a lasting impact on the trajectory of the struggle against British rule.

Economic Causes

The economic causes of the revolt of 1857 were significant in driving discontent among the Indian population. The colonial policies of the East India Company had a detrimental impact on the traditional economic structure of Indian society, leading to widespread impoverishment and dislocation. Here are some key economic factors:

• Revenue Settlement and Heavy Taxation: The revenue settlement policies imposed by the British, such as the Permanent Settlement in Bengal and the Ryotwari system in other regions, burdened the peasantry with heavy taxes. The new revenue systems disrupted traditional land ownership patterns and often led to the eviction of peasants from their lands.
• Rural Indebtedness: The high taxes and economic hardships forced the peasantry to borrow from moneylenders and traders at exorbitant interest rates. The peasants often found themselves trapped in a cycle of debt, leading to landlessness and further impoverishment. The emergence of moneylenders and traders as new landlords further exacerbated the exploitation of the peasantry.
• The decline of Artisans and Handicrafts: The British policies and the decline of patronage from native rulers and nobles had a severe impact on the livelihoods of artisans and handicraft workers. The promotion of British goods and the discouragement of Indian handicrafts led to the collapse of traditional industries. Skilled craftsmen were left without employment opportunities as modern industries were not developed to absorb them.
• Disruption of Zamindari System: The traditional Zamindari system, which provided a form of land ownership and administration, was undermined under British rule. The disintegration of the Zamindari system further destabilized rural society and created landlessness among the peasantry.
• These economic factors, combined with social and political grievances, contributed to the overall discontent and resentment against British rule, culminating in the revolt of 1857. The economic impact of British colonial policies and the destruction of traditional economic structures had long-lasting consequences for Indian society, with rural indebtedness and the decline of traditional industries continuing to affect the country even after independence.

The view expressed by Karl Marx and the analysis of the economic impact of British colonialism presented here highlight the deliberate actions taken by the British to undermine and destroy various sectors of the Indian economy. These actions had severe consequences for Indian industries, trade, and social structures. Let’s examine some key points:

• Destruction of Indian Handloom: The British introduced twist (spinning machinery) into India and flooded the market with cheap machine-made goods, disrupting the indigenous handloom industry. This deliberate strategy not only destroyed Indian handloom but also created a dependency on British goods.
• Crippling Indian Trade and Mercantile Class: The British imposed high tariff duties on Indian-made goods while allowing British goods to enter India with low tariffs. This unfair trade policy hampered Indian trade and handicrafts, benefiting British industries at the expense of Indian manufacturers and merchants.
• Loss of Indian Textile Exports: The dominance of British textiles in the European market led to the decline of Indian cotton and silk exports. This further weakened the Indian textile industry and resulted in a loss of income for Indian producers.
• Dispossession of Zamindars: The British administration frequently used quo warranto (legal proceedings questioning landownership) to confiscate land rights of the traditional landed aristocracy, known as zamindars. This led to the loss of status and income for the zamindars, creating discontent among them.
• Pauperization and Pressure on Agriculture: The destruction of Indian industries and the decline of traditional economic sectors resulted in an increased reliance on agriculture as a means of livelihood. However, the lopsided development of the economy and the population growth created immense pressure on agricultural resources, leading to pauperization and impoverishment of the country as a whole.

Overall, the viewpoint presented underscores the deliberate economic policies of the British that disrupted and destroyed various sectors of the Indian economy, resulting in widespread socio-economic hardships and grievances. These economic factors, combined with other social and political factors, contributed to the uprising and revolt against British rule in 1857.

Political Causes

The political causes of the revolt of 1857 can be attributed to the erosion of political authority and the dismantling of traditional power structures. Here are some key points regarding the political causes:

• The disintegration of Native Political Authority: The annexation of princely states and the subjugation of Indian rulers by the East India Company disintegrated native political authority. The loss of power and prestige for Indian rulers affected their subjects, who relied on their patronage for support and protection.
• Subversion of Traditional Power Structures: The British administration implemented policies that undermined traditional power structures, such as the Zamindari system. This led to the dispossession and marginalization of indigenous elites and aristocracy, causing resentment among those who had previously benefited from their patronage.
• The decline of the Mughal Empire: The decline of the Mughal Empire and the reduced status of the Mughal emperor further eroded the symbolic authority and legitimacy of Indian rulers. The British imposed restrictions and control on the Mughal emperor, reducing him to a figurehead with little real power.
• Interference in Religious and Cultural Practices: The British administration interfered in religious and cultural practices, sometimes infringing upon the sentiments and traditions of the Indian population. This interference, along with the erosion of patronage by native rulers, created a sense of insecurity and discontent among religious and cultural communities.
• Disruption of Succession and Dynastic Issues: The British administration often interfered in matters of succession and imposed their preferred successors, disregarding traditional succession practices. This created internal conflicts and tensions within ruling families and further destabilized the political landscape.
• The erosion of political authority, subversion of traditional power structures, and interference in religious and cultural practices contributed to the political grievances that fueled the revolt of 1857. These factors, combined with the economic and socio-cultural causes, led to a widespread uprising against British colonial rule.

Administrative Causes

The administrative causes of the revolt of 1857 can be attributed to the corrupt and oppressive nature of the British administration. Here are some key points regarding the administrative causes:

• Corruption in the Company’s Administration: The East India Company’s administration was plagued by rampant corruption, particularly among the police, petty officials, and lower law courts. Widespread bribery, embezzlement, and extortion created a sense of injustice and discontent among the Indian population. This corruption not only affected the delivery of justice but also exacerbated the economic hardships faced by the people.
• Oppressive Policies and Regulations: The British administration imposed a range of oppressive policies and regulations that further fueled resentment among the Indian population. These policies included excessive taxation, arbitrary land confiscations, and discriminatory laws that favored the British and disadvantaged the Indians. The arbitrary exercise of power and the lack of accountability of British officials contributed to the grievances against the administration.
• Absentee Sovereignty: British rule in India was often characterized by a sense of “absentee sovereignty.” The British officials, who were mainly from Britain, held positions of power and authority in India but often had a limited understanding of Indian society, culture, and needs. This created a disconnect between the rulers and the ruled, leading to a perception of foreign and alien rule.
• Cultural Insensitivity: The British administration demonstrated cultural insensitivity by imposing Western norms and values on Indian society. They disregarded local customs, traditions, and religious practices, which further alienated the Indian population and contributed to a sense of cultural subjugation.
• The combination of corruption, oppressive policies, absentee sovereignty, and cultural insensitivity in the British administration created a deep sense of discontent among the Indian population. These administrative factors, along with the economic, political, and socio-cultural causes, played a significant role in fueling the revolt of 1857.

Socio-Religious Causes

The socio-religious causes of the revolt of 1857 can be attributed to the racial attitudes of the British administration, the activities of Christian missionaries, and the perception of interference in Indian social and religious practices. Here are some key points regarding the socio-religious causes:

• Racial Attitudes and Superiority Complex: The British administrators often exhibited racial overtones and a sense of superiority towards the native Indian population. This attitude of considering themselves superior to Indians based on race and culture created resentment among the Indian population.
• Activities of Christian Missionaries: The presence of Christian missionaries in India, who were often associated with the British administration, generated suspicion and fear among Indians. The efforts of missionaries to convert Indians to Christianity were seen as a threat to indigenous religions and cultural practices. This perception further fueled resistance against British rule.
• Interference in Social and Religious Practices: British attempts at socio-religious reform, such as the abolition of sati (the practice of widow burning), support for widow remarriage, and promotion of women’s education, were viewed by a significant section of the Indian population as interference in their social and religious domains. The perception that outsiders were imposing their values and customs on Indian society created a sense of resistance and opposition.
• Taxation of Religious Lands and Religious Disabilities Act: The British administration imposed taxes on the mosque and temple lands, which were considered sacred by the local population. This was seen as an infringement on religious freedom and led to discontent among the affected communities. Additionally, the enactment of the Religious Disabilities Act in 1856, which modified Hindu customs, added to the perception of interference in religious practices and traditions.
• The socio-religious causes of the revolt of 1857 were rooted in the racial attitudes of the British administration, the activities of Christian missionaries, and the perceived interference in Indian social and religious practices. These factors contributed to a growing sense of cultural subjugation and resistance among the Indian population, ultimately playing a significant role in the outbreak of the revolt.

Influence of Outside Events

The outside events that occurred during the time of the revolt of 1857, including the First Afghan War, the Punjab Wars, and the Crimean War, had a significant influence on the perception and psyche of the Indian population. Here are some key points regarding the influence of these outside events:

• Perceived British Weakness: The British Empire faced significant challenges and losses during these wars, which were observed by the Indian population. The defeats and losses suffered by the British in the First Afghan War, Punjab Wars, and Crimean War created a perception among Indians that the British might not be as invincible as previously believed. This perception of British weakness instilled a sense of confidence among the rebels and made them believe that the British could be defeated.
• Psychological Repercussions: The news of British losses in these outside events had psychological repercussions on the Indian population. It created a sense of hope and inspiration, as it indicated that the mighty British Empire was not invulnerable. This psychological impact played a role in motivating the rebels and fueling their determination to challenge British authority.
• Symbol of Resistance: The outside events served as symbols of resistance and defiance against British imperialism. The Indian rebels saw the setbacks faced by the British as an opportunity to rise against their colonial rule and regain their independence. The news of British defeats abroad provided a backdrop of rebellion and encouraged the rebels to take up arms against the British East India Company.
• It is important to note that while these outside events had a psychological impact and contributed to the rebels’ perception of British weakness, the revolt of 1857 was primarily driven by a combination of socio-economic, political, and administrative factors rooted in India itself. The outside events served as a catalyst and provided a context for the rebellion, but the revolt was fundamentally a response to the grievances and aspirations of the Indian population under British rule.

Discontent Among Sepoys

The discontent among the sepoys, or Indian soldiers in the East India Company’s Army, played a significant role in the revolt of 1857. Here are some key points regarding the discontent among the sepoys:

• Religious Beliefs and Prejudices: The conditions of service in the Company’s Army and cantonments clashed with the religious beliefs and prejudices of the sepoys. Restrictions on wearing caste and sectarian marks, as well as rumors of proselytizing activities by the chaplains, were seen as interference in their religious affairs. The conservative nature of many sepoys made them sensitive to any perceived infringement on their religious practices.
• General Service Enlistment Act: The passing of the General Service Enlistment Act in 1856, which required future recruits to serve anywhere as required by the government, caused resentment among the sepoys. This act meant that they could potentially be sent overseas, which was considered crossing the seas and seen as a loss of caste by religious Hindus.
• The disparity in Treatment: The sepoys were dissatisfied with the disparity in treatment and emoluments compared to their British counterparts. They felt discriminated against in matters of promotion, privileges, and allowances, such as the denial of foreign service allowance when serving in certain regions.
• Annexation of Awadh: The annexation of Awadh (Oudh), a region with a significant population of sepoys, further fueled their discontent. The annexation disrupted the existing social and political order, leading to a sense of loss and anger among the sepoys.
• Subordination and Discrimination: The sepoys felt subordinated at every step and experienced racial discrimination within the army. They believed that they were treated as inferior to the British soldiers and faced obstacles in terms of career advancement.
• Peasants in Uniform: The sepoys were often drawn from rural backgrounds and maintained a connection to the grievances and aspirations of the rural population. Their discontent was not limited to military matters but reflected the wider opposition to British rule.
• History of Revolts: The British Indian Army had a history of revolts and uprisings, with incidents in Bengal, Vellore, Barrackpore, and during the Afghan Wars serving as precedents. These previous rebellions contributed to a sense of collective discontent and the belief that resistance against British rule was possible.
• The discontent among the sepoys, influenced by religious, social, and military factors, played a significant role in the outbreak of the revolt of 1857. Their grievances and opposition to British rule were intertwined with the broader discontent of the Indian population at the time.

White Mutiny

• The White Mutiny refers to the unrest and resistance shown by a section of European forces employed under the British East India Company in the aftermath of the transfer of power from the Company to the British Crown. This transfer required the allegiance of the forces to shift from the defunct Company to the Queen, similar to the British Army.
• The resentment among the European forces stemmed from several factors. Firstly, they were unhappy with the cessation of the batta, which was an extra allowance of pay provided to cover various expenses associated with operations outside the soldiers’ home territories. Additionally, Lord Canning’s legalistic interpretation of the laws related to the transfer of power further fueled their discontent.
• The White Mutiny posed a potential threat to the already vulnerable British position in India, as it had the potential to incite renewed rebellion among the population. The demands put forth by the European forces included an enlistment bonus or the choice of release from their obligations. Eventually, their demand for a free and clear release with free passage back to their home countries was accepted, and many soldiers opted to return home.
• The level of rebellion and physical violence displayed by the European forces was significant, making it unlikely for them to be accepted into the Queen’s Army. As a result, their demands for release and repatriation were granted.
• The White Mutiny, although smaller in scale compared to the 1857 revolt, highlights the discontent and resistance faced by the British authorities even among their own forces during this period of transition and change.
• The view expressed highlights the negative consequences of British rule in India following the 1857 revolt and the Queen’s Proclamation of 1858. According to this perspective:
• Social deterioration: The social fabric of Indian society suffered irreparable damage as the British pitted different communities against each other, leading to heightened social divisions and animosity among the Indian population.
• Economic exploitation: Although British territorial conquest had ended, a period of systematic economic exploitation by the British began. The Indian economy was fully exploited for the benefit of the British, leading to economic deprivation and the draining of resources from India.
• Inequality and discrimination: The Indian Civil Service Act of 1861, which aimed to project equality under the Queen, actually perpetuated racial and discriminatory practices. The rules and regulations surrounding the civil service examination ensured that the higher services remained accessible primarily to the colonizers, maintaining a racial hierarchy.
• Racial hatred and suspicion: The revolt and its aftermath exacerbated racial hatred and suspicion between Indians and the British. British newspapers and journals depicted Indians as subhuman and portrayed the need for the British to maintain control through superior force. This attitude of superiority and contempt widened the divide between the rulers and the ruled.
• Remodeling of the Indian government: The complete restructuring of the Indian government was based on the belief in the superiority of the British “master race” and the notion of the “White Man’s burden.” This further deepened the gulf between the ruling British authorities and the Indian population, leading to political controversies, demonstrations, and acts of violence.
• Overall, this view highlights the negative legacy of British imperialism in India, including social divisions, economic exploitation, racial discrimination, and the erosion of trust between the rulers and the ruled. It suggests that the aftermath of the revolt and the British response to it exacerbated these issues, setting the stage for further political conflicts and unrest in the future.

Significance of the Revolt

• The significance of the Revolt of 1857 can be understood from both British and Indian perspectives. Here are the key points:
• British perspective: The Revolt exposed the shortcomings of the East India Company’s administration and army. It revealed the need for reforms and prompted the British to make prompt changes to rectify the flaws. The British authorities took steps to improve the administration and military organization, which may not have happened without the Revolt.
• Indian perspective: The Revolt had a profound impact on the Indian struggle for freedom. It brought the grievances of the Indian people and sepoys to the forefront, highlighting their genuine concerns. While it became apparent that the Indians lacked the advanced weaponry of the British and were at a disadvantage militarily, the Revolt also revealed the atrocities committed by both sides. This led Indian intellectuals to reject violence as a means of achieving freedom and reinforced the belief in a nonviolent and orderly approach.
• Establishment of resistance traditions: The Revolt of 1857 played a significant role in establishing local traditions of resistance to British rule. It created a sense of collective identity and resistance among the Indian population, which would later contribute to the national struggle for freedom. The events of 1857 served as a historical reference and inspiration for future generations in their fight against British imperialism.
• In summary, the Revolt of 1857 had a dual significance. It exposed the weaknesses in British administration and prompted reforms, while also shaping the course of the Indian freedom struggle by revealing the limitations of violent resistance and establishing local traditions of resistance against British rule.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: what was the revolt of 1857, and when did it occur.

A: The Revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Independence, was a significant uprising against British colonial rule in India. It began in 1857 and continued into 1858. It was a widespread and coordinated rebellion that involved various Indian states and regions.

Q: What were the main causes of the Revolt of 1857?

A: The causes of the Revolt of 1857 were multifaceted. They included social, economic, and political factors. Some key causes were discontent among Indian soldiers (sepoys) due to the use of cartridges rumored to be greased with animal fat, economic hardships faced by Indian farmers and artisans, and a general resentment towards British policies and cultural insensitivity.

Q: Who were the key leaders and figures involved in the Revolt of 1857?

A: The Revolt of 1857 saw the participation of numerous leaders and figures. Prominent leaders included Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Bahadur Shah II, Kunwar Singh, Tantia Tope, and Nana Sahib, among others. These leaders played vital roles in organizing and leading the rebellion in various regions.

Q: What were the outcomes of the Revolt of 1857?

A: The Revolt of 1857 had far-reaching consequences. While it ultimately failed to overthrow British rule, it did lead to several significant changes. The British government took direct control of India from the East India Company, introduced several reforms, and paid more attention to Indian cultural and religious sensitivities. The revolt also played a role in the gradual emergence of the Indian nationalist movement.

Q: How did the Revolt of 1857 impact the relationship between Indians and the British?

A: The Revolt of 1857 significantly strained the relationship between Indians and the British colonial rulers. It deepened mistrust and animosity on both sides. While the British government became more cautious about offending Indian sentiments, it also implemented repressive measures to prevent future uprisings. This tumultuous period set the stage for the Indian freedom struggle in the years to come.

In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.  

For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here

For Daily Updates and Study Material:

Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS

• 1. Learn through Videos – here
• 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
• 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
• 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here

Visit our YouTube Channel – here

• Political Association Before Indian National Congress – Modern History Notes
• Constitutional Development (1861-1919) – Modern History Notes
• Attlee Announcement – Modern History Notes
• Montagu’s Statement of August 1917 & Indian Objections – UPSC Modern History Notes

Edukemy Team

Lucknow session of indian national congress (1916) – upsc modern..., champaran satyagraha (1917) – upsc modern history notes, carnatic war – upsc modern history notes, hindustan republican association (1924) – modern history notes, rise of middle-class intelligentsia – upsc modern history notes, advent of the europeans in india – upsc modern history..., weaknesses of people’s uprisings – upsc modern history notes, evaluation of khilafat and non-cooperation movements – upsc modern history..., muslim socio-religious reform movements – modern history notes, social policies, social changes and spread of modern education –..., leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies Got it

Keep me signed in until I sign out

Forgot your password?

A new password will be emailed to you.

Have received a new password? Login here

GS Foundation

UPSC All India Mock Test – Edukemy Open Mock

Home — Essay Samples — Arts & Culture — Cultural Anthropology — Causes and Consequences of the Sepoy Rebellion

Causes and Consequences of The Sepoy Rebellion

• Categories: Cultural Anthropology

About this sample

Words: 671 |

Published: Mar 8, 2024

Words: 671 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, causes of the sepoy rebellion, consequences of the sepoy rebellion.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof Ernest (PhD)

Verified writer

• Expert in: Arts & Culture

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 527 words

3 pages / 1559 words

3 pages / 1364 words

2 pages / 1095 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Cultural Anthropology

As a college student who is interested in sports and athletics, one of the most crucial aspects of physical fitness and performance is the proper function and movement of the feet. While many athletes focus on developing their [...]

What makes a good wife? This question has been a central theme in literature for centuries. Through various stories and narratives, the role of the wife has been examined, critiqued, and redefined. One such story that delves [...]

Culture plays a vital role in shaping one's identity and worldview. As a college student, I have come to appreciate the richness and diversity that different cultures bring to the academic environment. In this essay, I will [...]

The Barrio by Robert Ramirez is an insightful and thought-provoking story that explores the author's experiences growing up in a vibrant and close-knit Hispanic neighborhood. Through the use of vivid descriptions and [...]

Stereotyping is a widespread issue that affects various aspects of our lives, from how we view different cultures to how we judge people based on their appearance. These stereotypes, while seemingly harmless, can have serious [...]

The weaponry of the Sioux Tribe is a fascinating and important aspect of Native American history and culture. The weapons used by the Sioux Tribe were not only essential for hunting and self-defense, but they also held deep [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples World India

The History and Causes of The Indian Revolt of 1857

Table of contents, introduction, analysis of the revolt of 1857.

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

• North Korea

Related Essays

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Essay on Revolt Of 1857

Students are often asked to write an essay on Revolt Of 1857 in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Revolt Of 1857

Introduction.

The Revolt of 1857, often called the First War of Indian Independence, was a significant event in Indian history. It was a massive rebellion against the British East India Company. The revolt started on May 10, 1857, in Meerut, and soon spread to other parts of the country.

Causes of the Revolt

Several factors led to the Revolt of 1857. The main reasons were the British policies of annexation and disrespect towards Indian traditions. The immediate cause was the introduction of new rifle cartridges rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat, offending both Hindus and Muslims.

Leaders of the Revolt

The revolt was led by various Indian leaders. Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Kunwar Singh of Bihar, and Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, were some of the key figures. They fought bravely against the British forces.

Outcome of the Revolt

The Revolt of 1857 was eventually suppressed by the British. Despite its failure, it marked the beginning of a new phase in India’s struggle for freedom. It led to the end of the East India Company’s rule and the start of direct British control.

Significance of the Revolt

The Revolt of 1857 is important because it was the first large-scale rebellion against British rule. It awakened a sense of national unity among Indians and set the stage for the eventual independence of India in 1947.

250 Words Essay on Revolt Of 1857

The Revolt of 1857 was a significant event in Indian history. It was a massive rebellion against the British East India Company’s rule in India. Many people call it India’s First War of Independence.

There were many reasons for the Revolt of 1857. The British were not treating Indians fairly. They were taking away the land of many Indian rulers. They also introduced new laws and taxes that were not liked by the people. The use of animal fat in the new rifle cartridges was the last straw. This hurt the religious feelings of both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.

The revolt began on May 10, 1857, in Meerut. The Indian soldiers, also known as sepoys, refused to use the new rifle cartridges. They killed their British officers and marched towards Delhi. The revolt spread to other parts of India like Kanpur, Lucknow, and Jhansi.

Many brave leaders led the revolt. Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Nana Sahib, and Tantia Tope were some of the famous leaders. They fought bravely against the British.

End of the Revolt

The revolt ended in 1858. The British were able to suppress the revolt due to better weapons and lack of unity among the Indian leaders. This marked the end of the British East India Company’s rule. India came directly under the British Crown.

The Revolt of 1857 was a big step towards India’s struggle for freedom. It showed the British that Indians were not happy with their rule. Even though the revolt did not succeed, it sparked the fire of freedom in the hearts of many Indians.

500 Words Essay on Revolt Of 1857

The beginning of the revolt.

The Revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, was a significant event in Indian history. It started on May 10th, 1857, in the town of Meerut. Indian soldiers, known as sepoys, in the British East India Company’s army, rose against the British. This happened because the sepoys were unhappy with their treatment by the British officers. They were also upset about new rifle cartridges that were greased with animal fat, which was against their religious beliefs.

Spread of the Revolt

The revolt did not stay in Meerut. It spread to other parts of India, such as Delhi, Kanpur, and Lucknow. The rebellion was not just among soldiers. Ordinary people, including farmers and local leaders, also joined in. They were angry about the British rule and the changes it brought to their lives, like high taxes and laws that went against their customs.

There were many leaders in the Revolt of 1857. Some of the most famous ones were Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Kunwar Singh of Bihar, and Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor. These leaders inspired many people to join the revolt. They fought bravely and made great sacrifices for the cause.

End of the Revolt and its Impact

The Revolt of 1857 ended in 1858 when the British took control again. Many of the leaders were killed or sent away. The British government made changes in how they ruled India. The East India Company was ended, and the British Crown took direct control. This event is known as the beginning of the British Raj, which lasted until 1947.

Even though the revolt did not succeed in ending British rule, it had a big impact. It showed the British that the Indian people were not happy with their rule. It also brought together people from different parts of India to fight against a common enemy. This unity was important in later years when India fought for its independence.

The Revolt of 1857 was a major event in Indian history. It showed the discontent of the Indian people under British rule. It brought together people from different regions and backgrounds in a common cause. Even though it did not end British rule, it laid the groundwork for future struggles for freedom. It is an important part of our history that reminds us of the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for our country’s freedom.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Revolutionary War
• Essay on Rice
• Essay on Rice For Thanksgiving

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

“Causes of American Revolution” Essay

Causes of the american revolution.

The Colonies

The colonies in America were founded by people who wanted to escape from slavery or from religious and social inequalities. With the increasing power and control of the British over these colonies, the people feared the loss of freedom and wanted to do everything to remain free and this was one of the major reasons for the revolution.

The French and the Indian War

The war was fought between 1754 and 1763 and led to a lot of money being spent. Additionally, the American colonies and France allied with native Americans for the war. This also meant stationing the British troops in the American colonies and providing for their essential needs. To do so, the British government started imposing taxes on the people of the colonies with brought about a lot of resentment.

Taxes and Laws

There were several unfair and unjust laws and taxes that were imposed by the colonial government on the people of the colonies. The Sugar Act that increased taxes on molasses, the Stamp Act that required duty to be paid on legal documents and paper were some of the acts that led to discontent of the people. In addition, the government collected a high amount of taxes from the people who were not happy with the tax laws.

Boston Protests

Many people from the colonies started to protest against the laws and taxes in Boston. During one of the protests, shots were fired and this led to a massacre in Boston. This added fuel to the fire and prepared a strong ground for the revolution. The colonial government at this time also imposed a new tax on tea and this was protested against in the form of the Boston Tea Party.

Attacks on Towns

The British also attacked several towns like New York, New Jersey as well as the coastal towns in America that made people run for their lives. This further led to increasing unity between the people of the colonies who wanted to revolt against the government to stop atrocities and gain their independence.

The First Continental Congress

In the year 1774, 12 out of the 13 colonies of the Americans sent representatives to the First Continental Congress to raise their voice against the unjust acts and laws. A petition was sent to King George to repeal the act, but Congress did not receive any response. As a result, the people of the colonies decided to boycott British goods and this became one of the main reasons for the revolution.

All these events eventually led to the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, at the end of which America was able to gain its independence.

Related Posts

Slave Society in Ancient Greece

Swadeshi Movement: Essay, Important Notes

Reign of Terror in France

10 Most Important Movements For the Independence of India

American Revolution: Essay & Important Notes

Invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni

Add comment cancel reply.

Causal AI: the revolution uncovering the ‘why’ of decision-making

Integrating genAI with causal AI facilitates rapid, intuitive analysis through the former while ensuring decisions are informed by the robust, methodical insights derived from the latter. Image:  Getty Images/iStockphoto

.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:hover,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:focus,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);} Darko Matovski

.chakra .wef-9dduvl{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-9dduvl{font-size:1.125rem;}} Explore and monitor how .chakra .wef-15eoq1r{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;color:#F7DB5E;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-15eoq1r{font-size:1.125rem;}} Artificial Intelligence is affecting economies, industries and global issues

.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;color:#2846F8;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{font-size:1.125rem;}} Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale

Stay up to date:, artificial intelligence.

• GenAI is falling short in terms of applicability to decision-making situations.
• Where it relies on recognizing correlations and patterns in events, causal AI is rooted in a deeper understanding of the cause and effect behind them.
• Teaming up genAI and causal AI combines the advantages of fast and slow thinking, facilitating decision-making that is both quick and accurate.

Generative AI (genAI) has shown much promise and generated significant excitement across the technology world over the last 18 months. In particular, Large Language Models (LLMs) can engage in human-like conversations, answer questions, and even create coherent and creative text, leading some to argue that they have effectively passed the Turing test – a long-standing benchmark for evaluating machine intelligence.

This has prompted many to conclude that humanity is progressing towards artificial general intelligence (AGI) and that genAI alone will get us there. However, the lack of success for genAI in current enterprise use cases, particularly those related to decision-making, suggests that LLMs, while impressive, are not the AI silver bullet. In the short term, a more holistic view of AI needs to be taken for enterprise use cases related to decision-making and, in the long term, for the development of AGI.

LLMs operate by transforming natural language into the language of probability and using this to produce outputs. Given a prompt, an LLM will output the word that is statistically the most likely to come next. Knowledge is produced probabilistically. In contrast, most human knowledge is encoded in causal relationships rather than probabilistic ones. Take as an example facts such as “symptoms do not cause disease” and “ash does not cause fire”. Humans use these causal relationships to reason about the world and make decisions. The probabilistic language used by LLMs has no notion of cause and effect.

Have you read?

What is 'causal ai' and why will it become increasingly important , sovereign ai: what it is, and 6 strategic pillars for achieving it, it’s up to us to determine if generative ai helps or harms our world.

So, it's little surprise that LLMs often fall short when it comes to reasoning, thinking critically or exhibiting genuine comprehension. For these reasons, LLMs struggle to unlock many enterprise use cases. Hallucinations , bias , lack of transparency and limited interpretability make businesses hesitant to trust LLMs for decision-making.

The challenge of applying LLMs to decision-making use cases highlights the reasons for lack of enterprise adoption in the short term and the gaps when considering whether LLMs alone offer a route to AGI. Larger language models and more training data will not bridge the gap; AI needs additional capabilities, including reasoning on cause and effect.

The human brain and System 2 thinking

A useful way of thinking holistically about the AI landscape is to compare current approaches to the way humans learn, process information and generate outputs. To better understand this, we can draw direct comparisons between contemporary AI techniques and the workings of the human brain.

While the brain remains an enigma in many ways, researchers have proposed frameworks to help explain its complex operations. One such framework, introduced by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman in his work Thinking, Fast and Slow , has particularly compelling parallels with the current state of AI.

Kahneman's framework posits that the human brain operates in two distinct modes: fast thinking and slow thinking. Fast thinking, or System 1 thinking, is characterized by quick, associative and intuitive processes that occur unconsciously. When presented with a familiar image or situation, our brains instantly respond based on prior experiences and patterns. In contrast, slow thinking (System 2) is a conscious, logical and analytical mode of processing information. It is the thinking we engage in when faced with complex problems or novel situations that require careful reasoning and deliberation.

While genAI, with its ability to process vast amounts of data and generate human-like responses, resembles the fast thinking mode, it lacks the deeper reasoning capabilities that characterize slow thinking. If we assume that true intelligence requires the seamless integration of both modes, it becomes apparent that current AI technologies are insufficient. To bridge this gap, a new approach is required to reproduce the slow, logical and analytical thinking characteristic of human reasoning.

The ‘why’ of causal AI

Causal AI, an emerging field that focuses on creating machines with the ability to understand and reason about cause-and-effect relationships, is one technology that can start to fill the gap. Unlike traditional AI approaches that rely on correlations and patterns, causal AI aims to uncover the underlying causal structures that govern the world.

By learning cause-and-effect information from data and then using this to reason about the world, causal AI operates much more similarly to how humans think when they are thinking slowly. It allows AI to move beyond pattern recognition and delve into understanding the “why” behind the patterns.

One of the key advantages of causal AI is that it enables imagination, or counterfactual reasoning; the ability to ask “what if” questions and explore alternative scenarios. This is a crucial aspect of human decision-making currently lacking in today’s AI. For instance, in healthcare, a causal AI system could analyze patient data and generate counterfactuals to predict how a patient's health would have been different if they had received a different treatment or if certain risk factors were absent.

Causal AI can also help address the issue of bias in AI. By explicitly modelling the causal relationships between variables, causal AI can identify and mitigate spurious correlations and associations that may lead to biased predictions. For example, in the context of credit risk assessment, a causal AI system could distinguish between the true causal factors that influence creditworthiness and the spurious correlations that may arise due to historical biases in the data.

The future of enterprise decision-making

The critical challenge for enterprise decision-making is achieving “fast” thinking while ensuring proposed actions are grounded and optimum. Integrating genAI with causal AI facilitates rapid, intuitive analysis through the former while ensuring decisions are informed by the robust, methodical insights derived from the latter. With the application of causal AI, enterprises can address any cause-and-effect challenge. The confluence of causal AI and genAI offers enterprises the dual advantages of speed and accuracy, enabling them to navigate complex decisions confidently and at pace.

Consider the scenario where a retail industry leader seeks to evaluate the effects of a pricing adjustment on sales volume and its consequent impact on the supply chain. Traditional methods involve extensive analysis across various platforms and dashboards. However, with the combined power of genAI and causal AI, the same executive can input this query into an LLM, which then applies advanced pricing and supply chain causal models to deliver insightful analysis. This approach not only elucidates the direct consequences of past actions but also allows for exploring future scenarios, facilitating strategic planning and decision-making.

The collaboration between genAI and causal AI enriches the decision-making process with the capability for natural language queries and responses alongside detailed, comprehensible text-based explanations. This integration is instrumental in investigating and understanding cause-and-effect relationships, thus empowering businesses with a framework for reliable, scalable and explainable decision-making strategies. Enhancing genAI with causal AI heralds a revolution in enterprise decision-making, combining rapid analytical capabilities and deep causal understanding.

In response to the uncertainties surrounding generative AI and the need for robust AI governance frameworks to ensure responsible and beneficial outcomes for all, the Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) has launched the AI Governance Alliance .

The Alliance will unite industry leaders, governments, academic institutions, and civil society organizations to champion responsible global design and release of transparent and inclusive AI systems.

GenAI lacks the necessary grounding for decision-making use cases across the enterprise. By embracing causal reasoning and its potential to enable logical (slow) thinking in AI systems, the number of use cases to which enterprises can apply AI will significantly increase. While AGI will need more than this, causal AI is a step in the right direction.

Don't miss any update on this topic

Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.

License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

The Agenda .chakra .wef-n7bacu{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-weight:400;} Weekly

A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda

.chakra .wef-1dtnjt5{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;} More on Artificial Intelligence .chakra .wef-17xejub{-webkit-flex:1;-ms-flex:1;flex:1;justify-self:stretch;-webkit-align-self:stretch;-ms-flex-item-align:stretch;align-self:stretch;} .chakra .wef-nr1rr4{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;white-space:normal;vertical-align:middle;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:0.75rem;border-radius:0.25rem;font-weight:700;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;line-height:1.2;-webkit-letter-spacing:1.25px;-moz-letter-spacing:1.25px;-ms-letter-spacing:1.25px;letter-spacing:1.25px;background:none;padding:0px;color:#B3B3B3;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;}@media screen and (min-width:37.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:0.875rem;}}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:1rem;}} See all

How to build the skills needed for the age of AI

Juliana Guaqueta Ospina

April 11, 2024

These are the 4 skills to look for when building an AI governance team

Allan Millington

April 10, 2024

UN and EU both agree new AI rules, and other digital technology stories you need to know

April 8, 2024

AI vs Art: Will AI help or hinder human expression?

Robin Pomeroy and Sophia Akram

Weekend Reads: Funding AI’s future, imperfect environmentalists and Jane Goodall’s lessons on hope

Linda Lacina

April 5, 2024

To fully appreciate AI expectations, look to the trillions being invested

John Letzing

April 3, 2024

World's Oldest Conjoined Twins Lori and George Schappell Dead at 62

Rock Into The Weekend With These Celeb Selfies With The Coachella Ferris Wheel!

'Golden Bachelor' Star Theresa Nist's Job Was Factor in Divorce from Gerry Turner

Trendy Coachella Celebs Rockin' Braided Hair, Don't Care!

Kris Jenner Sister Karen Houghton's Cause of Death Revealed

'golden bachelor' gerry turner officially files to divorce theresa nist, 'golden bachelor' gerry turner files to divorce theresa nist ... hours after split reveal.

"The Golden Bachelor" star Gerry Turner is officially on the path to divorce from Theresa Nist -- he wasted no time filing, doing so mere hours after announcing their split.

TMZ has obtained the divorce papers ... Gerry filed them Friday morning in his hometown of Petersburg, Indiana, and cites an "irretrievable breakdown" of the marriage as the reason for them breaking up.

Gerry says they have a prenup ... so it should be a fairly quick divorce -- plus, they've only been married since the show ended back in January.

As we reported, the newlyweds announced they were divorcing Friday on "Good Morning America" ... telling Juju Chang it was in the best interest of their overall happiness to live apart.

FWIW, they said they really tried to make it work .. even house hunting together near Theresa in New Jersey and in South Carolina, which they saw as a neutral spot where they might be able to put down roots.

It's a pretty shocking split, to say the least, especially since they got married in a big, lavish televised wedding special.

The pair originally hit it off during season 1 of the popular dating reality show last fall.

• Share on Facebook

related articles

'Golden Bachelor' Gerry & Theresa Cuddle Up Amid Separate Lives Revelation

'Golden Bachelor' Stars Gerry Turner, Wife Theresa Nist Living Separately

Old news is old news be first.

What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

It almost time! Millions of Americans across the country Monday are preparing to witness the once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse as it passes over portions of Mexico, the United States and Canada.

It's a sight to behold and people have now long been eagerly awaiting what will be their only chance until 2044 to witness totality, whereby the moon will completely block the sun's disc, ushering in uncharacteristic darkness.

That being said, many are curious on what makes the solar eclipse special and how is it different from a lunar eclipse.

The total solar eclipse is today: Get the latest forecast and everything you need to know

What is an eclipse?

An eclipse occurs when any celestial object like a moon or a planet passes between two other bodies, obscuring the view of objects like the sun, according to NASA .

What is a solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes in between the Earth and the sun, blocking its light from reaching our planet, leading to a period of darkness lasting several minutes. The resulting "totality," whereby observers can see the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, known as the corona, presents a spectacular sight for viewers and confuses animals – causing nocturnal creatures to stir and bird and insects to fall silent.

Partial eclipses, when some part of the sun remains visible, are the most common, making total eclipses a rare sight.

What is a lunar eclipse?

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon and the sun are on exact opposite sides of Earth. When this happens, Earth blocks the sunlight that normally reaches the moon. Instead of that sunlight hitting the moon’s surface, Earth's shadow falls on it.

Lunar eclipses are often also referred to the "blood moon" because when the Earth's shadow covers the moon, it often produces a red color. The coloration happens because a bit of reddish sunlight still reaches the moon's surface, even though it's in Earth's shadow.

Difference between lunar eclipse and solar eclipse

The major difference between the two eclipses is in the positioning of the sun, the moon and the Earth and the longevity of the phenomenon, according to NASA.

A lunar eclipse can last for a few hours, while a solar eclipse lasts only a few minutes. Solar eclipses also rarely occur, while lunar eclipses are comparatively more frequent. While at least two partial lunar eclipses happen every year, total lunar eclipses are still rare, says NASA.

Another major difference between the two is that for lunar eclipses, no special glasses or gizmos are needed to view the spectacle and one can directly stare at the moon. However, for solar eclipses, it is pertinent to wear proper viewing glasses and take the necessary safety precautions because the powerful rays of the sun can burn and damage your retinas.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta, Doyle Rice, USA TODAY