S7 E5: A New Thing in Human History
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The Economic Motivations Behind the American Revolution and its Impact on the US Economy
The chapter explores the economic perspectives of American revolutionaries, revealing their desire to maintain profitable ventures like land ownership and slavery after breaking away from Britain. It discusses how frustrations over British government restrictions on profit-making opportunities led to the decision to revolt, with a focus on the historical context of post-French and Indian War actions and the motivations of figures like George Washington. The narrative moves on to the economic underpinnings of the US Constitution and the subsequent shift towards capitalism with the rise of the Industrial Revolution, particularly examining the impact of cotton production on the nation's economy leading up to and following the Civil War.
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