If you are new to American history, you will hear two words, confederate and American colonist. Both of these are different groups of people.
The American colonist was primarily English, Dutch, and French settlers who arrived in the American colonies beginning in 1607. They were the individuals who fought for the independence of America in the American Revolution from Great Britain. On the other hand, the Confederates were part of the southern United States. In 1861, they fought against the northern states of the union in what is known as the American Civil War.
Table of Contents
- American Colonists Vs. American Confederates – Differences
- American Revolution Vs. American Civil War – Differences
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Questions
American Colonists Vs. American Confederates – Differences
The American colonist and American Confederates had many differences that distinguished them from each other. These groups of individuals did not live at the same time and were in two very different wars.
Who Are The American Colonists?
American colonists were primarily British, Dutch, and French settlers who arrived in the American colonies in 1607. These were essentially the group of individuals who came to America from Europe.
The American Revolution began in 1775 and was fought by these American colonists against the Kingdom of Great Britain for independence from British rule of the American continent. These early American colonists are considered to be part of America’s founding fathers.
The American colonists were mainly a mix of English, Dutch and French settlers who established colonies in the American continent from 1607 onwards. The American Revolution began when the American colonists fought against Great Britain for independence from British rule.
When the American colonist won their independence in 1776, it eventually led to the formation of the United States of America in 1783 with the official signing of the Treaty of Paris. The Treaty of Paris, was formally signed on September 3, 1783; it was a treaty between the American colonies and Great Britain. This treaty signified the American Revolution’s end and formally recognized the United States as an independent nation.
Who Are The American Confederates?
On the other hand, the Confederate States of America (CSA) was formed in 1861 as a union of 11 southern American states. Initially, the Confederate States succeeded the United States in preserving their rights to maintain slavery and hold onto the pro-slave policies.
Because of the confederate southern states succeeding from the United States, the American Civil War broke out in 1861. The American southern Confederate states clashed with the Northern Union forces during this Civil War.
Great Britain was not officially involved in the American Civil War and remained neutral. It legally did recognize the Confederate States of America (CSA) but never recognized it as a nation and neither signed a treaty with it nor ever exchanged ambassadors. But the fact that it did recognize the confederate states made many feel that Britain supported them and was pro-slavery.
The American confederate states had their flag, known as a confederate flag. Today you can still see some people using the symbol of this flag in some parts of the United States, especially in the southern United States. For many, the United States Confederate flag signifies oppression and slavery; for others, it symbolizes the now-defunct Confederate States of America.
American Revolution Vs. American Civil War – Differences
The main differences between the American colonist and the Confederates have to do with two wars that America fought, on American soil, in two different periods; the first was the American Revolution and the second of the American Civil War.
What Is The American Revolution?
The American Revolution, also known as the American War of Independence, was a political and military conflict between Great Britain and the thirteen American colonies. This conflict began in 1775 when American Patriots began fighting against British forces for their independence from the British Empire and British rule.
This War was brought by the American colonist against the British Empire and was a backlash to British rule. The prominent figures who played a part in the American revolution included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry.
The War was fought over the American colonist resentment of the taxation that Britain was placing on the American colonies. And also the fact that Britain did not recognize the struggle for American autonomy and sovereignty from Great Britain.
The War started in 1775 and officially ended in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris when Great Britain finally recognized America as a separate and sovereign nation.
The American Revolution was a significant turning point in American history. It led to the American Constitution, the American Bill of Rights, and the creation of the United States of America; all of these continue to remain central to American democracy.
The American Revolution was one of the first significant steps toward democracy for many countries worldwide. It is regarded as one of the most critical moments in history that changed the face of modern democracy. Because the American revolution was about fighting the oppression of foreign powers, it helped change the face of the world and show the world that democracy was possible.
What Is The American Civil War?
The American Civil War began on April 12, 1861, and ended on April 9, 1865. It was a conflict between the United States of America, also known as the Union, and the 11 southern states that declared succession from the union or formed the Confederate States of America. The Civil War was a war that was fought between the southern Confederates and the Unionists in the north.
The American Civil War is arguably one of US history’s most divisive and bloody events. There were over 620,000 casualties. The Civil War forever reshaped American politics, economics, culture, and society.
The Civil War was fought over many complex issues, including politics, state rights, slavery, and regionalism. The central conflict arose with the succession of the southern states that succeeded the United States to continue to preserve the economic interest based on the institution of slavery.
The Union, also in the northern part of the United States, refused to allow any state to leave the United States. President Abraham Lincoln declared it a rebellion, sending federal troops to the Confederate States to force them back into the Union or the United States.
The southern states refused to come back into the United States; the Civil War started with the southern states fighting for their independence and the northern states not wanting them to be independent.
The Civil War was marked by some groundbreaking events, including the 1863 president Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which essentially declared that all slaves in the confederate states were free. Even after this proclamation, the War continued for two more years.
In 1865 General Robert E Lee of the Confederate States of America surrendered to Ulysses S Grant. This effectively ended the Civil War and led to the final resolution and the withdrawal of Federal troops from the southern states.
The Civil War had a transformative effect on the United States. Because of the Civil War, slavery was abolished; because of the Civil War, America’s political landscape was forever changed.
The Civil War also shifted America’s economy from an agricultural economy in the south to a more industrial economy. It established the principle of the Federal government’s supremacy over states’ rights.
The American colonists were the individuals fighting for American freedom from Great Britain. The Confederates were the southern states fighting against the Unionists in the American Civil War. Both of these wars forever changed the landscape of America.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the American colonists?
The American colonists were primarily English, Dutch, and French settlers who arrived in the American colonies starting in 1607.
What was the American Revolution?
The American Revolution was a war fought by the American colonists against Great Britain from 1775 to 1783. It resulted in the independence of the United States.
What were the main causes of the American Revolution?
The main causes of the American Revolution included issues such as taxation without representation, restrictions on trade, and the desire for greater political and economic independence.
Who were the Confederates?
The Confederates were part of the southern United States during the American Civil War. They seceded from the Union in 1861 and formed the Confederate States of America.
What was the American Civil War?
The American Civil War was a conflict fought between the northern states (the Union) and the southern states (the Confederacy) from 1861 to 1865 over issues including slavery, states’ rights, and the preservation of the Union.
What were the key events leading up to the American Civil War?
Key events leading up to the American Civil War included the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, the Dred Scott decision, and the election of Abraham Lincoln.
What were the motivations of the Confederates in the Civil War?
The Confederates fought in the American Civil War primarily to protect their states’ rights and preserve the institution of slavery, which was an integral part of their economy and society.
How did the American Revolution impact the development of the United States?
The American Revolution led to the establishment of the United States as an independent nation and laid the foundation for democratic principles and institutions that shape the country to this day.
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