@NormZauchin
In terms of global knock-on effects, the American Revolution is undoubtedly huge - especially from the present-day perspective. The colossal size of the American industrial base, plus the USA's population advantages over most other countries, were huge in determining the outcomes of both World Wars. Globalisation during the last 40 years has been based around American hegemony and the end of the Cold War, which has created many advantages for British 'soft power' in alliance with American economic dominance.
So no arguments from me there, I can promise you that.
But the American Revolution itself is actually a fairly minor part of our history. Bear in mind that it was the United States' growth (both territorially and industrially) during the 19th and 20th centuries, as an independent nation, that has made America what it is today - not the 13 colonies that broke off from Britain in the late 18th century.
From a European perspective, Britain was at war with France on and off for several centuries. We were a minor European power until the late 17th century, when we began to develop into an important mercantile trading nation, and we adopted a diplomatic position which saw us maintain the balance of power in Europe (which is code for us joining whichever side suited us). In the mid-18th century, we fought the Seven Years' War with France, including in the North American theatre (the French and Indian Wars) where George Washington fought on behalf of Britain. We won, crippling the French navy in the process, and France gave us modern-day Quebec. This was effectively the start of the rise of the British Empire to world domination.
Obviously the American colonies broke off soon after, and Britain turned its attention to Africa and Asia. But the loss of the American colonies did lead to the fall of the government of the time.
During the same period, India was 'the jewel in the crown' of British colonies, producing huge incomes for Britain, and in the 19th century we were a leading part of the race to colonise Africa - discovering huge mineral deposits. India and Africa played huge roles in subsidising our naval dominance over the other European powers.
The early 19th century was dominated by the Napoleonic Wars, during which it was genuinely feared that Britain would be invaded by French forces. Eventually Napoleon was defeated at Trafalgar (at sea), and on land at Waterloo. This led to a century-long period of British hegemony (1815-1914), during which Britain and its global possessions (India, Canada, Egypt, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, various Caribbean colonies) cemented our role as the world superpower of the 19th century. During this period we controlled all sea-based trade through the Royal Navy, there were no global conflicts (
Pax Britannica) and the few regional conflicts were land-based only.
This all came to an end with World War One breaking out in 1914, which absolutely crippled the European empires (World War Two was the metaphorical coup de grace) and created a vacuum that the United States filled, over a period of roughly 30 years. By the end, America was transformed from an isolationist industrial power and became the military & economic leader of the Western world - which links back to my first paragraph.
I've written way too much but hopefully it'll be interesting and the mods won't just delete it - I assume this thread is basically dead for all intents and purposes anyway. Erm...go Pats?!
