The Causes of War

About the lecture

In this module, we look at the causes of the American War of Independence, focusing in particular on: (i) why the collapse of the British Empire was not exceptional; (ii) was the American War of Independence inevitable?; (iii) who caused the conflict that escalated to become the American War of Independence?; (iv) divisions within America, and the American War of Independence as a Civil War; and (v) the British response to early tensions in the Thirteen Colonies.

About the lecturer

Professor Jeremy Black is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Exeter. He is the author of over 180 books, principally but not exclusively on 18th-century British politics and international relations, and has been described as "the most prolific historical scholar of our age". He has also broadened his perspective, both temporally and geographically, and published on the history of the press, cartography, warfare, culture and on the nature and uses of history itself.