Was our separation from Great Britain a wise or an unwise step? It is impossible to answer a question of this sort with certainty. We assume that it was wise and beneficial. But to determine that, it would be necessary to roll history back, to let us remain a part of Great Britain, and then compare the two conditions. It has been argued that if we had remained a part of the British Empire the democratic spirit of the colonies would have been a great help to the democratic element in Great Britain, that these elements co-operating would have democratized and federated all the English-speaking peoples, which, in turn, would have aided in democratizing the world. Such an idea cannot be upheld with assurance, but neither can one say dogmatically that the American Revolution resulting in our separation was for the best. We use the terms "freedom" and "independence" in too loose a sense when we say that we then gained our freedom or independence. Would the South have been free and independent if it had been the winning faction in the Civil War? Secession or the changing of national boundaries does not give freedom. Canada is free although a part of the British Commonwealth; Texas is free although a part of the United States. BIBLIOGRAPHY Faulkner, Harold Underwood--_American Economic History_, pages 137-139. Hayes, C. J. H.--_Political and Social History of Modern Europe_. Vol. I, chapter 10. Hockett, H. C.--_Political and Social History of United States_. Vol. I, chapters 5, 6, 7, 8. Lecky, E. H.--_The American Revolution_. Muzzey, D. S.--_The United States of America Through the Civil War_. Vol. I, chapter 2. Schlesinger, A. M.--_New Viewpoints in American History_. Chapter 7. Simons, A. M.--_Social Forces in American History_. Chapters 6 and 7. CHAPTER III THE WAR OF 1812 There were two different causes of the war with Great Britain in 1812, and it is necessary to examine each separately. These causes were maritime rights and land hunger. The general European upheaval from 1789 to 1815, known as the French Revolution, soon developed into a war between Great Britain and Napoleon. All Europe was divided into two camps, with Great Britain and Napoleon as the leaders on their respective sides. Almost a decade before 1812 Great Britain began issuing decrees known as Orders in Council. These "Orders in Council," issued in the name of the king, attempted to prohibit neutral nations from shipping goods to France. In this manner, a blockade was proclaimed against France, and ships attempting to get through the lines were subject to capture and confiscation.