The rise of the public sphere and public opinion.
The growth of a print culture and literary market - newspapers etc, the multiplier effect.
The rise of coffee houses, clubs, social gatherings. The voice of the street
The breakdown of absolutist politics.
Answer:
The American colonies joined together to become a new country
Westward expansion was a natural progression for the nation because the most powerful entities came from the East (England). It is only natural that they spread out and conquer/capture/kill/annihilate those in their way (the true Americans/Native Americans). In doing so they conquered a whole land and taught them their ways while spreading West.
Americans were angered by Britain's practice of impressment because it made fun of the American soldiers and thus the war of 1812 was sprouted.
