Impact of Revolution on women and slavery Essay

During the American Revolution, not only did men have to face the struggles of war time atmosphere, but women had to as well. The country during the war was divided into three different groups of people; the loyalists, the patriots and the remaining people who did not care. Catherine Van Cortlandt, a loyalist had to endure different struggles then the patriot women Eliza Pinckney and Abigail Adams. However, parts of their stories are similar when it came to their family struggles.

The American Revolution changed American politically by allowing the people to be governed by representation, a central government, and a state government. Americans wanted a government different from the one of England so they created their own. Document I, informs us from a Federalists point of view that abuses of government must be controlled, the need of control of

The American Revolution was an important sequence of events over a period of time that has affected early American society up to today’s modern society. It all started with the Revolutionary War, which led to the Declaration of Independence from Britain, and in turn created a reason for America to write the Constitution and develop their own government. Ideas of equality became a major point of the Revolution, and although it wasn’t very quick to happen, ideas eventually spread throughout the colonies, giving the equality that poor to middle classes, African American slaves, and women deserved.

Women generally did not fight in the revolution, and the traditional status of Eighteenth Century women meant that they were not publicly able to participate fully in the debates over the revolution. However, in their own sphere, and sometimes out of it, woman participated fully in the revolution in all the ways that their status and custom allowed.

For the institution of slavery, the American Revolution meant that it would soon be against the law and not allowed in any part of America. The North abolished slavery and still was fighting hard to abolish it in the South.

The American Revolution, which happened during the last half of the eighteenth century, reshaped many aspects of life in America. The desire of the Founding Fathers to make America a republic played a very significant part in changing the role of women after the Revolution. The role of women as wives became more important as an emphasis on virtue was established; women were encouraged to find virtuous husbands and utilize their seductive nature to keep men virtuous. The roles of women as mothers also became more important in the republic, as patriarchy loosened and mothers were depended on to educate their children in the republican way. And finally, the role of women in politics was theoretically reduced due to the increasing demands of

The American Revolution was tremendously revolutionary in the sense that it completely changed the culture and way of thinking of the American people. The changes occurred in the way of thinking, religion, feelings about slavery, and the country itself. Although the American Revolution technically ended in 1783, there was a social and political revolution occurring for a long period afterward. After the Revolution, Americans shifted from a British colonist way of thought to a purely American one. This change shaped America and made it what it is today.

In document M, Abigail Adams, letter to her husband John Adams she speaks about how the new laws should grant women power in society, that they should favor women, and consist of more aspects that will benefit all women. She goes on to say if these requirements are failed to be met then they will have no choice but to hold a rebellion because they refuse to be bound by laws that they have no power or representation under. Abigail Adams wrote, “... in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them then your ancestors “…. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment” a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves back by any laws in which we have no voice or representation”(The Book of Abigail and John). This quotation confirms that the American revolution was conservative because women were still being oppressed.

Women started getting more work and higher positions during the Revolution. Women depicted in patriotic images holding rifles and gunpowder depicted this (Document A). This showed that women played important roles in society by fighting along with them in the Revolution. However, a life dedicated to housework was not favored after the revolution and it is seen by Molly Wallace who states, “if [we are taught] to read, why not speak?” (Document J). This illustrates that women were not content with their domestic roles and wanted to do and contribute more to society. However, full women suffrage was not given until many years later. The Native American’s position in society also changed as after the Revolution there was a desire expressed by the Chickasaw and Americans to be brothers (Document C). In regard to slaves there was much change in society through America. After the revolution, in the North many slaves were set free but in the South slaves would not be freed until the Civil War. According to the Northwest Ordinance in 1787, “There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in said territory” (Document H). This displays that peoples mindset regarding slavery started changing dramatically. The Loyalists also went through much change in society. After the revolution they were hated and in Pennsylvania Packet, it is said “Never let [the

Slavery was banned from the north which had a big effect to the slaves after the Revolutionary war. The American society was fundamentally changed after the American Revolution due to the approval of the constitution, recognizing the weakness of the their first constitution; the articles of confederation women having more of an impact in society, and agriculture being the key to success. Politically: Topic Sentence: The colonists fighted for the victory of the American Revolution, so they could declare their independence and change the society of americans positively. The Revolution helped the founder of America discover fundamentally how society would be shaped .

After the course of the American Revolution society became more aware of changes within the household including the positions of women, slaves treatment, and the battles within the power of the government. People began to protest more freedoms because of the creation of the Bill of Rights which led to more support groups with the people because they realized that there was a problem within the government. With people gaining more right that gave more of a voice to minority groups such as slaves which would also lead to them being counted for in the government. With more people striving for a voice within society this lead to the creation of jobs and a boost in the economy.

In the years from 1600 to 1783 the thirteen colonies in North America were introduced to slavery and underwent the American Revolutionary War. Colonization of the New World by Europeans during the seventeenth century resulted in a great expansion of slavery, which later became the most common form of labor in the colonies. According to Peter Kolchin, modern Western slavery was a product of European expansion and was predominantly a system of labor. Even with the introduction of slavery to the New World, life still wasn’t as smooth as we may presume. Although the early American colonists found it perfectly fine to enslave an entire race of people, they

As the slave population in the United States of America grew to 500,000 in 1176, documenting slavery as part of the American Revolution became increasingly important. America was rooted in slavery; and it contributed to the economy and social structure. The revolution forced citizens of the new nation to be conscious of slavery and its potential dismissal from every day life. Two articles that prove slavery only succeeded because of the false reality that slave owners created and the conformity to this reality by slaves are; George Fitzhugh who defends the proslavery argument and Frederick Douglass who supports a desire for freedom.

Adams once stated in a letter to her husband, “If we mean to have heroes, statesmen, and philosophers, we should have learned women” (Taylor). Many people think women are not supposed to be able to do the things men can do, but little do they know women have played a major role in making the United States. During the eight years of the Revolutionary War women played an essential role. Women were essential to American victory in the Revolutionary War because they worked as spies, nurses, and aided in battle.

Women's Roles in the Revolution I. Women's Roles in the Revolution      A. Family Enterprises           1. Women took over           2. Succeeded Despite                a. inflation                b. British Occupancy                c.