Societal Changes During the American Revolution

Sep 16, 2024

Lecture Notes: The Revolution Within

Recap of Chapter 5: The American Revolution

  • End of Seven Years' War left Britain in debt.
  • Imposition of taxes on colonies (e.g., Stamp Act of 1765).
  • Battles of Lexington and Concord marked the beginning of the American Revolution.
  • Treaty of Paris granted American independence.

Overview of Chapter 6

  • Focus on societal changes during the American Revolution.
  • American Revolution as multiple revolutions:
    • Fight for national independence.
    • Fight for ideals and the nature of the new nation.
    • Question of liberty: "Liberty for whom?"
  • Concepts of liberty: innate vs. based on financial stake.

Revolution in Pennsylvania

  • Pre-war elite opposed independence, fearing "the rabble."
  • Post-independence rise of pro-independence factions (artisans, lower class).
  • Pennsylvania's liberal constitution:
    • No property qualifications for voting.
    • Low fee schools in each county.
    • Freedoms of speech, writing, and religion.
  • Varied state constitutions: all must be republics (authority from the governed).

Thoughts on Government by John Adams (1776)

  • Advocated for balanced governments with a two-house system.

Voting Rights

  • Expansion of suffrage for white men; property qualifications removed.
  • Northern states vs. Southern states in democratization of voting.
  • Vermont as an example with no property or financial qualifications.

Separation of Church and State

  • Post-revolutionary America saw a growth in religious freedom.
  • Anti-Catholic sentiment weakened due to France's aid.
  • Founders’ views varied: some were deists, advocating separation to avoid religious conflicts.
  • Thomas Jefferson's "Bill for Establishing Religious Liberty" (1786).

Slavery and Liberty

  • Loyalists post-war and their experiences.
  • Slavery's centrality in Southern economy and impact on societal hierarchy.
  • Enslaved Africans’ petitions for freedom and escapes to British lines during the war.
  • Voluntary emancipations in the North were slow and rare.
  • Free Black communities grew post-revolution.

Women's Role

  • Abigail Adams and women’s influence during the Revolution.
  • Women formed associations for support, disguised as soldiers.
  • Republican Motherhood: women's role in educating future citizens.
  • Coverture remained, limiting women’s legal identities.

Conclusion and Transition to Chapter 7

  • Chapter 7 will focus on the formation of the national government and its constitution.

These notes capture the key points from Professor Daniel's lecture on the societal transformations during the American Revolution, as discussed in Chapter 6 of the course textbook.