Part A #1

The American Revolution started in 1775 with the Battle of Lexington, and continued for 8 years into 1783 when it ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The Revolution which was between a newly colonized America, and the mature British empire, was sure to leave America altered. For better or for worse America would come out of the Revolution transformed from their previous state. America did win the American Revolution, and departed with all features of their society changed, after the war political, social and economic aspects of American life were changed.

Previous to the American Revolution American politics were often interfered with by the British, even though the British were across the ocean they still had control over many government officials. In Document B from the Pennsylvania Packet in 1779 the Patriot Americans wanted the Loyalists gone,because having them in America was almost the same as being under British rule. However, even though many Patriot Americans disliked Loyalists who supported Britain, they still wanted to make a alliance with the Chickasaw Indians who had also supported the British during the revolution, as stated in Document C. Americans didn’t follow through with their the friendship between the Chickasaw Indians. In the Treaty of Paris, Chickasaw wasn’t included, as declared in Document E, Speech at the Confederate Council in 1786. Since the break from Britain’s rule America had to learn that they were in charge, and that any mistakes would be their fault, not Britain’s, the only people they could blame were themselves. The political aspect of America has been changed because once Americans began ruling themselves they had to learn quickly that not everyone would always be happy like the Chickasaw Indians when they weren’t included in the Treaty of Paris. As touched upon in Document I The Federalist , a working government must have the power to control its people, but also itself. To become a great government their must be punishment for both the governed and the government, and everyone must learn from their mistakes.

The social aspect of America was considerably changed when the American Revolution began. Since most of the Revolution took place right in America many colonists were directly affected by the war. Even the most unprepared had to produce the ability to fight. As depicted in Document A Woodcut of a Patriot women, the picture displays a women with a rifle in hand and a power horn, which carried gun powder. The picture suggests that women and others who were unlikely to be part of a war were, as the Revolution came everyone prepared, not just the men. After the war the advancement of women’s rights began, once women realized they could do the many of the same things men could, as they had proved during the war they began fighting for rights. Such as schooling, Document J a valedictory address by Molly Wallace argues for the right for all women to be schooled. After the war Americans begin to realize they to can make a difference, and fight for what is right just as America did against Britain. Americans after the war continued to fight for what they thought was just, Document D Statutes at Large of Virginia, a movement towards all men having the freedom to practice any religion they please. In 1791 the hard work paid off, and as set in the First amendment of the Bill of Rights, there would be freedom of religion to all. The America Revolution changed social America by providing drive to propel colonists into a new light, where they had the power to change anything they put their minds to.

Before the American Revolution had even begun the economics of American colonists were not too great. Boycotts of British goods put many merchants who sold products coming from Great Britain out of business. When the Revolution began many shops and homes were destroyed by British soldiers leaving many families poor and/or homeless. After the war to raise America’s economy, proposals for the advancement of farming began. Document F Medal of the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, the picture reveals a man plowing the field with a woman behind him holding the fruits of his labor in her hands. The purpose of the Promotion of Agriculture was to urge families into farming to progress America’s economy after the war. However, the taxes and debt that farmers were forced to pay didn’t help build the economy. Shay’s Rebellion was starting up, groups of farmers were rebelling in Massachusetts. America had just started out ruling itself, and there were clearly going to be some bumps along the way. As visible in Document G Letter from Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, there were some problems getting the economy of the ground after the American Revolution. Two main solutions that had been thrown around were paper currency and an equal distribution of property, but these two practical resolutions weren’t agreed on by all. The American Revolution had given freedom to American, but forced colonists to start over in a sense, by having to restart their economy, and get it running smoothly again.

In conclusion the American Revolution substantially changed all aspects of American life. Politics in America were on their own now, the government would have to fight its own wars with out the safety of falling back on Britain. The social feature of American life was changed throughout the war, causing everyone who was able to fight against the British. Economics in America were partially destroyed during the war, unaided by Britain Americans had to form ideas to rebuild the economy. The Revolution was a great success because America finally became free. Even so, it was almost as though America had climbed four steps for freedom, but got pushed down three for the aftermath.