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Social, Economic, And Political Changes The Country Essay

¶ … social, economic, and political changes the country as experienced since 1783 are fulfilling the promises of the Revolution? The American revolutionary war is one of the most significant events in the history of today's United States of America. It involved a war between the American colonies and Great Britain. This great historical event took place in the years 1775 to 1783 and led to the formation of United States of America. Conflicts leading to the war of independence arose from the tension between the 13 colonies of North America's residents and the Britain colonial government. The tensions leading to the America's independence war emerged from attempts by British government to raise revenue by taxing her colonies.

Discussion

The war with Great Britain created awareness to Americans and pushed the nation into the search for a new and long-lasting society based on equality, liberty and independent ideas. Following the war of independence, American had to rebuild itself politically, socially and economically. Among the earliest changes that started to occur in the society after the revolution was equality of all people. People demanded equal representation in all sectors of society. All people fought the war that led to independence: men, women, farmers, day labors, and enlisted soldiers (Frank 1). Abolition of slavery, religious freedom and equal governance by all were among the major issues that the new society was advocating. Women also demanded equal rights to men. They demanded equal voting rights and their right to formal education. The early society perceived women to be home keepers and servants of the men dominated society.

Social changes after revolution

The impacts of the revolution in the society of America were in the form of demands for changes in the social structures and perceptions of people. Antislavery campaign advocated for the abolition of practice and human bondage. Antislavery societies formed from 1775 and created awareness of the need and importance to stop slavery. The revolution climate made the institution of slavery unacceptable in the minds of many people in both South and North America. Many slaves obtained their independence through the revolutionary war and to the American south. The revolutionary war also led to the burning of importation of slaves in 1807. The revolutionary war led to a revolution in social laws. Depressing English laws as land inheritance to the eldest son had no space in the new American society. This land law kept land in the hands of few wealthy individuals and majority low class people could not own it. The abolition of this law led to the division of huge tracts of land to many landless people after the revolution (Frank 3).

Struggles for the separation of the church from the state also started after the revolution. People were no longer willing to support the Church of England with tax dollars. The Anglican Church in America had to separate itself from the Church of England. By 1833, all states in America abandoned the practices of State-supported church. Women in the new society advocated for their rights. They demanded a rewriting of the laws to criminalize wife beating and extension of properties to women after marriage. Women also demanded access to formal education like men in the society. Women fought against male chauvinism and dominance in all social aspects of society. They also advocated for a free religion and independence of mind. Women were no longer to be house makers alone; they attained freedom of speech and public representation. They demanded the expression of ideas and talents just like their male counterparts in the society. Although women had advocated for their rights after the revolution, there is no clear record as to whether the revolution had a positive or negative impact on women.

Political changes after revolution

After the independence from Britain, America had to write its own constitution that could guide and govern the nation. Each state developed their own constitution but with many similarities. The political ideals...

From the changes advocated by the constitution, women became more aggressive in demanding their rights. Equal in representation the minority was demanded by activists especially women and lower class citizens. More women were educated through the establishment of female academies and the idea of 'republican motherhood'. Women and the poor in the society also express their political rights in voting and holding office (Frank 207).
People focused on the creation of a perfect government free of oppression and denial of rights. Talent and hard work were supposed to define an individual and not hereditary privilege as earlier advocated by the colonial government. According to Morton, the democratic era brought by the American Revolution has changed the perceptions many hold about the nature, philosophy and nature of government (2). The political revolution brought hope to the oppressed about a bright future where principles of liberty, freedom and equality will prevail. Political revolution and changes have also increased participation of people in the governance processes and bring the rule of law closer to the society. The political revolution upheld freedom of expression and participation in democratic governance.

Economic revolution

The revolutionary war led to the suffering of many Native Americans. They became settlers after the war looking for a place to start their community. Native American tribes already occupied most land. The settlers destroyed these native tribes to relocate themselves. Because of the war, continental congress found it difficult to pay the colonialist troops. They had to resort to selling of bonds to other governments to be able to pay the huge debts on their hands. Continental congress printed paper money, but it became too common, and its value dropped. This led to inflation and increase in the government debt. The revolution led to high costs of living as prices of goods and commodities doubled. Among the economic advantages of the revolution was the ability of the nation to trade more freely with other nations like France and Spain. Women also got involved in the economic activities of the society (Morton 39).

They participated in farms and management of businesses in the absence of their husbands. Resource allocation also improved, and many lower class people were empowered through ownership of land. The gap between the rich and the poor reduced significantly. Economic benefits if the revolution took a long time before realization. The biggest business partner to America was Britain, which had closed its boundaries, and no trade was taking place. This was a big blow to America as most of its traders had a ready market in Britain. Most American soldiers who participated in the war were injured or crippled. This affected the economy of many families in America (Morton 43). Taxation, introduced by the government in order to pay war veterans made the situation difficult for people. The revolutionary war had devastating economic impacts to some people and town in America. Boston, New York City and Philadelphia once filled, but after the war, there was a drastic fall in the population and economic activities.

Conclusion and summary

The revolutionary war brought independence and created a new nation. The war created similar revolts in many nations all over the world. The revolution has significantly changed America and its citizens. The revolution did not provide a solution to all its promises but planted a seed to many changes that could later be realized. The revolution has gone a long way to equalizing the society and providing equal opportunities to all people. Slavery did not stop after the revolution, but great steps were in place towards its abolition. Equal rights to women and the minority in the society also came gradually due to the many changes that had to be in place to initiate the required changes. The revolution was a significant step towards the attainment of political freedoms for Americans. The economy suffered a great depression due to…

Sources used in this document:
Works cited

Morton, C.J. The American Revolution. United States of America: Green wood press, 2003. Print

Frank, A. American Revolution: People and perspectives. California: ABC-CLIO, Inc. Print
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