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How Did The Revolutionary War Affect The Economy

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The outcome of the Revolutionary War was shocking to not only the British but to Americans. America had underwent a rocky war with one of the most powerful and richest countries on the planet and still came out on top. The shock of the Revolutionary War would be nothing compared to the shock of the changes in virtually every aspect of life in the colonies. Perhaps the biggest change brought about by the revolution was on the American political system. Nearly all political systems in the 1700s were exclusively for elite and upper class individuals. Political participation was at all time life since the number of people who could and wanted to vote was extremely low. This was no longer the case. While some elitism and superiority of politics …show more content…

By the end of the war, the country was $160 million dollars in debt, a suffocating amount at that time. There were several foreign and domestic causes for this. Because Britain was such a powerful country at the time, many other countries wearily ceased trade with America. Things weren't much better on the homefront. Since congress could not formally impose taxes on the states to help fund the war, they had to ask. This got them virtually nowhere since nearly no states had the money to help out. Since America had been a predominantly agricultural society, a farmer turning into a soldier damaged the economy even more. This left few skilled workers behind to feed said soldiers who were already lacking basic supplies and uniforms. (Shi, David E. Pg. 164) All of these things left the American economy in shambles and almost caused them to lose the war and their independence. During the American Revolution, the Americans faced the unique struggle of forging international diplomacy while searching for the foreign support it needed to fight Britain. France was the first place they turned. France was hesitant at first to support the colonies and only gave them a loan, in secret. It wasn't until after the British surrendered at the Battle of Saratoga that they sought out a full alliance. After this and until the end of the war, France provided supplies, arms, and soldiers to the states and were crucial in the British surrender at

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