To what extent did the American Revolution fundamentally change American society? In your answer, be sure to address the political, social, and economic effects of the Revolution in the period from 1775 to 1800?
From the first shots at the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775 to the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, the American Revolution fundamentally changed American society. Through economic, social, and political changes, the American society was altered drastically.
Even before the Treaty of Paris, American politicians and lawyers adopted the Articles of Confederation on November 15, 1777, with a unanimous ratification on March 1, 1781. Even before Britain acknowledged that the 13 colonies were an independent state, Congress established a government. However, the Articles of Confederation, written by Democratic-Republican John Dickinson, gave the individual states too much power and the central government too little. This did not give Congress, the sole “organ” of the central government, the power to enforce any national law. Furthermore, the national government had a problem with funding. Congress had no power to
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Although George Washington did not consider himself as a federalist, he backed Alexander Hamilton’s foreign relations and economic plan. As a result, economic relations with Britain grew stronger, especially through the Jay Treaty, and the perpetual alliance with France weakened. Hamilton, perhaps the most influential figure during the colonial 18th century, supported mercantilism. Hamilton also supported independent manufacturing. He even invested in making Hampton, New Jersey a manufacturing hub, which, however, did not work out. The American economy was altered dramatically by Hamilton’s 5 point economic plan which the US still uses today, through mercantilism and