How Revolutionary Was The American Revolution Dbq

The American Revolution is arguably the turning point of American history as it resulted in somewhat of a significant, positive change in politics, economics, and society as a whole. However, from 1775 to 1800, the effects of the revolution on the American society were subtle as most principles glorified by revolutionists contradicted the examples set forth by colonial reality. Perhaps most alike to revolutionary beliefs was the American economy and how it participated in free trade or encouraged the independence of hard labor. Politically, the states did apply Enlightenment and republican ideas as promised, but more often than not, the benefits of such ideas were limited to rich, land-owning, protestant, white men. This glorification of

A key factor in furthering the economic independence of the states was the expansion west of the Mississippi River and Great Lakes after the end of the Revolution. Officially dissolving the Proclamation Line of 1763 at the end of the war allowed the creation of new territories and the facilitation of new trade routes along the formerly unexplored western rivers. While this commerce and market based economy gradually bloomed, the old agriculture based economy centered around the fruits of hard labor continued to thrive. For example, in Document F a hardworking farmer observed by an approving, and possibly heavenly, figure. This medal thus shows the belief that through hard labor one would surely achieve success and presented an independent farmer as the economic ideal. These different views on the economic future of America are a considerably positive change, but would soon come to bleed into the political development of the states, for better or for

On one hand the fledgling government strived to apply considerably fair republican and Enlightenment ideas to the new system. Through this strong belief in the natural rights of life, liberty, and property, the colonists were able to unite and connect under one American identity. No longer did they identify with the despicable British, the colonists were now free, American men ready to reap , as stated in Document B, “the sweets of independence.” People were ready for the new promise of equality, with no all-powerful aristocracy or church to govern the day to day lives of the common. For example, Document D describes the freedom of religion in Virginia and thus showing a moderate progression toward the separation of church and state. Republican ideas on the consent of the governed were also embraced and exemplified through the limitation of the government. As seen in both Document I and the Bill of Rights, at least the idea to limit the government to prevent any abuses of power against the people was taken into account. However, on the other hand, politics, in a way, didn’t change after the war as well. Even after the war and the propagation of egalitarian ideas, only rich, protestant, land-owning, white men participated, if not dominated, politics. In the post-revolution confederacy, it was only rich, white men who could and did occupy positions of political power, and more often