Was the American Revolution Revolutionary?
The American Revolution was the most radical event in the history of America
Thesis: The revolution brought about radical ideas and changes in American society about egalitarianism.
Supporting Arguments: The American Revolution created the written constitution. It was the first modern document to espouse ideals of egalitarianism and is the most enduring example of democracy in the world.
The Revolution resulted in the creation of an independent nation; British colonists became American citizens.
The Revolutionary War gave birth to ideas about voting rights for more people, and raised debates about the roles of women and slaves.
The Revolution was conservative in the sense that it maintained social, economic, and for the most part, political continuity.
Thesis: A true social revolution destroys the institutional foundations of the old order and transfers power from a ruling elite to new social groups
Supporting Arguments: Political authority for the most part remained in the hands of the same men who started the Revolution. They entrenched their positions of power and gained economic rewards for declaring independence.
Although there were challenges raised about white male authority, women and slaves were not given any rights under the Constitution.
Wealth was distributed much the same before as after the American Revolution, class distinctions remained the same.
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The following passages are excerpts from Revolutionary Era documents. Read them carefully and consider them in the context of the above historians arguments.
“MANKIND being originally equals in the order of creation, the equality could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstance; the distinctions of rich, and poor, may in a great measure be accounted for... But there is another and greater distinction for which no truly natural or religious reason can be assigned, and that is, the distinction of men into KINGS and SUBJECTS.” Thomas Paine in Common Sense 1776
“I long to hear that you have declared an independancy [sic]-and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I would desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.” Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 31, 1776
“[we,] by the authority of the good people of these states, reject and renounce the allegiance and subjection to the kinds of Great Britain … we utterly dissolve and break off all political connection which may have heretofore subsisted between us and the people or parliament of Great Britain; and finally we do assert and declare these colonies to be free and independent states…for the support of this declaration we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.” The rough draft of the Declaration of Independence 28 June, 1776
“Conceiving that an individual independence of the States is utterly irreconcilable with their aggregate sovereignty, and that a consolidation of the whole into one simple republic would be as inexpedient as it is unattainable. I have sought for some middle ground...” James Madison to George Washington, April 16, 1787
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Name: ______
Revolution: noun - a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving; an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another.
Based on the historical arguments and primary sources you just read, write a paragraph or two as to whether you think the American Revolution was truly Revolutionary. Be sure to support why you think the way you do. You can use the back of this page if you need more room.
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