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The American Revolution was a war between Great Britain and the American colonies fighting for freedom. To this day, it is the most impactful war that caused the beginning of American history. Big impacts changed America such as gaining independence and political power. It also impacted both slavery and the status of women from 1775 to 1800s. It gave African-American slaves the opportunity to escape suppression and join the army. It significantly affected the position of white women by shining a brighter light on them and giving them a role in society. The American Revolution took place causing vivid changes in the aspects of women and slavery and setting the stage for the first steps in women’s and slaves’ gaining independence. That is why it can definitely be considered revolutionary.
Before the revolution, women had little to no rights and an undesirable social status. Women were seen as ‘housekeepers’, not seen as unique persons, but as persons who were under the rights of their husbands. Therefore, among the ones whose lives started to change were women who for the first time had the opportunity to do something other than housework. During the war, women had to take on the roles of their husbands while they fought in the war. They stepped forward and made significant and empowering contributions. These duties included taking care of the plantation plus all the duties they normally performed. After the war, the rights of women weren’t drastic because they didn’t gain any legal or political rights. Although women did not have political equality, they made efforts to have their voices heard. For example, women like Abigail Adams and Molly Wallace had strong voices and ambitions for change. They worked very hard to get politicians to “remember the ladies”. The main things that changed for women were their property and power rights. These changes included their right to divorce men and their right to be viewed as a person of their own, instead of being part of their husband’s identity. They also called for more educational opportunities, they gave young girls and young women ‘female academies’ that helped reduce the literacy gap between men and women. Women also began playing a public role in society by performing patriotic activities and participating in boycotts of merchants who hoarded. Other than private discussions regarding public affairs, women did not participate politically. Therefore, women began to be viewed as people of their own, created a new way to educate younger girls, and introduced a new rhetoric of self-esteem for women. It is believed that because women participated in the American Revolution, it helped contribute to the developing role of republican motherhood, which assisted women with the duty of the moral training of their sons for citizenship and steered the growth of educational opportunities for women.
Slavery continued to be very common in American society during the late 18th century and was acknowledged as normal and even applauded and encouraged by many white Americans. Slaves were promised liberty for fighting the war. They fought for freedom just like women. When the war began, many slaves joined in hopes that they would be given their freedom to fight. Unfortunately for the slaves, there was never any intention of giving them new opportunities. They were used as extra support in the war. They were treated the same as slaves in captivity in the war. However, the slaves believed that they were fighting for freedom and continued to be loyal. They hoped the whites would give them this after the war, but as we know, it was not obtained. Although in the North, many states were beginning to abolish slavery and wanted to help the slaves gain their freedom. Many states and groups of people began to create anti-slavery societies, like the Quakers in 1775. In the North, a majority of the states abolished slavery, and if the slaves were able to get there, they would be granted their freedom. Since the slaves weren’t able to gain their freedom by fighting, they escaped during all of the chaos of the war and gained their freedom in that way. The fight for liberty led some Americans to release their slaves, and most of the new northern states soon passed gradual emancipation laws. By 1786, most of the northern states had abolished slavery in some form.
The American Revolution was definitely revolutionary, it was a truly global event. Men and women together struggled through years of war and hardship. The American Revolution set the stage for both slaves and women to gain independence and liberty. From white and black men to women who fought in the army, they all contributed to and supported the victory.
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