How revolutionary was the American Revolution Themes from

How revolutionary was the American Revolution?

Themes from Pre-Revolution • “Taxation Without Representation” vs. “Virtual Representation” Debate Begins • Debate on “Rights of Englishmen”/Enlightenment ideals

Republicanism • Political ideology • Rhetoric of Rev. focuses on freedom • Ideal, not literal • Women & African Americans excluded

The battle for “Hearts & Minds” is the key to any revolution

This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe. Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still. Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'tis time to part. Now is the seedtime of continental union, faith and honor. The least fracture now, will be like a name engraved with the point of a pin on the tender rind of a young oak; the wound would enlarge with the tree, and posterity read in it full grown characters. The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776

Founding Documents • Declaration of Independence (1776) • Articles of Confederation (1777) • Constitution (1787) + Bill of Rights

The meaning of liberty in the new American republic was a question just starting to be debated

Legacy of Women in the American Revolution • Increasing autonomy of women before & during War • Total mobilization, changing role at home • Major role in econ. boycott • Politicized their everyday domestic life • Lack political representation • Republican Motherhood • Symbolic, politicized role for women to transmit republican values to sons • Justified limited education

A Turning Point in the War Why was the battle of Saratoga significant? Why did France agree to assist America? Results of Battle of Saratoga (1777): • French-American Treaty of Alliance (1778) • Military & Financial Assistance • Desire to Weaken British Empire • Leads to Favorable Peace Terms

How did the Revolutionary War End? Treaty of Paris (1783) • Acknowledges U. S. as a country • Mississippi Access • Doubles Size of Territory