American Revolution Dbq 43v5t

American Revolution DBQ The French and Indian war was a factor that led to the American Revolution. The reason is because ideological relations among the colonists differed from the British. As a result, the colonists fought for their independence against its mother country to fundamentally change the American society. Following the American Revolution, the American society created its own political, social, and economic identity. The American government became a democracy, ideas toward religion and women changed, and American’s were guaranteed economic independence. Americans desired to obtain a democracy. To ensure that the American society would live under a democracy, important documents were written. The Declaration of Independence worked in correlation with the pamphlet, “Common Sense” written by Thomas Paine, to explain how the colonies were being treated unfairly by Britain, and why it was ideal for the colonies to become their own nation to self-govern themselves. James Madison who was an author of the Federalists Papers argued that “Such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of governments,” (Doc. I).This quote shows how colonies were democratic in contrast to the tyranny of Great Britain. The Americans used “devices” to ensure that not only the government was controlling the people, but also itself. For example, the purpose of the Federalists Papers was to argue how the Articles of Confederation failed. A time when the Articles of Confederation proved to be unsuccessful was in Shay’s Rebellion, which proved that the government was weak and would need to reform. As a result, the Federalists Papers claimed for the Constitution to be ratified to help keep stability and run the colonies successfully. Americans were able to change their society socially. For example, men were allowed to acknowledge their own opinion in matters of religion (Doc. D). Because American’s obtained religious freedom they were able to create a unified diverse society. Despite their differences, Americans were united with patriotic ideals, and national pride which allowed for them to create their own identity which greatly differed from Great Britain. Even the roles of women were changed in American society. In her valedictory address, Moily Wallace claimed “And if to read, why not to speak?” (Doc. J) The quote shows how the American Revolution and knowledge encouraged women to be involved in public life. Women helped contribute to different roles in the war. For example, the illustration of Woodcut of Patriot Women shows a woman holding a rifle (Doc. A). This proves how women changed their traditional roles from working in households to a role in helping men at war. An example of a patriotic woman would be Deborah Sampson. The American Revolution permitted Americans to gain economic independence by not having to pay tariffs to Britain and by abandoning mercantilism. The economy of the colonies evolved as a result of the relationship with Britain. The colonial economy was influenced by an agricultural society (Doc. F). Farmers were valued for their contribution since Britain wasn’t contributing to the colonies. As a result, the Daughters of Liberty held the burden of supplying goods for the colonists, such as clothes. The Americans were once again able to differ from Britain and show how the colonies could be stable, and not have to rely on its mother country.

The American Revolution permitted Americans to fundamentally change its society. The American society was affected by political, religious, social, and economic ideals; but the significance was that these influences proved how the colonies could be independent from Britain with stability.