How the American Revolution Changed American Society Essay Example

After the American Revolution people began to question why it was called the Revolutionary War and whether it was revolutionary or not. The American Revolution also called the War for Independence, took place between 1775 and 1783. It was a fight between 13 British colonies and their mother country, England. At the time, England was the most powerful country in the world. To the great surprise of many, the war was won by the 13 colonies who named themselves the United States of America. How Revolutionary was the American Revolution? The word "revolutionary" means involving or causing a complete or dramatic change. The root "revolution" derives from the Late Latin revolution- "a revolving," from Latin revolver "turn, roll back". The American Revolution was revolutionary because it influence big social changes, entice people to stand up for their rights, and implemented change into the government.

Primarily after the American Revolution, there was a big social change the American Revolution. Document 5 is a map that shows the states of the United States with years that each state banned slavery. The majority of the northern states banned slavery in the late 1700s and early 1800s while the southern states banned slavery towards the mid to late 1800s. Also, many states banned slavery in 1863 because President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." Then some states like New York banned people from buying more slaves after a certain year but they could keep the slaves they already have. This is revolutionary because all of the states ended slavery eventually showing a big social change after the war ended. While when the British were in control it looked like flavor would never end. Document 3 is a picture of six men playing billiards on a billiards table. Three out of the six men were wearing fancy clothing like button-up tailcoats, while the other three men are in what looks to be commoners' clothing. It looks a little dirty and they have no shoes. But if you dive deeper into the picture you notice how a rich upper-class person is socializing and playing with a lower-class person. This is revolutionary. It shows a big social change because lower-class people are playing a game with upper-class people.

Secondly, there was a massive change in the Government. The United States is running completely differently than the British. In document 4 you see two charts showing the economic status in six of the twelve colonies. In N.H, N.Y, and N.J in 1765 36% of representatives were in the wealthy class 47% in Well-To-Do 17% in the Moderate Class, and 0% in the Poor Class. But then in 1785 after the American Revolution, 12 % were wealthy, 26% in Well-To-Do, 62% in Moderate, and still 0% in Poor. Then in MD., VA., and S.C., 52% were Wealthy, 36% in Well-To-Do, 12% in Moderate, and 0% in Poor. Then in 1785 after the American Revolution 28% in Wealthy, 42% in Well-To-Do, 30% in Moderate, and 0% in poor. In document 8 it states, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridge by the United States or by any state on the count of sex."This is revolutionary because for the first time in history a government has given women the right to vote for people and things that will affect the whole Country.

Finally, after the American Revolution, there was a big change in people's rights. In document 7 it states, "Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention are not paid to the ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation." This is Revolutionary because the females are standing up for their rights and demanding the same rights as males and if they don't get them then they will protest and rebel just like the colonists. In document 9 it states, "The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards the Indians; their land and property shall never be taken from them without their consent; and, in their property, rights, and liberty, they shall never be invaded or disturbed, unless in just and lawful wars authorized by Congress."This is revolutionary because they are giving the Natives the right to their land and stating that people can not take it. While in the past people just kept taking and taking more and more of their land.

The American Revolution was revolutionary because there were big social changes, massive changes in government, and changes in human rights. Not everything was revolutionary like people protesting the government but for the more part, a lot of things that happened were revolutionary and would not have happened if the American Revolution did not exist.