Compare And Contrast The Attitudes Of Reform And Rebellion Movement

The American understanding of reform and rebellion had shifted dramatic between the early colonial era and the 1850s. During the early colonial era, reform of any kind was frowned upon and social change was seemingly regarded as unnecessary. Rebellion was seen by some as the only effective method to inspire change. However, over the course of time up until 1850, there was a dramatic shift were reform was seen as necessary and also welcomed. Rebellion however was seen in a negative light and was proven to be not effective. From 1700 to 1850, American understanding and attitudes of reform and rebellion shifted due to an emphasis of individual rights and the creation of a democracy where the people essentially empowered their government. However,

Slavery was originally legal in all states but after the Revolutionary War, the North and West abolished it and African Americans had some rights. The idea of slavery went against the ideas of equality and individual rights that inspired the colonists to revolt against the British Empire. Abolitionists and other supporters of the anti-slavery movement educated the public through personal tales from slaves, articles and books such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin. This movement however caused a divide between the states and eventually assisted in the outbreak of the Civil War.

The fight for individual rights and freedoms are seen throughout the early colonial period and continue way after the 1850s. Without such acts of rebellion like Anne Hutchinson’s fight for religious freedom, and reform movements to achieve rights for women and abolish slavery, individual freedoms and rights would full exist as it exists

During Bacon’s Rebellion in early Virginia, Nathaniel Bacon wanted to ensure that all freedmen had land that enabled them to profit in the agrarian society that existed in the colony at that time. Ever since the Enlightenment ideals reached the minds of colonist and inspired a revolution based on freedoms long sought after and newly discovered. The colonist realized with the spread of ideas of freedom, nationalism, and liberties that they needed to rise up against the tyranny of the British Empire. Great Britain essentially saw the colonies as a money making machine. The colonies however saw themselves already as self-governing and mostly independent. The British Parliament realized they could squeeze more money from the colonies via taxes. This upset a majority of colonies, enough to inspire each colony sending representatives to Philadelphia for a meeting. In the meeting the delegates decided that they must go to war against Britain and fight for independence. The Revolutionary War is probably the most significant form of rebellion to occur in the United States, as it is the domino that started the very notion of a United States of America. Shay’s Rebellion after the Revolutionary War was also significant in showing that despite failures, change can still come forth.. Shay’s Rebellion was a uprising of farmers who were going broke due an economic