American Revolution Research Paper

861 Words4 Pages

Rachel Lobo
Ms. Skacan
AP United States History
3 November 2014 Early in the 18th century, obtaining independence was not on the agenda for the United States, but the lack of British diplomacy towards the colonists drove the colonists towards emancipation. Through the Revolution, America was transformed from a colony of the British monarchy to an independent nation based on democracy. The transformation drastically impacted all aspects of society with both negative and positive changes. The Revolution fundamentally altered the new American nation forming a democratic republic, vastly expanding its territory, and granting religious freedom; though it minimally empowered women, failed to address slavery, and hindered future progress of Native …show more content…

Although many aspects of the government were structured after Greco-Roman concepts, the notion of a democratic republic was original to America. The implications of the title given to the form of rule include self-government, a government by the people. Self-government was defined by Abraham Lincoln as a government “by the people, of the people, and for the people”, granting the right to elect representatives to enumerate laws and enforce them. This right would eventually lead to the bicameral government system, consisting at that time of the Federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans. The Federalist stated that government must be given power to control people, but must also be controlled because it is a reflection on human nature (DOC I). The concept of a government as a reflection of society and the connotations attributed to it were unique to America, and the democratic republic form of government would serve as an archetype for other nations making the transition from aristocracy or monarchy to …show more content…

By allowing them to fight for the new nation, participate in government and vote, the American Revolution empowered the common man. The Statutes at Large of Virginia state, “No man shall be compelled…to support any religious worship...All men shall be free to profess…their opinions in matters of religion” (DOC D). This document, written in 1786, guarantees freedom of religion to all citizens in the Virginia colony, and all other colonies had similar documents drafted. The Revolution also empowered the common citizen by granting freedom of speech. Document B uses strong diction against colonists who favored Britain during the revolution. The Pennsylvania Packet, in this instance, utilizes what would later become a section of the first amendment, freedom of press. The American Revolution empowered white, land-owning males with the right to vote, and granted freedom of religion along with other rights to all citizens of the United States of

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