American Beliefs and Values

The Revolutionary period was influential towards the thirteen colonies. This time period included the famous Revolutionary war where the British colonies broke away from England and became independent and free. The American’s beliefs and values developed during this time and became important to why they were fighting for their freedom. Religion, freedom and liberty, and equality was only three of the many values the Americans had. Religion was important to the Americans during the Revolutionary period. George Washington states in his Rules of Civility, “When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously, in reverence and honor, and obey your natural parents” (Rules of Civility). Washington is stating that whenever you talk about God, you have to honor him and don’t joke around when speaking his name. When Washington states “obey your natural parents,” he is referring to God. The Americans respected God and religion was important in their lives. Another reference to religion is in a letter from John Adams to his wife, Abigail Adams. He writes at the end of the letter, “...which I trust in God we shall not” (I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory). The letter John is writing to his wife is right after the independence movement. John’s last words were about trusting in God and that is an example of how religion is important to the Americans. Religion was one of the many beliefs that became important to the Americans. The Americans also believed in freedom and liberty. They thought it was an important value to have and they fought for it in the Revolutionary war. Liberty is very important to the Americans and one way they proved it was by writing a song about liberty. John Dickinson wrote the song “The Liberty Song” where he states, “in freedom we’re born, and in freedom we’ll live” (The Liberty Song). This helps show that liberty is important and this song was popular during this time. The Liberty Song is a way the Americans expressed their