Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

DBQ American Revolution

Good Essays
631 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
DBQ American Revolution
In discussing the American revolution, the role of individual liberty and equality is at the forefront of important matters. While the war was viewed holistically as struggle between Great Britain and the colonists, there were also important internal issues among the colonists themselves. For instance, the equality of people among different social classes, races and genders played a serious role in terms of determining what kind of nation would most effectively foster equality. In Eric Foner’s Give Me Liberty, chapter six offered insight into how these internal struggles manifested and what kind of implications they had. While matters such as social class, race and gender were important during the American Revolution, these factors were just few of many others related to the broader theme of equality. Throughout the secondary accounts of various social issues during the revolution, other facets of society such as religion and political views were also relevant to the discussion. Mainly, religious freedom was something that was also taken into account. In the segment titled Toward Religious Toleration, the author outlined that church and state had to be separated in order to ensure that people’s views were not used as means by which others were oppressed. James Madison even outlined that the United States of America would be a haven for those that were religiously oppressed in other nations. The attention paid towards religion reflected a much broader focus on holistic freedom. Despite this, the revolution was also a struggle with regards to freedom of opinion. For instance, The Limits of Liberty outlined that loyalists, or “those who retained their allegiance in the Crown,” were forced to swear allegiance and even chose to emigrate in some instances. This represented the nature of internal struggles within the revolution that extended beyond just Great Britain. Surely, not everyone in the revolution agreed that a new order was the right course of action for the colonies. In fact, the revolution was highly related to defining the scope, context and definition of an individual and what liberties they were entitled to. In the segment titled Defining Economic Freedom, having opportunity to pursue wealth was cited as a core facet of the freedom that people were entitled to. This was meant to be independent of factors such as race, social class and gender; albeit women, minorities and Indians were excluded from the same opportunities as white men. The role of the government was also defined and shaped in terms of how much influence they would have over controlling economic matters. The viewpoints regarding how much government intervention was appropriate did reflect a key issue during this time period: whether small or big government was the proper means by which to rule a nation. This topic was explored within the Federalist papers and is still the underlying difference between different political parties. Finally, as Democratizing Freedom highlighted, liberty was also defined from the perspective of voting rights; that is, who had the right to vote was related to one’s economic opportunity and other factors such as gender, race and social class. This was evident based on the example provided of how the backlash of Pennsylvania elites had “radical potential” for political disruption. Ultimately, the fact that some people denounced the revolution epitomized the way in which society was carefully structured around those that had resources. As we have seen, social class, gender and race were not the only relevant factors in terms of the internal struggles of the American Revolution. Religious and political views were also important because the founding fathers expressed serious concern regarding toleration and allegiance to the new government. Finally, defining freedom and how it was related to economic opportunity and voting rights were relevant struggles as they would cause later social issues and wars in American history.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    French Revolution Dbq

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages

    King Louis XVI was in power during the revolution, he was thrown into this position when King Louis XV attempted to flee the country. Extravagant spending by the king’s father left the country on the brink of bankruptcy. Unrest among the peasants knowing there situation, were not willing to support the feudal system any longer. When the three states assembled, they imposed heavy tax increases, which were approved by Nobility and Clergy. This left the country in flames, while the taxes did not provide relief, the French Revolution was created.…

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout all of history and even today, religion has played a major role in the lives of many people and society in general. A time in history where this is prevalent is in the 17th and 18th centuries; the colonization and the building the original 13 colonies. In fact, religion played such an important role in the colonies that religion was sometimes the stem of inner conflict in the colonies. However, on the same hand, religion also had a way of being common ground among the colonists. Religion united the colonists when all were free to worship what faith they wanted and how they wanted to worship and a direct result of this religious freedom was emerging political ideas;however, when religious intolerance, or concern for only one particular…

    • 137 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the midst of the Enlightenment Age, a time when philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke were forming new ideas of society and government, a war had started between Britain and its American colonies. The colonists claimed their government was failing to provide for its citizens, sharing Locke’s views of the natural rights of men that a government was meant to…

    • 66 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The American Revolution, a crucial event in the United States of America’s history, which has produced the most productive, and free society. There is no doubt that many of America’s Founding Fathers were religious men and the liberty which they fought for has been beneficial for millions of people across the nation. But the real question that we need to answer is was their revolt against England and the crown biblically justifiable? In this paper I will be giving my own personal view of this topic by looking at some key passages in Scripture that address the issue of Government and Authority, what my personal conviction is on the subject, what the other views are, and how the view I hold can be applied to the American Revolution.…

    • 1479 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In your answer be sure to address the political, social, and economic effects of the…

    • 901 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Hollitz ch. 4 analysis

    • 631 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The American Revolution is one of the biggest goals accomplished in the U.S. Many believe it couldn’t have been done without the success of the war without our great founding fathers and generals. Gary Nash begs to differ and sheds light on the roles other groups played greatly on the American Revolution. In Nash’s article prior to readers reading this excerpt he hopes for us to find “hope, an antidote for historical amnesia.” Nash successfully argues in the “Unknown American Revolution,” the up rival of the revolution with the upheaval of female equality, slavery, and common farmers which are proven by secondary sources in the chapter.…

    • 631 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Dbq French Revolution

    • 525 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The French Revolution was a major impact on Europe. The French Revolution was a period of economic, social, and political changes. It began July 14, 1784 and ended in the 1790’s. The revolution took place in France. It was cause by Napoleon Bonaparte, he expanded the french empire. As the expansion was caused it led to many wars and monarchy to end. The French Revolution was a failure and a success at the same time. Many people were executed and nothing was successful till it ended. During The French Revolution there was the reign of terror and the rise of Napoleon. There were many wars and executions. When the French Revolution ended the economy was recovered.…

    • 525 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dbq Wwi

    • 582 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The United States entered WWI late causing it to not be as heavily effected by casualties as other countries but there were many other effects of the war. I would like to highlight three effects of the war which are soldiers going through shell shock, change in racial distribution, and women gaining rights.…

    • 582 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gary Nash Essay

    • 461 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In the essay by Gary Nash, “ The Forgotten Experience” he argues that the reason for the American Revolution was not caused by the defense of constitutional rights and liberties, but that of living conditions of America were not very favorable and that social and economic factors should be considered as the driving force that pushed many colonists to revolt. The popular ideology which can be defined as “resonating most strongly within the middle and lower class of society and went far beyond constitutional rights to a discussion of the proper distribution of wealth and power in the social system” had a dynamic role in the decisions of many people to revolt. The masses ideas were not of constitutional rights, but the equal distribution of wealth in the colonies that many felt that the wealth was concentrated in a small percentage of the population in the colonies. The Whig ideology that was long established in English society had a main appeal towards the upper class citizens and "had little to say about changing social and economic conditions in America or the need for change in the future." The popular ideologies consisted of new ways of changing the distribution of wealth. Nash in his essay provides good evidence to prove his point that the American Revolution was not caused by the defense of constitutional rights and liberties, but by improper distribution of wealth. A major ethnical problem was the introduction of slavery and the rights slaves were entitled too. Nash uses a witness, Thomas Peter, in describing the conditions of slave life during the breakout of the revolution. Most of the slaves were taken as property of the British army and manipulated by receiving absolute freedom to their duties preformed. During the revolutionary time, black Americans took advantage of wartime disruption to obtain their freedom in any ways possible. Blacks constantly fought to receive their rights just as equal to a white man’s. Hence,…

    • 461 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Apush Dbq 4

    • 969 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In events leading up to the Revolution, the colonists had developed a strong identity as citizens of America. As interracial couples emerged and different ethnicities intertwined peacefully, people began to forget their past history of identification as “English” or “French” and now simply considered themselves American. As stated in Letters from an American Farmer, “Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labours and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world…” [Doc. H] In addition, because of the Proclamation of 1763, colonists began to resent the British more fully, and as a result, resorted to seeing themselves as more independent and distinct. Anyone who lived in and supported America considered themselves as Americans despite their original nationality. Parliament also no longer had the means to govern the colonies because of the distance between them and the lack of similarities between the regions. As “Notes for Speech in Parliament” stated, “Is there a single Trait of Resemblance between those few Towns, and a great and growing people spread over a vast quarter of the globe, separated from us by a mighty Ocean?” [Doc. B] America had begun to develop its own sense of individuality. The “Declaration for the Causes of Taking up Arms” revealed that Americans were willing to fight for their cause and independence, proving that they thought they were unique and had a sense of individuality [Doc. E].Next, because the colonists argued…

    • 969 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Revolution Dbq

    • 1112 Words
    • 5 Pages

    "The Revolution was affected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people...This radical change in the principles, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution." Explain the meaning of this 1818 statement by John Adams (referring to the Revolutionary era) and assess its validity.…

    • 1112 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    American Revolution

    • 1702 Words
    • 7 Pages

    “I’m going to make a name for myself. If I fail, you will never hear of me again” Edward James Muggeridge. True to his words he succeeded in making a name for himself and he created the first movie or “motion picture”. Movies are a rollercoaster ride that transcends people into a whole different world fresh out of somebody’s imagination as seen through the genres of horror, drama, and science fiction. The movie business allows people to break through the burden of everyday life. Considering today’s way of life, people would be lying if they did not admit that movies are an influential entity in our culture. Movies have been successful in ingraining values and elements into society. Movies exaggerate, sensationalize and at times even trivialize the matters of society. It has also played a major role in media in positive developments such as fight against racism, fight against gender bias, and spreading awareness about world peace. Author Bill Swanson who wrote the text, “How Films Feed the Mind or When I’m Hungry, I Don’t Want to Eat Candy”, would also agree that movies play a significant role in structuring our society. In his text he explains movies have a big influence to people both physically and physiologically. Swanson states that films are only analogies of the real world that condense time into a two-hour story. Furthermore, Swanson explains movies are part of people’s memories, and many compare and reflect movies into their own personal experience. There are numerous examples in which Swanson refers to movies that are influential and momentous. One of the movies that Swanson proposes is Raging Bull, he quotes that: “Raging bull is the irrational urge to define ourselves by violent acts of control and domination” (Swanson 240). Raging Bull requires viewers to have cultural knowledge in order to fully understand the film. Martin Scorsese presents a movie that many critics would consider a classic. There are many characteristics that make this…

    • 1702 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    American Revolution remains the cornerstone of Democracy the world over. It has helped shape the History of the world and its perception of Freedom, democracy and Human values. However it is a historic anomaly that the abolition of slavery, then rampant in the various states of U.S.A as slave-ownership or slave trade, did not coincide with its independence but actually took more than a century to take effect. This question is often glossed over in the historic and heroic accounts of the story of American Revolution. This is where Gary. B. Nash has tried to fill the vacuum by trying to bring to the foreground the sentiments present during the American Revolution towards Abolitionism and the counter points that shaped history.…

    • 690 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    At the onset of the American Revolution, the sociology and agenda of the patriotic elite seemed to mirror that of the people. Many influential figures in the colonies, as well as most of the common people, had had enough of what they viewed as British tyrannical rule encroaching on their lifestyles. Visionaries such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson dreamed of a self-governed country founded on a basis of equality and liberty. Of course, these fundamental rights weren't intended for everyone, as women and African Americans would still be discriminated against within the new society.…

    • 928 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Father of the American Revolution, Samuel Adams, said that to change any age in which we live, "we must simply 'study and practice the exalted virtues of the Christian system.' While the people are virtuous,' he said, "they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader . . . If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great Security." (Contending for the Constitution, Beliles and Anderson, 2005, Providence Foundation).1 The group and caliber of the men, the delegates, who became the signers of the Constitution were extremely well-educated men. Twenty-nine of them were either graduates of Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Princeton, or other prestigious universities. They were either lawyers, clergyman, and many were both attorneys and either clergy or heavily involved in the church. Some had fought in the War for Independence and about "three quarters of them had already served in the Continental Congress." (Id at 17). These were men for whom the love of God, the honor of country, and rule of law and principles of virtue were of utmost significance. They believed that morality, knowledge, and religion were essential to the formation of the colonies as "free and independent states." These were the tenets upon which they had built their lives, as soldiers, as barristers, as statesmen and clergymen. Descended from heavily Puritan roots, these were not liberal men; they harked back to their Puritanical roots in the way they dressed, acted, talked, and reasoned. Without the moral structure of spiritual law, the Founding Fathers knew that the newfound liberty afforded to Americans in the Constitution would be abused. That is why they repeatedly referenced religion in their letters. In 1776, the year the Declaration of…

    • 799 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays