Domestic Impact of the American Revolution (College Board AP® US History)
Study Guide
Written by: Kristin Marciniak
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Timeline
Summary
Revolutionary ideals remained important after the conclusion of the Revolutionary War. In the United States, abolitionists cited natural rights as a reason to end the slave trade. State and national leaders tried to incorporate Enlightenment-era ideals into new forms of government. Women became responsible for ensuring the future of the nation by teaching their children evolutionary ideals
Abolition of Slavery
The platform of natural rights that spurred the American Revolution was adopted by free Black and white people who supported the abolition of slavery
Abolitionists pointed out the hypocrisy of a country that was founded on the ideals of liberty and equality also upholding the institution of slavery
The abolition movement started before the American Revolution
It became stronger once the colonies were unified and became states
In 1774, Congress called for an end to the slave trade
Most states supported it
In 1775, Quakers started the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, the world’s first anti-slavery group
Northern states began moving toward abolishing slavery or passing gradual emancipation laws
Southern states continued allowing the enslavement of laborers, most notably African American and Black people
Democracy After the American Revolution
After declaring their independence from Great Britain, colonists experimented with new forms of state and federal government
These new governments were democracies
Democracies were designed to protect the rights of the individual while limiting the amount of power held by a central authority
At the time, these rights generally only applied to white men who owned property
These were the only people who were considered to be citizens of the United States
By July 1777, all but one of the colonies had written new constitutions
Early state constitutions include ideas like freedom of speech, freedom of religion, separation of church and state, the right to assemble peacefully, and the right to a trial by jury
The states were first united by the Articles of Confederation
It created a single-branch federal government that had very limited power
The Articles of Confederation were replaced by the US Constitution
It provided for a stronger, three-branch federal government
Republican Motherhood
Women’s role in society briefly changed during the American Revolution
With men on the battlefield, women took over farms and family businesses
They became the de facto heads of the family
Some women became politically active
They raised money, boycotted British goods, and attended protests
The household structure returned to the status quo when the war was over
As a result, many women channeled their political energy into Republican Motherhood
It emphasized the importance of mothers teaching patriotic lessons at home and instilling revolutionary ideals in their children
One of these ideals was civic virtue
This would ensure that the new nation would remain true to the founders’ original vision
This led to a reform in women’s education, which allowed more women to learn math and geography as well as civics and government
Traditionally, most girls were only taught basic math, reading, and writing
The leading argument in favor of educating women was that they could not teach their sons to be political leaders if they did not know anything about politics themselves
Detractors said that women may someday become an intellectual threat to men and demand citizenship rights
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Republican Motherhood may seem like an outdated concept now, but it was the spark of women’s shifting rights in the United States.
To remember this, imagine a small, one-room house. That was women’s place after the Revolutionary War.
Now picture someone handing the woman a balloon. She inhales deeply and exhales her responsibilities and rights into it. Caring for her home and family flows in first.
Next comes teaching her children about patriotism and American history. The balloon practically fills the house.
As her educational opportunities expand, so does the balloon. It presses against the house’s walls.
The walls fall down, revealing the woman to the public. She is hired for jobs like teacher and nurse. The balloon grows bigger.
Eventually, the balloon reaches the ballot box, and she has the right to vote.
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