StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Changing Perceptions: Equality in American Revolutionary Era - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
As the author of the paper "Changing Perceptions: Equality in American Revolutionary Era" discusses, the struggle for equality, in some forums, continues today. The revolutionary period was an immensely important and pivotal era of growth and change that allowed this country to exist. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER98.6% of users find it useful
Changing Perceptions: Equality in American Revolutionary Era
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Changing Perceptions: Equality in American Revolutionary Era"

In the United States today we have a rather simple, clear, and concise interpretation of what “equality” means. It is an inalienable human right that should be ethically supported and legally protected. This equality is granted as a natural right like breathing air, it is ideally, applied to all human beings, regardless of race, ethnicity culture, religion, skin color, gender, or philosophies. However, that has not always been the case. There was a time when people living in the United States, in the 1770s, during the colonial period, began to perceive “equality” differently from one another. In the past, defining what equality is and should become a contributory factor of the Revolutionary War.

          In the years prior to the war, the only social structure and governmental administration ideologies were those brought with them from Britain. In Britain, it was status and wealth that indicated if a citizen was qualified for equality. (Van Til 1)  In other words, equality did not apply to everyone within the society only to a specific elite group. However, the American colonists were far from British life, in the colonies life was different and, often, harsh. These struggles like Indian attacks, hunger, and diseases were experienced universally by the rich and poor alike. Slowly but surely colony life and the philosophical concepts of “enlightenment” thinkers, gave people the idea that “equality” could and should not be something bestowed or earned, but something that should be a principle right. (Van Til 1)

          When Thomas Jefferson wrote that “all men are created equal,” it sparked the fires of change, particularly, among those that, generally, were not offered equality within society. Anti-salve supporters spoke out that it was absolutely hypocritical to speak of equality of all men while owning and profiting from the slave trade. (Foner 4-5) Women were encouraged by the changing perceptions of equality to speak out and be more active. The Native Americans, would not benefit from these changing times, in fact, they would suffer greatly. Even as the colonists fought for the right to freedom and individual equality in the New World, the Native Americans would, sadly, lose all hope of equality, freedoms, and rights to ancestral lands. It is easy to see that in these turbulent and changing times that finding the definition of equality that was inclusive, concise, and agreeable to all, was no easy task.

          The Revolutionary War itself was, both, a revolt against British rule, but, also, a civil war among colonists who did not share the same views on the impending rebellion. (Nash) Loyalists, those faithful to the British Crown and the Patriots, those colonists that sought to make America a new nation all of its own, were forced to stand against each other. Even the slaves found themselves on opposing sides of the war. The British gained their allegiance by offering to “free:” the slaves that would fight for them against the colonists; the colonists. Ultimately, we know the war’s imminent outcome. The colonies prevailed and the United States was born independently from Britain.

          The new philosophies of American would see the abandonment of previous British traditions and social norms. By 1800, the practices of “indentured servitude” and “apprenticeships” had nearly disappeared altogether. The freedoms and equalities of white men increased. The aristocratic structure of society was dismissed and, for the first time, men of all levels and stations were represented in politics; by the 1780s the majority of white males were qualified to vote. (Foner 1-2) The founding fathers did not know what impact the philosophy of equality would have on the new nation. In truth, they believed in equality of “conditioning,” not  in “opportunities.” Simply meaning, all men should be treated equally, allowing for basic courtesies, dignities, and respect; they were not necessarily referring to all men being equal to hold the same stations and earn the same wealth. Regardless of the intentions of the words, the fire they fueled would not be stamped out; Americans continued to fight for true equality. Although slavery ethics were debated in the 1770s, it would still be, nearly, another century before America would officially and legally free the slaves from servitude.

          The ideas of true equality began with the Revolutionary War and would carry on for many years to come. 

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/history/1468151-assignment
(Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words - 2)
https://studentshare.org/history/1468151-assignment.
“Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words - 2”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/history/1468151-assignment.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Changing Perceptions: Equality in American Revolutionary Era

Compare the Impact that the American Revolution had on Women and African Americans

revolutionary era Name Institution Impact of the American Revolution on Women and African Americans The American Revolution had profound impacts in America than just the formation an independent country.... Similar attacks on the slavery institutions came under attack during the revolutionary era5.... During the timeline of the american Revolution, slavery was an established national institution, especially in the southern states.... The revolution brought radical changes in sentiments, opinions, and principles to the american people....
10 Pages (2500 words) Research Paper

Cultural and Critical Perspectives of Rock-N-Roll

The era of slavery and western imperialism has given birth to the several mediums of expression such as music and carnivals.... Though soul music and the early Rock and Roll music artists were popular and enjoyed by a large section of the African american community, it faced a grueling political apathy and hatred of so called civilized grown-up Americans.... Slavery system had left a generation of Africans who were not aware of their origin and even did not know much about american culture....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

World History of the 18-19th century

The paper " World History of the 18-19th century" answers on different questions including the abolishment of slavery in Britain and the United States, revolutionary movements of Mexico, relationship between nation, nationalism and ideology in the 19th century and American and French revolutions.... nbsp;… The american and the French revolution had a number of similarities and differences.... Some of the events included the period of Enlightenment, american Revolution, and Industrial revolution and Western imperialism....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Terrorism Waves In America

This essay talks that terrorism has not had a singular universally accepted definition and thus has had to be defined in relation to the terror occurrence either in terms of international terrorism or in terms of domestic terrorism.... Terrorism is the use of force unlawfully against a person or property....
15 Pages (3750 words) Research Paper

Discovery of America and the Scientific Revolution in Europe

The reporter states that the Discovery age is an essentially historical period in Spanish and European global exploration.... It began in early 15th century with the discoveries of Africa by the Portuguese and America by Spain in 1492 as well as the discovery of the ocean routes to Asia in 1498.... ...
19 Pages (4750 words) Essay

Poems of Walt Whitman and the Acceptance of the Portrayal in American Drama and Theatre Industry

The entire study is based on Whit Whitman poetic exploration and its modern representation by play writer in american Theatre and Drama society (University Of Toronto Libraries, “Song of Myself”).... As compared to past and present era, a huge transformation has been noticed among the… Present era has created new chances and various challenges for every creative field.... Moreover, “Leaves of Grass” and “Song of Myself” are poems, which described the political environment of past revolutionary period....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Changing Minds or Changing Channels

The emergence of cable television is revolutionary and this development in technology has brought television to areas where broadcast.... he chapter also shows the study of media effects on american public opinion.... The paper "changing Minds or changing Channels" states that the introduction of several channels is the best idea to have happened though it has both its advantages and disadvantages though advantages over ways disadvantages in that there is no monopoly of channels....
8 Pages (2000 words) Book Report/Review

Urban Poverty is a Consequence of Structure

is experiencing a new era as global capitalism is intensifying (Goldsmith 16).... hellip; Poverty is evident among american groups who are socially detached from the bigger society, educationally handicapped, and institutionally victimized not only in the labor market but also by the penal systems and social welfare....
6 Pages (1500 words) Coursework
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us