Social Effects of the American Revolution
The Patriots’ victory of the American Revolution changed the lives of the colonists. The effects of the Revolution were both positive and negative. Women were positively changed because of the American Revolution. They obtained more rights; property rights moved within reach. Women were granted more than they ever had. Women, like Abigail Adams, hoped to have men remember that they had talents and abilities beyond those of a housekeeper. In addition to women, the lives of slaves were affected by the Revolution. Because many slaves had enlisted in the Continental Army, slaves in the north were liberated; however, the south viewed slaves as a necessity to benefit the economy and were not so generous in freeing slaves. Slaves that served with the British left with them at the end of the war. Many slaves left America and journeyed to the British West Indies, Canada and Africa. Although the Revolution positively affected the lives of women and African Americans, there were negative consequences for Native Americans. Because the Proclamation Line was no longer valid, white settlers rushed into Native American territory. The flood of settlers induced conflicts with groups like the Cherokee and the Shawnee. Since many Native Americans had joined sides with the British in the Revolution, America claimed that the Native Americans had lost all their rights. Because of this, Native Americans were considered a “conquered” nation. The Native Americans didn’t have a representative at the Treaty of Paris and felt that they were not part of the ‘surrender’ agreement. The American Revolution drastically changed the lives of many. It positively affected women and African Americans, but it proved to be detrimental to the Native