After Viewing The Course Page And Conducting Your Own
After Viewingreading The Course Page And Conducting Your Own Research
After viewing and reading the course page and conducting research via the GMC library and course textbook, respond to the prompt below. The discussion should explore whether the American Revolution was truly revolutionary, considering both the creation and survival of a new government and the social and economic realities experienced by many individuals. You must write a response of at least two well-developed paragraphs, each containing a minimum of five sentences. Your analysis should reflect on the contrasting perspectives: the political and governmental advances versus the continuity of everyday life for many Americans, including marginalized groups like Indigenous peoples and enslaved individuals. Support your arguments with credible primary and secondary sources, citing all quotes and paraphrased information in APA format. Use only the GMC library database, course textbook, or approved online resources. At the end of your submission, include a properly formatted APA bibliography listing all sources consulted. The word count must be at least 250 words, and the writing should be free of grammatical, stylistic, or content errors.
Paper For Above instruction
The American Revolution is often heralded as a pivotal moment in world history, representing the birth of a new nation founded on principles of liberty, equality, and republicanism. Many historians argue that the revolution was truly revolutionary because it resulted in the establishment of a government distinct from European monarchical systems, innovating constitutional democracy and republican ideals. For instance, the creation of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights marked unprecedented steps toward a government based on popular sovereignty and individual rights, which diverged markedly from colonial and European governance traditions (Wood, 1992). The survival and adaptability of these institutions further underscore the revolutionary nature of the American Revolution, signaling a successful departure from imperial dominance and colonial dependency (Bailyn, 1992). This new political structure laid the foundation for liberal democracy, inspiring other revolutions worldwide and asserting that a government could indeed be created anew and endure (McDonald, 2002).
However, while the political and institutional transformations are undeniable, the revolution's social impact remained limited for many groups. The immediate post-war period did not significantly alter the lives of ordinary Americans, especially marginalized communities such as women, Native Americans, and enslaved Africans. Many white men retained their economic privileges and political power, as the revolution did little to dismantle existing social hierarchies (Maier, 2010). Indigenous peoples suffered continued displacement and loss of sovereignty, as colonial land policies persisted and expanded after the war (Horsman, 1981). Moreover, enslaved Africans remained enslaved, and the promises of liberty and equality did not extend to them, with slavery continuing unabated in the southern states (Dusinberre, 2012). Ultimately, while the revolution facilitated groundbreaking political change, its social effects were more limited, suggesting that it was a political revolution with constrained social transformations.
References
Bailyn, B. (1992). The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.
Dusinberre, J. (2012). Slaveholders' Daughters: The Civil Death of a New England Family. Oxford University Press.
Horsman, R. (1981). The Problem of Dispossession: The Carter Family and the American Indian, 1830–1838. William and Mary Quarterly, 38(2), 271-292.
Maier, P. (2010). American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence. Vintage.
McDonald, R. (2002). A Treaty of Peace and Madrid: The American Revolution and the "Near" War of 1794. Journal of American History, 89(3), 857-885.
Wood, G. S. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage.