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Women Seek Wider Roles/Influence and Attempt to Expand Their Rights
Women played a significant role throughout the American Revolutionary era but their rights rarely expanded, and in some cases, decreased during peacetime. Black women were often enslaved to white slaveholders, and American Indian women's influence was reduced because men's roles of diplomats and leaders were enhanced throughout the revolution. Benjamin Rush advocated for "republican motherhood" which was the practice of educating sons in principles of liberty and government. -
American Culture's Inclusion of Native American Themes
Native Americans were commonly seen through derogatory themes throughout American culture. Americans dressed as Natives to protest economic and political tyranny. Colonists also attempted to "tame" American Indians under the sense that they were "uncivilized" but not completely different from Europeans. However, very few attempts were ever made to educate/civilize, and instead, means of expansion and conquer availed. Although, some American poets recognized the lost cultures of American Indians. -
America's Push for Education and Artistic Development
American colonists believed that education was the next step for cultural development. 9 colleges including Yale, Harvard, King's College (Columbia), Queen's College (Rutgers), and the College of William and Mary was established. Artists additionally started to promote American literature and science within their pieces. Colonists, however, believed some colleges were tainted by British influence, so they pushed for more republican schools. -
Veteran Farmers and American Citizens Struggle in Post War Economy
War veterans, often farmers, waited nearly 20 years to receive compensation for their contribution in the war, which led to the inability to establish farms and businesses. The government offered to give land to the farmers to pay as compensation, but there was never enough available land. Farmers now had to repay loans in hard currency after state legislatures passed a law stating that required debts to be payed in gold or silver. Shay's Rebellion happened in 1786 (veteran revolt.) -
Post American Revolutionary Economy is Devastated
After the American Revolution, America's economy was shuttered and victory directly led to economic depression. The government's inability to pay back wages and the huge debt the nation owed to private citizens contributed to the financial crisis. Additionally, international trade and demand for jobs declined, further contributing to economic difficulty. Taxes rose, and Hamilton urged states to grant federal governments a percentage of import duties to increase overall revenue. -
Developing a Federal American Government
President Washington established four departments: State, War, Treasury, and Justice. Washington appointed Henry Knox, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Edmund Randolph to their respective departments. Furthermore, Congress attempted to establish a judicial system, and their first move was to pass the Judiciary Act, which presented the Supreme Court. Soon later, the Bill of Rights was established with the help of James Madison. -
Slavery and Discrimination within Southern
Life of enslaved people grew increasingly difficult during the war. British forces promised freedom to black people who helped fight alongside with them eventual freedom, thus forcing the slaveholders to take extreme measures to keep enslaved African Americans from reaching the British. Black people who fought alongside the British evacuated to Nova Scotia, where a small community formed. Nonetheless, southern states kept laws protecting slavery for many years after the Revolution. -
Slavery within Northern States
Vermont, and gradually Pennsylvania abolished slavery within northern states, and in New Jersey, granted property-owning black people the right to vote. To add, the first independent black church was founded in Philadelphia, and with hopes of a better future, African Americans migrated north. Quakers in northern states were the only religious group to speak against slavery in the colonial period, and aided African Americans to achieve their freedom. -
The Capital of America is Moved to Newly Founded Washington and Washington City Undergoes Development
The Residence Act of July 16, 1790, put the nation's capital in current-day Washington to appease pro-slavery states who feared the northern capital as being too sympathetic to abolitionists. The Capital was moved to the Potomac River. Washington soon underwent development, and the construction started in 1792 and was not completed until 1809 with the work of over 300,000 slaves who lived in poor conditions. This city was meant to describe/represent the culture and identity of the new nation. -
The Establishment of the Bank of the United States
Hamilton advocated for a National Bank to help pay off the country’s debt after the American Revolution. However, Patrick Henry, a notorious critic of the idea, believed it would be too controlling and autocratic. George Washington, on the other hand, supported Hamilton’s plan and eventually saw it out to be very beneficial in stabilizing the country.