Blacks and Women in the Revolutionary War
The American Revolution was a time when America would transform from an extension of Britain into a new and independent nation. Although the Revolution gave way to new freedom and government, the rights of many groups were ignored during this period of time. The Declaration of Independence claimed to give liberty and justice to all Americans, but not everyone received these freedoms. The Revolutionary War would create opportunities for many minorities whose liberties were often taken advantage, and also allow these groups to develop themselves socially as well as politically. Two groups who would undergo drastic change as a result of the war were women and African Americans. Through the course of the American revolution, people began to look at women and African Americans in a different way than they had before. The reforms that were a result of the Revolutionary War gave new freedoms to many living in America, however, women were not fully encompassed in these reforms. Life in revolutionary America, for most women, meant staying in the home and playing a supporting role to their husbands, brothers, and even sons. Colonial women were subject to long hours of ironing, cooking, cleaning, sewing, and knitting all for the benef
This meant that although it was recognized that slavery is corrupt, it was too economically important to abolish. Now that America was engaged in a war, men began to realize what an important role women could play. For many, now that America was fighting for Independence, it seemed hypocrisy to deny people of the same rights this country was fighting for. The biggest impact the war had on slavery, however, was the fact that it was now a regional institution rather that a national one, practiced by the entire country. The institution was ended in Massachusetts, and laws were gradually implicated that led to emancipation in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. This process would continue, eventually leading to the Civil War. Although the Declaration of Independence really only gave freedom to white land-owners, steps were made as a result of the revolution to develop equality in all groups. Around this time, the vast majority of women were not fighting for complete political equality to men, but many women wished to put an end to the oppressive customs and legal bindings of pre-war America . Women were given the freedom of more political speech, while gaining more respect from men during the war. In the southern states, slavery was considered to a "necessary evil". Be that as it may, this time period was absolutely crucial to the advancement of women's role in society and politics, since it gave way to many thoughts and ideas that would reappear again in the middle of the 19th century. Abigail Adams once wrote " It always appeared almost iniquitous scheme to me- to fight for ourselves what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have. Many did this because fighting for the King meant freedom for black slaves. Men continued to control all public institutions, but women began writing more and more political editorials and letters to magazines and newspapers, voicing their opinions like they could not have done in colonial times.
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