AP history paper

Americans have well understood the significance of the phrase, "All men are created equal." Throughout the history of the United States, the meaning of the phrase " All men are created equal" has changed and expanded. When this statement was written in the Constitution, it was to ensure that people in America would never be subject to a tyrannical and oppressive rule that benefited only the upper class and those in Britain. The people occupying America before the American Revolutionary War were taxed unfairly and weren't allowed representation despite providing much profit for Britain. This led to uprisings against British rule and eventually a war which resulted in America becoming an independent nation. At this point in America's history, equality meant every man had a say in how he was governed and should have equal rights so the majority would be satisfied and wouldn't revolt. During slavery and shortly thereafter in America, the phrase "All men are created equal" received even greater attention. Opponents to slavery felt that the Constitution wasn't being carried out. People were being taken from Africa and used in forced labor under cruel conditions. Slaves were thought of as inferior and didn't have equal rights. This led to another conflict in which opponents of slavery expressed concern not only because slaves were denied human rights, but also because of the cruel conditions in which they lived. Slaves were whipped and killed for attempting to run away or revolt. These raising tensions between the slave states and free states divided the country, and war ensued again. During this conflict, the Emancipation Proclamation was enacted in 1863 declaring all slaves from Southern states free. The North was successful in the war. Despite being free from slavery, descendants from African slaves still weren't viewed as equals by many and conflict continued. African American had inferior education and political rights than their white counterparts. A specific