American Revolution DBQ

DBQ #1
American Revolution

The American Revolution affected American society in many ways economically, socially and politically. Economically, the war brought many the colonists many monetary hardships, having lost the British as a trading partner. Socially, the movements for equality brought up questions about slavery and women and whether they deserved the same.. Political questions
Economically, the colonies, though ready to fight, found themselves short on money to finance the war. In 1764, the Currency act had forced all colonies to trade in gold and silver, and eventually caused a shortage of hard money. When it came time for the war, the government had no choice but start making paper money. The paper money only caused inflation
This led to a substantial debt abroad and at home. The states paid off their debts by increasing taxes, but many people such as poor farmers couldn’t afford to pay. As Abigail Adams said in a letter to Thomas Jefferson “they cried out for paper money”, many of them wanted more money issued to help them meet their requirements. (Doc G). This led to many riots including Shay’s rebellion. Daniel Shay was veteran and he demanded paper money, tax relief, relocation of the state capital and abolition of imprisonment for debt. This led to Massachusetts offering some tax relief and postponement of payments. The new states of America needed money. Trading became a new issue once the revolution started. Before the war, because of things like the Navigations acts, the colonies were dependent for most of their trading on Britain. The first navigation act closed off all colonial trade except through English ships, the second made all goods from Europe to the colonies had to pass through England to be taxed before being shipped off. Once the war started they no longer had access to the markets of the empire. Even though this halted production for a period of time, in the long run it
A slave had nothing, and women were only seen a step up from slaves. They couldn’t own anything once they had been married. Women didn’t have any property rights and therefore couldn’t vote. Once the war started though, things began changed. Once the men went off to war, women were left to take care of all matters at home, on the farm, and the business. Some women even went with their male relatives into war. They were first seen by men as distracting and disruptive, and incapable of being in war. Women were very benefiting to the war cause. They did the necessary tasks, like cooking, laundry, nursing and raised moral. But they didn’t just limit themselves to womanly tasks. As seen in the Woodcut of patriot women, women frequently picked up arms and went in to combat. (Doc A) once the war was fought and men and women alike went home, not much had changed for the status of women. But there was a new question in the air concerning women’s rights. The talk of “rights as men” and liberty, brought many women to question their position and if they possibly deserved more than what was being given. Some women weren’t afraid to speak their voice. Molly Wallace wrote, “Many sarcastical observations have been handed out against female oratory; but what do them amount... No one will pretend to deny, that we should be taught to read. And if to read, why not speak?” she shared thoughts with many women