economic and slavery issues Flashcards
evidence that there was a revolution in society
some states abolished slavery
women gained more equality
indentured servants disappeared in society - gained freedom through their military service
acquisition of territory west of the appalachians created more opportunities
new men sat in states legislatures - challenged traditional social and political supremacy of the elites. they believed they were entitled to share in the direction of a nation they were helping to create and demanded that there interests be considered even if they conflicted with those of the rich - significant realignment of relations between the elites and their social inferiors
many ordinary americans became officers in both the continental army and militia units as a result of merit, not status
evidence that there was not a revolution in society
social classes did not change significantly
general pattern of land holding didn’t change
indentured servitude had been declining before the war
america remained a land of self sufficient farmers
limited effect on slavery and women
no attempt to redistribute wealth or to promote social equality
negative economic impacts of war
large numbers of american merchant ships were seized by the royal navy
areas that experienced significant military operations suffered - property and destroyed by troops on both sides
american trade was devastated by the british blockade and by the fact that production was reduced to a third of the pre war levels
new england fishing industry temporarily destroyed
hyperinflation
military requisitioning of wagons had a disruptive effect on internal transport
plantation economies of the southern states were disrupted by the flight of enslaved people seeking british protection
positive economic impacts of war
freed from the constraints of the navigation acts - export directly to european markets
privateering was a risky but very profitable operation - american privateers captured british vessels worth £18 million
sharp reduction in imports of manufactured goods from britain had a stimulating effect on the american iron, paper, texitle, pottery and shoe making industries
military demands boosted economic production of uniforms, munitions and guns
farmers outside immediate war zones profited from selling food to various armies
british held areas especially new york city boomed during the war
some traders such as robert morris, who won contracts for military supplies made huge profits
slavery in the northern states
even before the war, white americans, particularly quakers, began to denounce slavery - 1771 massachussetts assembly banned the slave trade with africa. rhode island and connecticut followed in 1774
only 3% of new england’s population were enslaved and 6% of the middle colonies population
vermont banned slavery in its 1777 consitution
1780 - pennsylavnia adopted a law requiring gradual emancipation of enslaved people when they turned 28 years old . rhode island and connecticut in 1774
between 1781 and 1783 massachusetts courts ended slavery in the state by a series of decisions in response to suits brought by enslaved people who sought their freedom based on 1780s constitutions which declared all men free
in new york and new jersey, opposition was particularly strong to delay the passage of gradual emancipation laws until 1799 and 1804
slavery in the southern states
90% of enslaved people lived in the south
southern white people were determined to keep slavery because they saw it as an instrument for increasing production and keeping black people in their place
anti slavery agitation had little impact
most significant change after 1783 was the liberalisation of the manumission laws - laws that allowed wonders to free slaves
after 1783 there was a dramatic increase in the number of free black people - between 1782 and 1810, the number rose from 2000 to 30,000 - far less freed in the carolinas and georgia
virginia and maryland banned participation in the slave trade in 1778 and 1783 but these actions were motivated by economic interests since it would maintain the value of their slaves
once cotton became a profitable crop in the 1790s the demand for enslaved people massively increased
mercy otis warren
political writer and propagandist of the american revolution
published poems and plays that attacked royal authority in massachussetts and urged colonists to resist british infringements on colonial rights and liberties
issued a pamphlet over the us constitutions in 1788 that opposed ratifications of the document
molly pitcher
carried water to both the cannon and soldiers in her husband’s battery
when william hays collapsed or was wounded she took his place in the gun crew
21st february 1822 - awarded an annual grant of $40 for ‘services she rendered’
phillis wheatley
first published african american poet
purchased by wheatley family of boston who taught her to read and wrote and encouraged her poetry once they saw her talent
influences george washington
impact of war on women
20,000 served in military forces as cooks and laundry workers
not allowed to vote or hold public office
remained subordinate to men
expected to confine themselves to traditional domestic roles
