Unit 3: Topic 6 - The Influence of Revolutionary Ideals

Question 1

How did the American Revolution influence calls for the abolition of slavery and equal treatment for African-Americans?

Answer 1

While the language of the Revolutionary War would appear to support equality, the reality was more complicated. African-Americans would end up fighting on both sides of the conflict for freedom, either from the British or from slavery in the colonies.

One of the more significant examples was Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation which promised freedom for any slave or indentured servant who fought on the side of the British against the colonists.

Question 2

How did the American Revolution influence calls for increased democracy within the new states?

Answer 2

The ideology and energy of the American Revolution helped promote calls to expand voting. While most demographics were unable to vote during this time, several states would reduce or eliminate property requirements for voting, expanding the group of white males that were able to exercise this right.

An example is the Quakers who developed the first antislavery society in Philadelphia in 1775.

Question 3

What was Republican Motherhood?

Answer 3

Republican Motherhood was the idea of educating women with democratic principles so they could pass on these ideas to their children. Since they had such a large influence in their household, basic education in patriotic American values would help the country as a whole.

Question 4

How did the ideals of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Indepedence influence independence movements in other parts of the world?

Answer 4

France
-The French Revolution was similarly influenced by the Enlightenment and resentment towards an oppressive monarchy and a lack of democratic representation. The U.S. Declaration of Independence even served as a model when drafting the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen” in 1789.

Haiti
Haitian slaves embraced the ideals of both the American Revolution and the French Revolution in rebelling against their French masters. In 1804, they overthrew the French regime.

-Although the U.S. did not support the Haitian Revolution (led by Toussaint L’ouverture), they provided an example of a successful rebellion against a European colonial monarchy in the Western hemisphere

Latin America
-countries including Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, and Chile overthrew the colonial powers within their countries and declared their own independence, partially inspired by the global revolutions initiated in the United States