Ben Streeter Undeniably the American Revolution brought about may changes; how could the formation of a new

country not? Because of Americas separation from Britian because of intolerable acts done by Britain, political balance shifted, the main focus of the Revolution, from monarchical to democratic, economic trends became more self sufficient and social levels, first believed to change for the better for discriminated groups, changed only slightly.

In ceding from Britain, America invariably had to adopt a new form of government. Democracy became the strived for form. This appealed to the masses because of a sense that every person mattered politically. Because of cessation, America had to create political alliances, one of which was with the Native Americans. This is seem in the peacefulness of the Chickasaw Indians and the Americans. The Americans smoked with the Indians at their fires, a sign of good will. Yet in 1786, only three years after friendliness, the United Indian Nations spoke out saying the Americans have not abided by their treaties and have taken on more alliances without their counsel. This American idea of not abiding to treaties is even more driven by the beliefs of many early presidents: that foreign alliances should be avoided.

At the time of cessation, the Articles of Confederation were created. They left the federal government weak and state with much power. This, however, led to many disagreements and quarrels. In 1787, Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams states in a letter to Thomas Jefferson how much dissent is in her native state. This could only be solved by compromise. Compromise came in the form of the Constitution which gave more power to the federal government. Furthermore, the Bill of Rights was also a great piece of compromise.

After separating from Britain and in the interim of war, America was shut of from trade with Britian, its biggest exporter. Because of things like the Embargo Act, they had to learn to be self sufficient. Agriculture was the biggest industry though there were other large ones as well such as fur trade. There were even organizations for agriculture such as the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture. This illustrates agricultures heavy importance.

Sadly, the slave trade also was an economic powerhouse. Not only was the trade itself pofitable, but the labor they provided spurred economic growth. Tobacco, the #1 crop of this time, was difficult to handle and the slaves labored intensively, providing the necessary labor. Later cotton, with the invention of the cotton gin, led to the amplification of this peculiar institution. However, the Northwest Ordinance did call that no new state would have slavery in some areas. There was a sentiment against slavery.

There was also a general sentiment for the benefit of minorities, slaves, women and Indians. The women were seen as house figures. Republican Motherhood was a common concept, that women should instill civic values in their children. Indians were treated poorly ad often treaties with them were broken (United Indian Nations). However womens rights activists began to spring up. They often also were abolitionists. Molly Wallace, one of the first valedictorians of the Young Ladies Academy at Philadelphia, makes note of the discrimination of women in her valedictory address. The fact that there is a womens school shows growth of womens rights. Abigail Adams even asked her husband, John Adams, to remember the ladies, trying to get better rights for women. Also, because of the hatred of Britain, Tories were often shunned. This sentiment, however, eventually died out with the re-increase of trade and friendship with Britain.

In a time of great change and revolutions, the American people successfully morphed as needed. The political system shifter to be more democratic, the economic to be more self sufficient, and the social to be more accepting, albeit minusculely.