Wartime Experiences of the Revolution, Essay Example

The American Revolution had many economic and social consequences on the colonies. During the war, there was an extreme need for supplies to help the war effort in the forms of food, clothing, and ammunition. Therefore, during this period, women, slaves, and natives were an integral part of ensuring that these goods would be available and were considered a necessary part of the war effort. After the war had ended, unemployment was at an all-time high and the economy was failing. As a consequence, women, enjoyed an enhanced social status compared to their pre-war roles, while the lifestyle of slaves and natives diminished.

After the revolutionary war, many men were required to work long hours to support their families. As a consequence, the female presence in the home transitioned to a management position, which required overseeing the home, farm, and businesses. After some time, this work enabled women to have property rights. In the case of their husbands’ death, they would be able to inherit all land and money, and be able to take care of their children as they saw fit.

During the revolutionary war, slaves and natives had experienced increased social status because they were needed to help with the war effort. The Native Americans largely fought for the British in an attempt to remove the colonists from their land and gain power. The Continental Congress had written to several Native American tribes in an attempt to keep them out of the war. Since these people disobeyed the wishes of the colonies, they were not treated favorably after the war (Gilbert, 2012). As a consequence, conflict with the Native Americans continued after this period. On the other hand, slaves had participated on both the sides of the British and the Patriots during the war because both groups promised them freedom (Kaplan et al., 1989). Ultimately however, the Patriots went back on their promise and the slaves returned to the same social status they had experienced before the war despite having put their lives on the line for the colonists.

References

Gilbert A. (2012). Black Patriots and Loyalists: Fighting for Emancipation in the War for Independence. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Kaplan S, Kaplan EN. (1989). The Black Presence in the Era of the American Revolution. Amherst, Massachusetts: The University of Massachusetts Press.