HIST 190 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Price Gouging, Toleration, Coverture
Document Summary
Social aspects of the revolution and the creation of a national identity. The revolutionary war was fought for independence but also by different groups with different groups with different agendas as to what the new nation should become. The revolution shifted notions of liberty away from english individualism liberty to a border sense of liberty which incorporated equality. The rejection of monarchies and nobles represented a shift in societal structure- traditionally inequality maintained social order. At the same time, the elites maintained control. Slavery also was not abolished in most places, although the rhetoric of the american revolution would foster abolitionism and lead to its implementation in some states. Many populations began to express the desire for more access to equality and less distinction along elite/plebeian lines. Democracy signaled mob rule to many among the elite, but to access to representation became the accepted norm. Universal male suffrage and freedom of religion were becoming standard demands.
