This paper endeavors to research information regarding the period around the American Revolution, and looks at some of the disadvantaged population groups and how they utilized hard-won principles to further the implementation of civil rights. Perhaps one of the principles depicted in the 'Declaration of Independence' was that relating to the equality of 'all men', declared as follows, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" (ushistory.org 1). Perhaps from this statement, women and African-Americans perceived that a history of injustices and lack of human or civil rights could be reversed; thereby enabling the possibility of freedom and implementation of human dignity for all. Despite the words 'all men', this paper submits that the intent of the U.S. legislators was to enable freedom and equality for genders; albeit an equality that was not entirely equal, but heavily biased towards the existing elitist and powerful self-interest groups.
This primary aforementioned principle has become one of the foundations of the democracy, and widely accepted throughout most Western nations, and also many countries located in different areas of the world. Due to this new legislated enactment 'The Declaration of Independence', the initial motivation by those in power, was to ensure independence from other powers; especially colonial powers, pointed out by this article extract, "whole segments of the colonial population for whom the rhetoric of freedom was never intended capitalized on its potential for radical change" (Shmoop Editorial Team 1). From this revealing historical account of what took place, it is another indicator of the prevailing 'mood' existing within those who perceived the 'elitist system' as being unacceptable; thereby enabling the motivation by the underprivileged to capitalize on an event of such historical significance.
Another impact of the American Revolution and the aforementioned awakening of different population groups, led to both economic and political pressure being exerted on the more privileged population segments to enact change towards an environment that accepted a more equitable society. This ongoing pressure and influence continued up until the American Civil War in which racial discrimination and social injustice were prevailing issues that demanded change. One of the subsequent resulting changes was the development of infrastructure and industry, thereby enabling a greater opportunity for those deprived of basic human rights. This is highlighted by a recent article which stated, "The America that existed after the end of the Civil War is nothing like we know it as today" (Smith 1), which indicates that change has been both comprehensive and relatively rapid. According to Smith, major urbanization and industrialization shaped the modern era, and research has showed that this process included the modern period of civil rights from which many changes took place.
The American Revolution laid the groundwork for a change of thinking regarding all the American population. After this revolution, the United States gained independence, following which the 'northern states' began to free their slaves, however the 'southern states' became the focal point of racial tensions due to the large African-American population being deprived of basic human rights and primarily regarded as 'slave-labor'. This was because the 'southern states' became dependent on their slaves in order to maintain their economy; thereby refusing to relinquish this valuable 'asset'. This 'forced' labor was utilized within the farming sector, including the cotton industry. Following the American Revolution, there was a growing desire to citizenship status accorded to the disadvantaged sectors of the population. This desire to be recognized and granted full citizenship status continued, with continual conflicts motivated and enacted by many of the minority groups desiring a better life, freedom and happiness as legislated within the 'Declaration of Independence'. This situation was described in this article extract, "Because large segments of the populace--particularly African-Americans, women, and men without property--have not always been accorded full citizenship rights in the American Republic, civil rights movements, or "freedom struggles," have been a frequent feature of the nation's history" (Carson 1). From this statement it is seen that the right of 'citizenship' was an issue that led to continual civil unrest throughout American history.
Moreover, if part of the aforementioned cited statement regarding the Declaration of Independence is analyzed, "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights" (ushistory.org 1), a contradiction or non-conformity is presented between a nation that portrayed itself as deeply religious and its practices. 'Their Creator' refers to God, and so according to this 'Declaration', the rights of all men were non-negotiable and constitutional. As a Christian country, racialism and the subjugation of the non-elites, were in direct conflict with the 'spirit' of the legally legislated 'Declaration; also from which it can be inferred that these unfair and perceived inhuman practices were illegal; a violation of the Declaration.
Another result of the American Revolution was the subsequent shift in thinking regarding the rights of women. This shift in the positive change of attitude towards the previously disadvantaged gender of American society is confirmed by the following point of view, "Women were also affected by the war. Property rights moved a little bit more within reach, as the men left and allowed the women to run the farm, home, or business, and sometimes combinations of the three" (US History 1). Although full citizenship status; including the right to vote, was not initially recognized and granted, property rights became more of a reality, thereby enabling a
positive influence towards a fairer distribution of rights to be enacted. In addition, prior to the American Revolution women were deprived of the right to possessions and custody of their children, as is stated by the following, "women, by law, were declared inferior to men, had no separate existence from their husbands and every one of their possessions, acquired or inherited, would be passed on to the ownership of her husband. The children in a marriage belonged to the father alone and the custody of the children" (oppapers.com).
Perhaps, the three very important issues relating to 'unalienable Rights', namely Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness can be viewed as the 'right' of a selected few prior to the American Revolution, however whilst independence was the goal of the elite and privileged, the unintended and perhaps unforeseen consequences influenced post American Revolution America. This influence has continually evolved, resulting in a sequence of change that eventually enabled the establishment of rights for full citizenship of all population groups. The creation of a human and civil rights philosophy has enabled the United States to lay claim to being the 'land of freedom and democracy. Becoming an independent country was the original primary objective of the 'War of Independence, yet subsequent history shows that perhaps greater and more far reaching changes were enabled by this historical event. These changes included the recognition and implementation of full rights including citizenship, the right to own property, the right to vote, to name but a few.
Perhaps a lesson can be learned that minority interests and elitist monopolies are
unsustainable, as true peace can only be achieved by the enablement of equal opportunity and
access to human dignity by all population groups. This essay has shown how far American values and practices have advanced since the cessation of the American Revolution; thereby enabling a positive influence towards equality for all population groups worldwide.
Works Cited
Carson, C. In Struggle: SNCC and the Black Awakening of the 1960s. 1981. Web. 30 May. 2012.
oppapers. The Impact of the American Revolution on the Women's Rights Movement. 2012. Web.
30. 2012.
Shmoop Editorial Team. "The American Revolution Summary & Analysis" Shmoop.com.
Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 30 May 2012.
Smith, N. North America No Comments Print. Myriad.com. 2011. Web. 30 May 2012.
US History. The American Revolution: Effects. US History 2006. Web. 30 May. 2012.
ushistory.org. The Declaration of Independence. Declaration of Independence. 2012. Web. 29
May. 2012.
