FONER CHAPTER 6 Discussion of Freedoms

What changes occurred due to the Revolution? (Impact) To what degree was the Revolution a radical one? (In what ways…) Social Political Economic Intellectual To what degree do state government reflect the ideals of the revolution? Essential Questions:

Freedom - Economic “free labor” replaces indenture & apprenticeship (not republican) Greater contrast – slavery & freedom Emphasis on equality (of opportunity) Land = access to opportunity and freedom Smith- The Wealth of Nations – “invisible hand” – capitalist base of US Two visions of economic freedom – public welfare or individual rights (and best way to achieve)

Freedom - Religious Separation of church and state Free exercise – both idea in First Amendment Religion still seen as needed for public morality & virtue – Christianity favored Religious pluralism and diversity becomes the pattern

Freedom - Indians Loss of BOP ability, loss of land, loss of independence and culture Freedom came to mean protection of land, culture and independence In NW Ordinance – land not taken w/o consent – but …… No citizenship Nations and treaty system = method to take land Assimilation goal – Five Civilized tribes Battle of Fallen Timbers; Treaty of Greenville 1795

Freedom – African Americans Ideas of universal rights – freedoms – D of I Freedom petitions – Quok Walker case Free black communities Gradual emancipation - neonatal emancipation Some states gave right to political participation “citizens of color” Constitution – “other persons” (later Dred Scott Case)

Freedom – Loyalists Represented all classes – 20-25% - revealed class tensions Feared anarchy and disorder Land confiscated – not compensated postwar (elites generally purchased) 100, ,000 left Pattern – freedom of expression – speech/press limited during crisis period ( new internal enemies)

Republican Principles: Political Innovations/Changes Increased role for legislature; decreased power of executive Written constitutions w/ Bill of Rights Separation of powers Decreased property qualifications to vote More balanced representation of the backcountry in legislatures Amending process

Republican Principles: Social Innovations/Changes No aristocracy – merit, egalitarianism Separation of church and state Anti-slavery movement begins – Quok Walker case Women’s education and literacy; some legal rights – “Republican Motherhood” Sense of opportunity economically Sense of right to political participation First labor organizations and major strikes - class

Limitations: African Americans – tension between liberty and equality  Property critical – gain status, wealth  Propertyless = dangerous; thus free propertyless blacks = danger to white liberty  Limitations on importation of slaves both N and S  By 1800 gradual or immediate abolition of slavery in the N  Slavery no longer national institution – becomes southern institution –”peculiar”  Intensified sectional developments and differences