Paine Thomas
Thomas Paine was a political writer and philosopher born in England who moved in 1774 to America. He wrote a pamphlet titled Common Sense in 1776, two years after his migration, which firmly promoted independence and persuaded large numbers of prominent American colonists that the time had come for them to break free from British control. Paine made a major convincing and enthusiastic statement to the colonists in his pamphlet that the cause of liberty was fair and urgent. Also, he was able to reassure the loyalties who view themselves as subjects to the king to go against the monarchy rule.
i) The Sons of Liberty
Sons of Liberty were an organization founded by Boston Patriot Samuel Adams among the Thirteenth American Colonies to protect the rights of the colonists and to fight taxation by the British government. The organization was very vocal against the Stamp Act in 1765 and played a major role in fighting it. The organization remained active even at the time of the American Revolution was taking place and their action facilitated the Revolution.
ii) Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams is one of the women who directly participated in the American Revolutionary War. She made ammunitions for soldiers during the Revolutionary War. She is also remembered for advocating for the rights of women during and after the American Revolutionary War through her numerous letters to her husband, John Adams, who spends many of his days away from home due to his various revolutionary and ministerial duties.
iii) Joseph Brant
Joseph Brant was a Mohawk military commander and a political leader during and after the American Revolution. He is remembered for his courageous act of leading the British troops from the Great Britain side and loyalists to the King against the American Colonists who were fighting to gain their independence from the British during the American Revolutionary War. During the darkest time of the war, his fame enabled him to meet great politicians of his generation like George Washington and the likes of King George III.
Part Two
i) Briefly describe the experience/contributions of the Native Americans, slaves or black Americans, and women in the American Revolution and Early Republic.
During wars, food is normally scarce; slaves or the black Americans hunted and grew crops to feed the side they were on. The Native Americans provided strategic military assistance that decided the outcome/struggle on the opposing side. Many women found themselves in a position of having to defend their families from attacks by the British and Native American soldiers. Many women also were involved in keeping track or recording of the war. Women sewed uniforms and blankets for soldiers at war, took care and mended wounded, hurt, and injured soldiers. After the war had subsided, demand for labor escalated and many women acquired jobs outside their homes, even more physically challenging jobs.
ii) How did transition to an American republic improve or diminish the position of the Native American, slaves or Black Americans, and the women?
The American Revolution reinforced the commitment to end slavery, but it also brought a radical new idea about equality and liberty which challenged slavery. Slaves were the bigger gainers because within a short period of time they had gained freedom to the extent of starting their own institution like Richard Allen’s African Methodist Church.
