Assignment
The American Revolution was not truly revolutionary. Unlike later revolutions in France, Haiti, Russia, China, and Cuba, the American Revolution did not result in broad changes in American society."
Writing Prompt: In a thoughtful, well-organized essay of 4-6 pages, evaluate the statement above by selecting ONE group in American society (women, African Americans, Native Americans, the working classes, elite men) and examining their experience of the Revolutionary era. This essay must be thesis-driven and use information fromAT LEAST TWO primary source documents to support its argument. To fully answer this question, you will need to describe conditions for your group before, during, and after the American Revolution and ANALYZE the changes (or lack thereof) experienced by your group. Remember - just DESCRIBING these changes is not a sufficient answer - you will also need to ANALYZE and EXPLAIN how and why change occurred (or didn't occur).
The following primary source documents will be useful in writing your papers:
• Pontiac, Two Speeches (VoF)
• Abigail and John Adams Debate Women's Rights (BB)
• Noah Webster on Equality (VoF)
• Petition of Slaves to the Massachusetts Legislature (VoF)
• James Madison, The Federalistno. 51 (VoF)
• Pennsylvania Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery (BB)
• Thomas Jefferson on Race and Slavery (VoF)
• Judith Sargent Murray on the Equality of the Sexes (VoF)
• Tecumseh on Indians and Land (VoF)