Sunday, September 9, 2007

The Radicalism of the American Revolution

The American Revolution was different. There were no bombings or evil dictators. It is considered conservative. Unlike the French Revolution, it was focused on changing the government rather than society. However, by shifting from a monarchy to a republic, social relationships changed.

In addition to legally creating the US, the American Revolution converted Americans into liberal, democratic, and modern individuals. It made the pursuit of happiness a goal for all people, regardless of their back ground or social rank. The American Revolution and the social, political, and cultural changes that took place in the eighteenth century are linked. The Revolution is responsible for this social transformation.

America was a monarchical society before the revolution. This means that all people were subjects of the king. Nonetheless, English subjects were granted more liberty then the subjects of other counties. The British at home and the colonists celebrated their liberty equally. The British government focused so much on liberty that they had their trials by jury, their freedom of speech, and their right to trade and travel. In other words, Englishmen truly felt they were independent.

In my opinion, the American Revolution freed the colonists even though they thought they were already free. Consequently, they gained more liberty as well as confidence. However, it is irritating to see how this struggle for freedom still managed to leave slave emotions out of the picture. Although women were also left out, they were not as poorly treated. However, slaves were considered property. Nonetheless, slaves are still human, and slavery should have been abolished during this great acquisition of independence.

The American Revolution changed the country forever. The Englishmen acquired true freedom. In addition, social relationships were changed. Finally, it paved the way for the abolition of slavery as well as for women's rights.

2 comments:

Mr. Brush said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr. Brush said...

C,
I'm not sure if you are summarizing the first two chapters of the book or the all of it. If the latter is true you only wrote about the summary in three paragraphs. The last two being your opinion(which isn't necessarily good in a "book report")and an overall weak-somewhat juvenile summary of the book. Besides the fact that you didn't describe the parts of Wood's Pulitzer Prize winning book, except for writing about ranks within a monarchial society before the Revolution.
If the former is true, the same last two paragraphs are not at all appropriate because you have only 5 paragraphs in order to describe 30 pages. meaning, you need all the paragraphs you can get to write some justice on what you read. If you wish to state your opinion, don't say the words "In my opinion". Simply weave your opinion into the summary of your post.
Frankly C, I am expecting better work from you this year than this mediocre post. Do better next week.

"C/D"

MB