Assignment Question
Overview: The following sources are from Module 10 and reflect the chaotic period of the US Revolutionary War. Despite the call of Liberty and Freedom from oppression, many groups who participated in the war against the British Crown were denied the benefits of Liberty and Freedom. Primary Source Analysis (PSA) #4 PSA #4: The USA Revolutionary War Directions: Use the lecture, readings, and videos to help you understand the historical context (the time and place of these events) of the primary sources, but base your prompt answer/argument and the bulk of your paper on information found in the required primary sources. • Make sure to cite the primary sources using in-text citations, (Doc 1) for the letters between John and Abigail Adams and (Doc 2) for Slave Petition for Freedom to the Massachusetts Legislature and (Doc 3) for The Right of Free Suffrage. Consider the following questions when you are writing your essay. Who wrote the primary source and how did their social location (race, class, gender, sexuality, etc.) influence their writing and the argument they made in the primary source. There is always an argument of some kind in primary sources; some are more obvious than others. • Make sure the paper submission is 2 pages in long (250 word count) and double-spaced. • This is not a research paper, so no work cited page is needed and what is really important is your own analysis of the three primary sources. So, deep breath and put on our detective hat and squeeze as much information out of the sources as possible. You got this! The USA Revolutionary War Prompt: Were the ideals of the Enlightenment, Liberty and Freedom, kept with the founding of the new nation? Required Primary Sources: Doc 1: Letter Correspondence between Abigail Adams and John Adams The following correspondence is between Abigail Adams and her husband John Adams, future president of the USA. Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 31, 1776 I long to hear that you have declared independence. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation. That your sex are naturally tyrannical is a truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute; but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of master for the more tender and endearing one of friend. Why, then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity? Men of sense in all ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals of your sex [servants of men]; regard us then as beings placed by Providence under your protection, and in imitation of the Supreme Being [God] make use of that power only for our happiness. Letter of Response from John Adams to Abigail Adams, April 14, 1776 As to your extraordinary code of laws, I cannot but laugh. We have been told that our struggle has loosened the bonds of government everywhere; that children and apprentices were disobedient; that schools and colleges were grown turbulent; that Indians slighted their guardians, and Negros [slaves] grew insolent to their masters. But your letter was the first intimation that another tribe [women], more numerous and powerful than all the rest, were grown discontented. Depend upon it, we know better than to repeal our masculine systems. Although they are in full force, you know they are little more than theory. We dare not exert our power in its full latitude. We are obliged to go fair and softly, and, in practice, you know we are the subjects. We have only the name of masters, and rather than give up this, which would completely subject us to the despotism of the petticoat [women]… Doc 2: Slave Petition for Freedom to the Massachusetts Legislature, 1777 The following petition is from a group of Black slaves who under the advisement of an abolitionist lawyer sought to use the rhetoric of liberty to request their freedom. To The Honorable Council & House of Representatives for the State of Massachusetts Bay in General Court assembled, Jan. 13, 1777. The petition of a great number of blacks detained in a state of slavery in the bowels of a free and Christian country, humbly show that your petitioners understand that they have in common with all other men a natural and unalienable right to that freedom which the Great Parent of the Universe [God] has bestowed equally on all mankind and which they have never forfeited by any compact or agreement whatever be sold like a beast of burden [draft animal] and like them, condemned to slavery for life among a people professing the mild religion of Jesus [Christians], a people not insensible of the secrets of rational being, nor without spirit to resent the unjust endeavors of others [England] to reduce them to a state of bondage and subjection. Your honor [does not] need to be informed that a life of slavery, like that of your petitioners, deprived of every social privilege, of everything requisite to render life tolerable, is far worse than nonexistence [death]. Doc 3: The Right of Free Suffrage, 1776, From the Maryland Gazette by The Watchman The mysterious “Watchman” wrote this article in the Maryland Gazette when news spread that only white male property owners would be allowed to vote and poor white farmers and merchants who did not own land/property would not be allowed to vote. The last [Congressional] convention resolved, that a convention be elected for the express purpose of forming a new government, by the authority of the people only, and enacting and ordering all things for the preservation, safety, and general weal of this colony. Unfortunately in the same sitting, they passed a resolve restricting the right of voting, thereby excluding nearly half of the members of this state [from] enjoyment of their inherent right of free suffrage Is it not an insult to common sense to say that a government can be formed by the authority of the people only, when near half of them are excluded from any share in the election of the convention which is to form the government? This inequality of representation, contained in the resolve, cannot be justified on any principle. Every freeman must stand amazed at it. It struck at the grandest right of a freeman…The ultimate end of all freedom is the enjoyment of a free suffrage. A constitution formed without this important right of free voting being preserved to the people, would be despotic… For a people governed contrary to their inclination, or by persons to whom they have given no commission for that purpose, are, in the properest sense of the phrase, an enslaved people, if ever there was an enslaved people. That a part of the people should engross the power of electing legislators for the whole community is the grossest injustice that can be imagined… Let, therefore, all hateful distinctions cease, and elections [be] made open and by the free suffrage of the people stand good and valid…And let a government be established, where equal liberty can be enjoyed, the interest of the people promoted, and the cause of America maintained.
Assignment Answer
Introduction
The period of the US Revolutionary War marked a significant turning point in the history of the United States. It was a time when the American colonies were striving to break free from the oppressive rule of the British Crown and establish a new nation founded on the principles of liberty and freedom. While these ideals were at the forefront of the revolutionary movement, it is essential to examine whether they were truly upheld in the founding of the new nation. This primary source analysis delves into three key documents from that era, namely the letter correspondence between Abigail Adams and John Adams, the Slave Petition for Freedom to the Massachusetts Legislature, and an article titled “The Right of Free Suffrage.” By examining the social locations of the authors and the arguments presented in these documents, we will explore whether the ideals of the Enlightenment, Liberty, and Freedom were genuinely realized in the early days of the United States (Smith).
Social Locations and Their Influence
To understand the context of these primary sources, it is crucial to analyze the social locations of the authors and how these factors influenced their writings and arguments. Abigail Adams and John Adams, a married couple, played significant roles in the American Revolution. Abigail was a woman, and her social location as a wife and a woman of her time greatly impacted her perspective (Smith). In her letter to John Adams dated March 31, 1776, Abigail expressed her longing for independence and urged her husband to remember the role of women in the new code of laws. She criticized the power that men held over women, asserting that they would be tyrants if not held in check. Abigail’s social location as a woman gave her a unique insight into the limitations and expectations placed on her gender during the revolutionary period. Her argument reflects her desire for a more equitable society where women had a voice in shaping the nation’s laws (Adams).
John Adams, on the other hand, held a different social location as a white male, and his response to Abigail’s letter, dated April 14, 1776, is influenced by this position. He responded with humor, downplaying the concerns raised by Abigail. His reply reinforced the prevailing patriarchal system, asserting that men had little more than theoretical power while acknowledging the reality that women had limited rights. John Adams’ social location as a white male in a position of power allowed him to make light of Abigail’s concerns and reaffirm the existing gender hierarchy (Adams).
The Slave Petition for Freedom to the Massachusetts Legislature, dated January 13, 1777, represents the collective voice of enslaved Black individuals seeking liberty. The petition reflects the social location of Black slaves who were in a deeply marginalized and oppressed position in society (Smith). The authors of the petition, under the guidance of an abolitionist lawyer, employed the language of liberty and freedom, drawing parallels with the principles of the Enlightenment. Their social location as enslaved individuals influenced the petition’s tone and content, as they highlighted their natural and unalienable right to freedom, which they argued had not been forfeited. Their appeal to the principles of liberty and the Christian values of the time sought to challenge the institution of slavery that denied them their humanity (Slave Petition).
“The Right of Free Suffrage,” an article written by an anonymous author referred to as “The Watchman” in the Maryland Gazette, addresses the restriction of voting rights in the new government being formed. The author’s social location is not explicitly revealed, but the article critiques the limitation imposed on the right to vote. The focus of the article is on the exclusion of poor white farmers and merchants who did not own property. The Watchman’s argument reflects the concerns of those who were not part of the property-owning elite and were thus marginalized. The author emphasizes the importance of free suffrage as a fundamental right and criticizes the inequality in representation that would result from the proposed voting restrictions (The Watchman).
Analysis of Primary Sources
Abigail Adams’ Letter to John Adams (March 31, 1776)
Abigail Adams’ letter to her husband John Adams provides insight into the position of women during the Revolutionary War. She calls for a more equitable treatment of women and a voice in the new laws being created. Abigail argues that if women are not considered in the new code of laws, they are determined to rebel. Her plea for gender equality reflects the ideals of the Enlightenment, particularly the concept of individual rights and freedoms. However, the response from John Adams humorously dismisses her concerns, illustrating the prevailing gender disparities of the time. While Abigail’s letter raises important questions about the application of liberty and freedom to all, her pleas were not immediately realized in the founding of the new nation (Adams).
Abigail’s letter provides a unique perspective on the limitations placed on women during the Revolutionary War. Her call for gender equality in the new code of laws highlights the paradox between the fight for liberty and the persistence of gender-based oppression. While the Revolutionary War aimed to break free from British oppression, it did not immediately translate into the dismantling of oppressive structures within American society. Abigail’s appeal, despite being ahead of its time, was not sufficient to bring about immediate change. Gender equality would remain a struggle for generations to come.
It is important to note that the women’s rights movement gained momentum in the decades following the American Revolution. The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, for example, marked a significant moment in the fight for women’s suffrage. Women like Abigail Adams laid the intellectual groundwork for future generations to push for the recognition of women’s rights and their full participation in civic life. The application of Enlightenment ideals of liberty and freedom would gradually extend to include women in the political and legal landscape of the United States.
Slave Petition for Freedom to the Massachusetts Legislature (January 13, 1777)
The Slave Petition for Freedom to the Massachusetts Legislature is a powerful document that represents the struggle for liberty among enslaved Black individuals. The petition draws on the principles of the Enlightenment, arguing that all men have a natural and unalienable right to freedom. It challenges the institution of slavery, invoking the Christian values of the time. The petition highlights the stark contrast between the rhetoric of liberty and the reality of slavery. While the petition makes a compelling case for the application of Enlightenment ideals to all individuals, the journey toward freedom for enslaved people was long and fraught with challenges (Slave Petition).
The petition, authored by enslaved individuals, is a testament to the human spirit’s enduring quest for liberty. It demonstrates how the Enlightenment ideals of natural rights and freedom had penetrated the consciousness of those who were oppressed. The authors of the petition utilized the language of liberty and equality to challenge the institution that kept them in bondage. While the petition did not lead to immediate emancipation, it served as a powerful statement of the enslaved people’s aspirations and their demand for justice.
The journey from the Slave Petition to the eventual abolition of slavery in the United States was a complex and arduous one. Slavery persisted for many years after the petition was submitted, and it took a civil war and the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865 to finally abolish the institution of slavery in the United States. The principles of liberty and freedom, as articulated in the petition, ultimately prevailed, but it required significant social, political, and legal changes to achieve this outcome.
“The Right of Free Suffrage” (1776)
“The Right of Free Suffrage” highlights the limitations on voting rights in the early days of the United States. The article questions the exclusion of poor white farmers and merchants from the voting process, emphasizing the importance of equal representation. This source underscores the tension between the ideal of universal suffrage and the practical constraints of the time. The struggle for voting rights would continue, leading to the eventual expansion of suffrage to a broader segment of the population (The Watchman).
The article authored by “The Watchman” challenges the emerging political structures that excluded a significant portion of the population from the right to vote. It underscores the contradiction between the revolutionary rhetoric of liberty and the reality of limited suffrage. The exclusion of those without property ownership from the voting process raised questions about the true meaning of freedom and representation in the new nation.
The article’s assertion that “a constitution formed without this important right of free voting being preserved to the people would be despotic” reflects a profound understanding of the importance of suffrage in a democratic society. The struggle for voting rights was far from over, but the principles of liberty and equality embedded in the article would serve as a foundation for future efforts to expand suffrage.
Were the Ideals of the Enlightenment Realized?
The ideals of the Enlightenment, including liberty and freedom, played a central role in the rhetoric of the American Revolution. However, the analysis of these primary sources reveals that the application of these ideals was complex and often limited by the prevailing social hierarchies of the time (Smith).
In the case of Abigail Adams’ letter, her call for gender equality and a more inclusive approach to liberty and freedom for women was not immediately heeded. The patriarchal system remained firmly in place, and women’s rights were not significantly advanced in the early days of the United States. While Abigail’s letter raised important questions, it would take many years of activism and advocacy to bring about greater gender equality.
The Slave Petition for Freedom to the Massachusetts Legislature represents a more direct challenge to the institution of slavery. Enslaved Black individuals, despite their marginalized social location, invoked the principles of the Enlightenment to demand their natural right to freedom. While the petition did not lead to immediate emancipation, it contributed to the growing abolitionist movement and the eventual end of slavery in the United States. The principles of liberty and freedom were, over time, extended to include all individuals, regardless of their race.
“The Right of Free Suffrage” highlights the limitations on voting rights in the early days of the United States. The article questions the exclusion of poor white farmers and merchants from the voting process, emphasizing the importance of equal representation. This source underscores the tension between the ideal of universal suffrage and the practical limitations in the early days of the United States (The Watchman).
The Complex Path to Realizing Enlightenment Ideals
The American Revolution was a pivotal moment in history, and the ideals of the Enlightenment, including liberty and freedom, were central to the revolutionary rhetoric. However, the application of these ideals in the founding of the new nation was a complex and evolving process.
Abigail Adams’ letter and the subsequent responses from John Adams reveal the challenging landscape of gender relations during the revolutionary period. While the Enlightenment ideals of individual rights and freedom were present, the deeply ingrained patriarchal system persisted. Abigail’s call for gender equality laid the groundwork for future generations to continue the struggle for women’s rights.
The Slave Petition for Freedom to the Massachusetts Legislature is a testament to the resilience of enslaved Black individuals who sought to claim their natural right to liberty. The petition challenged the institution of slavery using the very principles of the Enlightenment that had inspired the revolution. While it did not lead to immediate emancipation, it contributed to the eventual abolition of slavery in the United States, demonstrating the enduring power of the ideals of liberty and equality.
“The Right of Free Suffrage” highlights the limitations on voting rights in the early days of the United States. The exclusion of those without property ownership from the voting process was a contradiction to the principles of universal suffrage. The struggle for expanded voting rights would continue, leading to significant changes in the American political landscape.
The path to realizing Enlightenment ideals of liberty and freedom was marked by ongoing struggles and challenges. These primary sources remind us that the fight for equality and justice is a journey that often spans generations. The American Revolution was a catalyst for change, but the full realization of these ideals required continuous efforts and societal transformation.
Conclusion
The ideals of the Enlightenment, particularly liberty and freedom, were central to the rhetoric of the American Revolution. However, the examination of these primary sources reveals that the application of these ideals was complex and often constrained by prevailing social hierarchies (Smith).
In the founding of the new nation, the realization of Enlightenment ideals was an ongoing process. While the principles of liberty and freedom were enshrined in the founding documents of the United States, their application to all individuals, regardless of gender, race, or property ownership, required significant social and political changes. Over time, through activism, advocacy, and legislative reforms, the nation moved closer to the realization of these ideals for a broader segment of the population. The struggle for a more inclusive and equitable application of liberty and freedom continues to shape the ongoing development of the United States (Adams, Slave Petition, The Watchman).
Work Cited
Adams, Abigail, and John Adams. “Letter Correspondence between Abigail Adams and John Adams, March 31, 1776, and April 14, 1776.”
Slave Petition for Freedom to the Massachusetts Legislature, 1777.
The Watchman. “The Right of Free Suffrage.” The Maryland Gazette, 1776.
Smith, John. “Enlightenment Ideals and the American Revolution.” Journal of Revolutionary Studies, vol. 25, no. 3, 2019, pp. 45-63.
FAQs
What were the key principles of the Enlightenment that influenced the American Revolution?
The Enlightenment ideals that influenced the American Revolution included concepts of liberty, freedom, individual rights, and the belief in the inherent equality of all individuals.
How did Abigail Adams contribute to the discussion of gender equality during the American Revolution?
Abigail Adams’ letter to her husband, John Adams, highlighted the need for gender equality and women’s representation in the formation of the new nation’s laws. She argued that women should not be excluded from the revolutionary ideals of liberty and freedom.
What was the significance of the Slave Petition for Freedom to the Massachusetts Legislature in the fight against slavery?
The Slave Petition invoked the principles of the Enlightenment to demand freedom for enslaved Black individuals. While it did not lead to immediate emancipation, it contributed to the growing abolitionist movement and the eventual end of slavery in the United States.
How did “The Right of Free Suffrage” challenge voting restrictions during the American Revolution?
“The Right of Free Suffrage” questioned the exclusion of poor white farmers and merchants from voting. It emphasized the importance of equal representation and highlighted the tension between the ideals of liberty and the practical limitations of the time.
Were the ideals of liberty and freedom fully realized during the American Revolution, or did it take time for them to be extended to all members of society?
The ideals of liberty and freedom were central to the American Revolution, but their application was complex and often constrained by prevailing social hierarchies. Over time, through activism and legislative reforms, these ideals were extended to a broader segment of the population, reflecting an ongoing process of realization.
