Transcript Lesson 7.4: The Legacy of the War

Lesson 7.4b:
Issues After the
War
Today we will
examine several
issues facing the
United States after
independence was
won.
Vocabulary
• examine – look closely at
• issue – a point in question or a matter
that is in dispute
• republicanism – belief that government
should be based on the consent of the
people, who exercise their power by
voting for political representatives
Check for Understanding
• What are going to do today?
• What happens at a physical examination?
• Why is dress code an issue for some
students?
What We Already Know
The colonies wanted independence from
Britain so they could have a government
that was more just.
What We Already Know
The self–evident
truths and
unalienable rights
expressed by
Jefferson in the
Declaration of
Independence
became the goals
of the American
Revolution.
What We Already Know
After defeating the mighty British military and
negotiating the Treaty of Paris in 1783,
American independence became a reality.
Republicanism
• The American Revolution was not just a war,
but a change in ideas about government.
• Before the war, Americans had demanded
their rights as English citizens.
• But after declaring their independence, they
replaced that goal with the idea of
republicanism.
Republicanism
• Republicanism is the idea that instead of a
king, the people would rule.
• The government would obtain its authority
from the citizens, who exercise their power
by voting for political representatives.
Republicanism
For this system to work, individuals would
have to place the good of the country above
their own interests.
Republicanism
• At first, only men
who owned land
were allowed to vote
or hold public office.
• Women could not
vote at all.
Republicanism
• However, women could help the
nation by teaching their children the
virtues that benefited public life.
• Such virtues included honesty, duty,
and the willingness to make
sacrifices.
Get your whiteboards
and markers ready!
16. How did Americans’ goals for
government change after declaring
independence?
A. They wanted to set up an effective government with a strong executive branch.
B. They replaced the demand for rights as
English citizens with the idea of republicanism.
C. Most Americans wanted a government ban
on slavery.
D. Women demanded the right to vote.
E. Churches began to receive tax money in
some states.
17. What does the idea of
republicanism mean?
A. Individuals should place the good of the
country above their own interests.
B. The people should rule, not a king.
C. Only people who have wealth or own
property should participate in government.
D. The government's powers should be
limited by a written constitution.
E. Citizens exercise their power by voting for
political representatives.
Choose all that are true!
Religious Freedom
• As part of their liberty, Americans wanted
to keep religion separate from government.
• Before the war, some laws discriminated
against certain religions.
• Some states had not allowed Jews or
Catholics to hold public office.
Religious Freedom
• After the war, states began to abolish
those laws.
• They also ended the practice of using
tax money to support churches.
Slavery
• Many people began to see a conflict between
slavery and the ideal of liberty.
• Vermont outlawed slavery, and Pennsylvania
passed a law to free slaves gradually.
Slavery
• Individual African
Americans also tried to
end slavery.
• For example, Elizabeth
Freeman sued for her
freedom in a Massa–
chusetts court and
won.
• Her victory in 1781 and
other similar cases
ended slavery in that
state.
Slavery
• With freedom, African
Americans began to form
their own institutions.
• For example, the
preacher Richard Allen
helped start the Free
African Society.
• That society encouraged
African Americans to help
each other.
• Allen also founded the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, the first AfricanAmerican church in the United States.
Influence on Other Countries
• The American Revolution also influenced
people in other countries.
• The Declaration of Independence was
widely circulated in France, and helped
inspire the French Revolution in 1789.
Influence on Other Countries
• Revolutionaries in Latin
America began to rise
up against colonial
powers in the late
1700s and early 1800s.
• By 1830, most of the
former European
colonies in Central and
South America had won
independence.
A New National Government
• Perhaps the main issue facing Americans
after the war was how to shape their national
government.
• American anger over British taxes, violation
of rights, and control of trade had caused the
war.
• Now the United States needed a government
that would protect citizens’ rights and
economic freedom.
Get your whiteboards
and markers ready!
How did American independence begin
to change life for African Americans?
A. Some states voted to end slavery.
B. Blacks were given the right to vote.
C. Churches and other organizations were
formed to help African Americans.
D. Most blacks became landowners and
small businessmen .
E. Some African Americans were able to
win their freedom in the courts.
Choose all that are true!
18. How did the American Revolution
and the Declaration of Independence
influence other countries?
A. Canada also began to demand its
independence from Britain.
B. They inspired the French to overthrow
their monarchy.
C. Nations in Central and South America
fought to win their own independence.
D. Britain decided to give all its colonies
independence.
Choose all that are true!