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Founding Fathers

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Some have described the founding fathers as "rich whites guys who didn't want to pay their taxes." This school of thought cites the fact that the American Revolution was a political revolution rather than a social revolution. Please comment on this statement. Do you think that it is accurate or do you disagree. Please be sure to include arguments or evidence to support your position.
Some have described the Founding Fathers as “rich white guys who did not want to pay their taxes”, which would make the American Revolution a political revolution rather than a social revolution. I believe the American Revolution was truly a political revolution and not a social revolution. Some examples of social revolutions occurred in France (1789), Russia (1917), and in China (1949). In a social revolution the foundations of old order are destroyed and power is taken from the ruling elite or royalty and given to a new social group.
The American Revolution created the United States by transforming a monarchial society, where the colonists were ruled by British Crown, into a republic. Citizens of a republic are directly involved in the political process. The average citizen such as merchants, farmers, sailors, traders, and villagers now had political significance. It was impossible for elites to openly oppress ordinary people.
Before the American Revolution, there was a low percentage of white men participating in politics. Major political offices were held by an exclusive group of wealthy merchants, lawyers, and plantation owners. Political parties were nonexistent. Participation and interest in politics climbed as British Parliament rejected the idea of colony self-rule and attempted to crush the rebellion by closing ports, imposing strict trade acts, and forced the housing of British troops. Voter turnout, contested elections, political pamphleteering, and the amount of ordinary people involved in the political process increased.
The American Revolution caused an increase in social expectations. In regards to voting, public offices were to be elected by the people and voting was extended to a larger proportion of the population. As a result farmers and laborers started to participate in state legislative elections. Men who represented the interests of the people were elected to office. A new breed of state leaders were less wealthy, more mobile, and single, unlike leaders before the Revolution. State assemblies and legislation events were made public.
The American Revolution was a radical revolution at the time because no revolution before centered on commitment to liberty, equality, government of the people, and rule of law. In today’s America problems with slavery, women’s rights, and religious freedom do not exist. However, shortly after the American Revolution, slavery, women’s rights, and freedom from religious persecution became problems, questioned in ways impossible before the American Revolution.
The Revolution changed the lives of women. Before and throughout the revolution, many women became political activists and were involved in the boycott of British goods. During the Revolution, women produced items for the war effort and ran their husband’s farms and businesses. After the War, women protested against male power and demanded respect in the and outside the house. The American Revolution was truly a political revolution that led to many firsts in the political world.

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