From 1750 to 1783, the social experiences of American colonists irreversibly transformed. Paul Cuffe's petition to the government of Massachusetts led to the advent of the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780. This document signaled the freedom of all male citizens in the state of Massachusetts. Additionally, The Tory's Day of Judgment illustrates the violent division that erupted between the American colonists and the British loyalists during this era. As demonstrated in Abigail Adams' letter to her husband, the awareness of gender equality also shaped this revolutionary era. Undoubtedly, major changes and continuities emerged within the lives of American colonists. In 1780, Paul Cuffe petitioned the government of Massachusetts …show more content…
This act imposed a "stamp duty of three pence" on all printed documents (Parliament 1). Colonists despised this act and determined that they should not be taxed without consent. While this act issued the first internal tax upon the American colonists, it also led to continuity in the social experiences of the colonists. It foreshadowed the Boston Tea Party massacre of 1773. Clearly, the American colonists continued to rebel against unwarranted taxation. However, the American colonists did begin to gain independence from France. After 1763, France ceased it's claims over North America and lost the French and Indian War (Map). Consequently, England and New Spain gained control over the American colonies. This led to changes in the social experiences of American colonists. The American colonists were regarded as uncultured and crude by the British. Thus, a pervasive sense of nationalism culminated in the lives of the colonists, as they had finally found a common enemy. The inducement of nationalism also led to the colonist's declaration of independence from Great Britain. Thomas Paine illustrated this in Common Sense. For example, he stated that until the colonists provide consent to the governing class, they "shall be in danger of having it filled by some fortunate ruffian" (Paine 1). Additionally, this document questioned the acquisition of "freedom" and "property" without the establishment of a