Questions and Answers
Who urged her husband to remember America's women in the new government?
What slogan describes the British idea of authority in contrast to American ideas of equality?
The floor of freedom is as level as water
Aristotle defined democracy as a system in which the entire people governed directly, which is aligned with the condition of _____ societies.
primitive
What significant change did Pennsylvania adopt regarding its legislature?
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John Adams believed that propertyless men should vote.
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
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What did the Bill For Establishing Religious Freedom aim to prevent?
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Which action was taken by many slave owners after the revolution?
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What was the status of slaves in New York and New Jersey by 1790?
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Patriot causes led to a significant decrease in the number of slaves.
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What was the main argument of petitions for freedom presented to NE courts?
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The PA emancipation act stated that all children born of a slave mother had to serve _____ years before they could be free.
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What percentage of free Americans remained loyal to Britain during the revolution?
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Who organized the Ladies Association to raise money for soldiers?
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Study Notes
Abigail Adams
- Advocated for women's rights, urging her husband to consider their voice in government.
- Resented male dominance and believed women should not be bound by laws without representation.
- John Adams dismissed her concerns as insolent, believing in a natural societal order.
A Well Ordered Society in Britain
- Britain valued obedience to authority, with rulers exerting power over subjects.
- The American concept of equality challenged this traditional hierarchy.
Definitions of Democracy
- Aristotle defined democracy as direct governance by the people.
- The Revolutionary War spurred aspirations for equality, emphasizing government serving the people's interests.
Expansion of Political Nation
- Militia seen as fostering political participation among lower classes.
- Boston letter in 1774 declared all social classes becoming engaged in politics.
Pennsylvania Revolution
- Pre-war elites were against independence; young radicals like Paine and Rush pushed for equality.
- Pennsylvania established a unicameral legislature elected annually, expanding voting rights.
New Constitutions
- All states adopted new constitutions based on republicanism; authority derived from the consent of the governed.
Thoughts on Government
- John Adams advocated for balanced government with legislative and executive powers preventing infringement of rights.
- Most states created bicameral legislatures; only Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Vermont deviated.
Propertyless Men Voting
- John Adams argued that propertyless men lack sound judgment, equating equality with liberty.
Democratization of Voting
- Southern states retained property qualifications for voting, while Vermont allowed voting for all free white males.
Catholic Americans
- The support from France during the war elevated the political role of Catholics.
- The Massachusetts constitution restored civil rights for Catholics, exemplified by Bishop James Carroll.
Decline of Anglican Church
- State taxes supporting the Anglican Church faced resistance from dissenters and led to disestablishment.
Separation of Church and State
- Jefferson advocated for a strict separation, considering it essential for religious liberty and individual rights.
Caveats of Religious Freedom
- Exclusions persisted in voting rights for Jews and stringent Protestant-only office holding in several states.
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
- Jefferson's 1786 bill opposed state-imposed religion, promoting individual conscience and freedom of worship.
Moravian Brethren
- Younger Moravian church members asserted their individual liberties, challenging elder authority.
Influence of Churches
- Church leaders adapted their messages during a resurgence of liberty. New denominations like free will Baptists emerged.
Virtuous Citizens
- Pennsylvania's constitution linked citizenship with recognition of God and urged laws against immorality.
Free Labor
- Indentured servitude was increasingly viewed as incompatible with republican ideals; free labor was vital for the northern economy, contrasted with slavery in the south.
Ebenzer Fox
- An apprentice in Massachusetts who liberated himself by fleeing to Rhode Island before the revolution.
1784 NY Shipload of Indentured Servants
- Resulted in a perception that their status contradicted the ideals of liberty for which America stood.
Land Distribution
- John Adams and Noah Webster supported equitable land distribution, seeing it as foundational for national freedom.
Inflation
- Post-war inflation spiked after Congress issued significant paper currency, which led to incidents of hoarding and price surges.
Price Control
- The Committee of Safety intervened to manage prices due to rampant inflation and extravagant spending.
The Wealth of Nations
- Adam Smith's concept of the "invisible hand" posited that free economic activity would regulate itself better than government oversight.
Loyalists in America
- Estimated 20-25% of Americans remained loyal to Britain, particularly in New York and Pennsylvania; many faced coercive loyalty oaths and loss of property.
Dr. Abner Beebe
- Connecticut physician attacked for speaking against British governance, highlighting the tension between loyalty and dissent.
John Wentworth
- New Hampshire governor whose estates were seized due to his loyalist stance.
Indians
- The Treaty of Paris curtailed Native American lands, leading to tensions over territorial claims and conflicts, notably against the Iroquois during the revolution.
America vs Britain
- America framed itself as a nation of free individuals juxtaposed against Britain's perceived tyranny.
James Otis
- Expressed the conflict between personal and collective freedoms in the context of slavery.
Dr. Samuel Johnson
- Criticized American slavery, questioning the hypocrisy of freedom claims.
Hypocrisy of America
- Founding fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, who owned slaves, embodied the contradictions of liberty and slavery.
Petitions of Freedom
- Arguments for liberty framed in the context of African displacement and rights were made in New England courts.
Lemuel Hayes
- African American patriot and writer advocating for liberty, emphasizing equal rights deserved by all.
Phillis Wheatley
- First published African American poet, challenging notions of racial inferiority through her writings.
Slave Exodus
- An estimated 100,000 slaves fled to British forces for freedom during the war; many were evacuated after the conflict.
Voluntary Emancipation
- Some slave owners, like Robert Carter III, chose to free their slaves, reflecting changing attitudes toward slavery.
PA Emancipation Act
- Required children born to slave mothers to complete a lengthy period of servitude before being granted freedom.
Slow Abolition in North
- Despite abolition happening, significant numbers of slaves persisted in northern states like New York and New Jersey.
Black Communities
- By 1810, about 200,000 free Blacks formed communities with schools and churches, participating in civic life, though voting rights varied.
Liberty Displaying the Arts and Sciences
- Samuel Jennings' artwork symbolized freedom with motifs like broken chains linking emancipation to liberty.
Deborah Sampson
- Female soldier disguised as a man who fought in the war and received a soldier's pension posthumously.
Esther Reed and Sarah Bache
- Organized a Ladies Association to fund efforts for soldiers, demonstrating women's active role during the revolution.
Lucy Knox
- Advocated for equality within marriage, urging her husband to share power rather than dominate.
Rights of Women
- Coverture laws limited women's legal rights; participation in political matters was largely denied.
Republican Motherhood
- Benjamin Rush argued for women's education to elevate their role in teaching future generations about liberty and governance.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key concepts from Chapter 6 of 'Give Me Liberty'. This quiz focuses on important historical figures like Abigail Adams and their contributions to women’s rights during the formation of American government. Perfect for review or study sessions.
