The War for Independence Was a Social Revolution- by Gordon S. Wood (R)

In “The War for Independence Was a Social Revolution”, the author gives reasons to impy that the American Revolution was a Social Revolution. The author explains that the American Revolution was as radical and social as any revolution in history. The author’s main point is that the American Revolution brought a sense of equality across America.

The American Revolution does not seem like a social revolution from an outside view. One class did not overthrow another; the poor remained poor and the rich became richer. However, the social relationships between the people changed, the way they were connected one to another. Before, in 1760, America was only a collection of colonies put together along a narrow strip of the Atlantic coast. It was undeveloped economically and politically because America had been under Great Britain’s strict trade rules and monarchy rule. Since the American Revolution, America made an astounding transformation to a democratic and modern country.

The American Revolution did not quickly bring change to abolish slavery or change the status of women, but the revolution made the anti-slavery and women’s right movements of the nineteenth century possible. It had started to change how the slaves and women of America think about equality. Since the American Revolution, Americans began attacking slavery, saying it is an aberration. The results of the American Revolution included Philadelphia forming the first anti-slavery society in the world in 1775. One can conclude with this evidence that the American Revolution was a social revolution that opened the path for anti-slavery and women’s rights.

I completely agree with the author that the American Revolution was a social revolution. From the way I see it, America was extremely dependent under Great Britain’s rule. When America won its independence, America was able have free trade with anyone and these brought new economic opportunities. America was able to be free from Great Britain and its many enemies, which now they can befriend them. This evidence suggests that the American Revolution was a social revolution because the people felt more independent.

The author of “The War for Independence Was a Social Revolution” is saying that the American Revolution was a social revolution because America emerged into an independent, democratic country. It bonded the people to eliminate monarchy and create a republic. This social revolution transformed the way we all think, knowing that we all deserve life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.