APUSH Review: Give Me Liberty, Chapter 6

Summary

This video script delves into Chapter 6 of 'Give Me Liberty,' exploring the post-Revolutionary era's push for democratized freedom and political expansion. It highlights the limitations of freedom and equality, which were largely exclusive to white men, excluding women and slaves. The script discusses the evolution of democracy, the varied state constitutions, and the impact of the Revolution on religion, leading to a decrease in anti-Catholic sentiment and the rise of deism. It also touches on the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom and the importance of public education. The script further addresses the economic and social changes of the time, including the shift from indentured servitude to slavery, the treatment of loyalists and Native Americans, and the concept of Republican Motherhood. It concludes by noting the American Revolution's influence on subsequent global revolutions.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ After the American Revolution, the concept of democracy evolved to include greater political participation, but this was largely limited to white men, excluding women and slaves.
• 🏛️ Pennsylvania's early 1776 constitution was a significant step towards democracy, featuring a unicameral legislature without a governor and no property requirements for office holding.
• 🌐 John Adams advocated for balanced governments with a bicameral legislature representing both the wealthy and ordinary citizens, as well as a governorship and judiciary branch for checks and balances.
• 🏘️ Southern states were less democratic, with governors chosen by legislatures controlled by the wealthy, not by popular vote.
• 🏞️ Vermont was a pioneer in democratic reforms, eliminating property requirements for voting, and New Jersey allowed property-owning women to vote until 1807.
• 🗳️ Annual elections were held in all states except South Carolina, increasing accountability by allowing voters to remove unsatisfactory office holders.
• ⛪ During the Revolutionary War, attitudes towards Catholics began to shift as the French, a Catholic nation, were allies against Britain.
• 📜 Deism, the belief in a non-interventionist God, was a significant viewpoint among some founding fathers, like Thomas Jefferson, who created the Jefferson Bible, stripping the Christian Bible of all divine references to Jesus.
• 🏛️ Many states moved towards disestablishing state churches and ending state-supported taxes for religious institutions, promoting the free exercise of religion.
• 🌱 By 1800, indentured servitude had virtually disappeared in the United States, with the North favoring free labor over slavery.
• 🏠 Jefferson and others believed in limited government that should promote freedom and not infringe on individual rights.

Q & A

What was the main theme of chapter six of 'Give Me Liberty'?

The main theme of chapter six is the democratization of freedom and the expansion of the political nation after the American Revolution, with a focus on how these concepts did not extend to women and slaves.

What was the fear associated with the idea of the whole population voting?

The fear associated with the whole population voting was 'mob rule,' which was a common concern in early American history after the revolution.

What was unique about the Pennsylvania State Constitution created by the pro-independence movement?

The Pennsylvania State Constitution created by the pro-independence movement was unique because it established a unicameral legislature with no governor and eliminated property requirements for office holding.

What did John Adams argue for in terms of government structure?

John Adams argued for balanced governments and states, envisioning a bicameral legislature that represented both the wealthy and ordinary Americans, along with a governorship and a judiciary branch to provide balance.

Why did Vermont eliminate property requirements for voting?

Vermont was one of the first states to eliminate property requirements for voting, allowing a broader segment of the population to participate in the political process.

When were women allowed to vote in New Jersey if they owned property?

Women in New Jersey could vote if they owned property up until 1807, which included widowed women who inherited property from their husbands.

How did the Revolutionary War impact the perception of Catholics in America?

During the Revolutionary War, Americans worked more closely with Catholics, particularly through the French Alliance, which led to a decrease in hostility and a perception of Catholics as less of a threat.

What was the significance of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom?

The Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, authored by Thomas Jefferson, was significant as it was a forerunner to the First Amendment, guaranteeing freedom of religion.

What was the impact of the Revolutionary War on indentured servants in the United States?

By 1800, there were virtually no indentured servants in the United States, which drew a clearer line between slaves and free individuals, as the north relied on free labor.

How did the Revolutionary War affect Native Americans?

The Revolutionary War drastically impacted Native Americans, as their land was destroyed in conflicts with Americans, and they were left out of the Treaty of Paris of 1783 with no protection or land set aside for them.

What was the concept of 'Republican Motherhood' that emerged during the Revolutionary era?

Republican Motherhood was the concept that women were expected to raise their children to be good citizens, which placed an increased importance on women's role in the home and their influence on the next generation of Americans.