Who Won the American Revolution?: Crash Course US History #7

Summary

This script from Crash Course U.S. History explores the American Revolution's dual nature, highlighting both its transformative and status-quo aspects. It discusses the war's strategies, key battles, and the varied experiences of soldiers, slaves, Native Americans, and women. The script emphasizes the Revolution's impact on ideas of liberty, equality, and the economy, and the hypocrisy of fighting for freedom while perpetuating slavery. It concludes by reflecting on the slow but significant changes in society's structure and the enduring influence of the Revolution's ideals.

Takeaways

• 😀 The American Revolution was a mix of change and continuity, with power shifting from British elites to American elites but not fundamentally altering the social structure.
• 🏰 The British strategy in the Revolutionary War focused on capturing cities, but the American forces, with advantages like local knowledge, held the countryside and ultimately prevailed.
• 🌟 The Battle of Saratoga was a pivotal moment for the American forces, marking a significant defeat for the British and influencing French support for the American cause.
• 🎭 The American victory at Yorktown in 1781, where British forces were trapped by French naval power, was a decisive event leading to the end of the war.
• 🤔 The script challenges the romanticized view of the Continental Army, highlighting the hardships faced by soldiers, including poor rations and unpaid wages.
• 👥 The Revolution was not a universally supported cause; some colonists fought for the British, while others, like the Quakers, faced property confiscation for refusing to participate.
• 🕊️ For slaves, the Revolution presented a complex situation where fighting for the British could potentially lead to freedom, with thousands taking up arms or fleeing to the British side.
• 🏞️ Native Americans were caught in the crossfire of the Revolution, often facing brutal treatment from American forces if they fought for the British.
• 👩 The status of women did not significantly improve post-Revolution, with the concept of 'Republican Motherhood' emerging to emphasize the importance of women's education for the republic's future.
• 📜 The Declaration of Independence encapsulates the revolutionary ideals of equality and inalienable rights, which would later influence broader societal changes, including expanded voting rights.
• 🏛️ The American Revolution laid the groundwork for religious freedom and the separation of church and state, a significant departure from the established churches of Europe.
• 🌾 The economic impact of the Revolution included a move away from indentured servitude and a growing divide between the North's paid labor economy and the South's reliance on slavery, which was reinforced by the invention of the cotton gin.

Q & A

What are the two types of revolutions mentioned in the script?

The two types of revolutions mentioned are those where things change and those where things remain the same, essentially a 360-degree turn that leaves you back where you started.

How did the French Revolution exemplify a revolution where things did not change significantly?

The French Revolution is cited as an example where things did not change significantly because they essentially exchanged a Bourbon ruler for a Bonaparte, indicating a change in leadership without substantial systemic transformation.

What is the significance of the American Revolution in terms of changing the leadership in the United States?

The American Revolution is significant because it transitioned the leadership from a group of rich white British elites to a group of rich white American elites, indicating a change in who was in power but not necessarily in the underlying power structures.

What was the main strategy of the British during the Revolutionary War?

The main strategy of the British was to capture all the major cities to force the colonists to surrender, leveraging their military strength to control key locations.

Why was the Battle of Saratoga considered more important than the Battle of Trenton in the North?

The Battle of Saratoga was more important because it was a major defeat for the British and led to French support for the American cause, which was crucial for the eventual American victory.

How did the American Revolution impact Native Americans?

The American Revolution impacted Native Americans by forcing them to choose sides, often leading to divisions within tribes, and resulting in brutal treatment for those who fought for the British, including the destruction of their villages and enslavement.

What was the role of the concept of 'Republican Motherhood' in the aftermath of the American Revolution?

The concept of 'Republican Motherhood' emphasized the importance of women's education so they could educate their sons in the principles of liberty and government, although it did not grant women political rights or property ownership.

How did the American Revolution affect the economy, particularly regarding labor practices?

The American Revolution led to a decline in apprenticeship and indentured servitude due to the new ideas of liberty. It also marked the beginning of a split between the North, which relied on paid labor, and the South, which relied on slavery.

What was the impact of the invention of the cotton gin on slavery in the United States?

The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney made it profitable to grow inferior American cotton, which reinvigorated slavery and led to an increase in the demand for slave labor in the South.

How did the American Revolution contribute to the rise of religious freedom in the United States?

With independence, the Church of England ceased to be the state religion, and the new American government began to embrace the idea of a 'wall of separation' between church and state, allowing for greater religious freedom and diversity.

What was the paradox presented by the American Revolution in terms of its ideals and the reality of slavery?

The paradox was that while the Revolution was based on ideals of liberty and equality, many of its leaders, including Thomas Jefferson, were slave owners, and the institution of slavery was not abolished but rather reinforced in some parts of the country.