The Revolutionary War
In Chapter 5, A Kind of Revolution, Zinn points out that in the beginning, the colonial militia consisted of mainly “hallmarks of respectability or at least of full citizenship.” Initially the colonial militia refused Indians, free blacks, white servants, and some free whites that did not have a stable home. However, they eventually succumbed to desperation and began accepting the less respectable whites. Soon “the military became a place of promise for the poor, who might rise in rank, acquire some money, and change their social status.” (Zinn 61) According to Foner, in Chapter 5: The American Revolution, “slaves suddenly gained considerable bargaining power” because black slaves were military substitutes for their master’s or their sons. At times, the black slaves did it in exchange for freedom, but again, there were no guarantees.
The slaves that fought in the Revolutionary War in promise for freedom
Ironically, however, this was a bit of a deception because Zinn argues that the American Revolutionary War “was making the ruling elite more secure against internal trouble.” I strongly agree with Zinn because the elite had the lower white class believe that they were fighting in the Revolutionary War to gain something of value, when in fact, the elite were essentially trying to control the potential white lower class rebels.
Like many of the Revolutionary fighters from the poor white class, they believe that joining the military would mean rewards in return. A wounded American lieutenant explained that he joined the military in hopes for promotion:
I was a Shoemaker, & got my living by my Labor. When this Rebellion came on, I saw some of my Neighbors got into Commission, who were no better than myself. I was very ambitious, & did not like to see those Men above me. I was asked to enlist, as a private Solider…I offered to enlist upon having a Lieutenants Commission; which was granted. I imagined myself now in a way of Promotion.
Little did these Revolutionary fighters know, it was perhaps the white elite’s mask to control them, to prevent rebelling or joining the blacks and underrepresented groups. Apparently, Carl Degler’s point best describes what had happened during the American revolution: “ No new social class came to power through the door of the American Revolution. The men who engineered the revolt were largely members of the colonial ruling class.” There was some distribution of land like giving “some benefits to small landholders,” yet that still left the “poor white working people and tenant farmers in very much their old situation.” (Zinn 65)
The promises of the American Revolution to the lower class whites and blacks prevented internal troubles. The white elites used the Revolutionary War as a way to maintain control, to essentially stop the lower class whites from joining the blacks in rebelling or protesting. Foner concludes Chapter 6: The Revolution Within with, “the debate over who should enjoy the blessings of liberty would continue long after independence had been achieved.” One can dispute that the Revolutionary War benefitted everyone in some ways, but I think the war ultimately provided more control for the white elites while leaving the rest with little to none to work with.
Notes
1. Howard Zinn, A People’s History of the United States, Volume I: American Beginnings to Reconstruction, The New Press, New York, 2003
2. Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty!, W.W. Norton & Company, Inc, New York, 2009.
Image Sources
http://www.thecaptainsmemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Revolutionary-War.jpg
http://picture-book.com/files/userimages/106u/battleofri.jpg
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteIn the last paragraphy you stated "One can dispute that the Revolutionary War benefitted everyone in some ways, but I think the war ultimately provided more control for the white elites while leaving the rest with little to none to work with."
You are correct in that everyone benefited from the war but I tend to feel that the slaves were the ones that ultimately benefited, in the long run that is. Even though the war did not end slavery the framers of the Constitution struck a compromise allowing the slave trade to continue as it would remain important to the economy, although it sounds crass,the slaves were not mis treated as they were in the past and there were slave codes put into place to give them slight protection over their masters.
Hey Mary I would delightfully like to inform you that of all the blogs I have read (or even written for that matter) in this class, your's has by far ranked superlative. Not only do you clearly state your thesis, structure your blog in an organized manner, correctly cite your sources, you also include pictures to better enhance your claim. Of all the blogs I have read, you are the only one who manages to generate your own ideas and conclusions from your sources, instead of simply quoting the author. I'd like to specifically comment on your blog titled, "Preventing Internal Trouble," where you highlight Zinn's idea that the rich were getting richer and the poor were simply getting poorer. You used great examples and I especially liked your statement in paragraph two where you point out the fact that while the lower class were lead to believe they were fighting for something worth-while, they actually were being treated like toddlers, distracted by a lollipop while the doctor injects them with a vaccination.
ReplyDeleteYou made great references to both Zinn and Foner's books, including the implication of the shoemaker. This story clearly illustrates the idea that enlistment was used as a means to move up the social ladder. However, as you put it, white elite's were simply masking these great endowments with the ability to control the lower classes. As a result of these false pretenses Revolutionary leaders experienced many, many uprisings from the lower classes, including the Fort Wilson riot, the acts of the First Company of Philadelphia Artillery, and the doings of the Pennsylvania troops near Morristown NJ. The quote by Carl Degler that, "No new social class came to power through the door of the American Revolution" was absolutely perfect in highlighting the idea the the American Revolution can't concretely be defined as "revolutionary."
I do have to admit, despite all your glorious achievements in your blog, that your concluding statement is somewhat a double-edged-sword for me. I do agree that yes, ultimately the white elites were the ones who essentially benefitted from the war, however, I don't know if I would go as far to say that it left everyone else with nothing to work with. Even Zinn states on pg. 67, of Chapter 5 "A Kind of Revolution," that "What the Revolution did was to create space and opportunity for blacks to begin making demands of white society." By the 1780's Blacks had even began petitioning their right to equality and that the Declaration of Independence's principal, "All men are created equal," would prove to be false if congress didn't obliged to their concerns. The Revolution also opened up many doors for woman of the time, even allowing them to hold positions that otherwise would have been unheard of for a woman during the time to fulfill. Some of these duties included forming patriotic groups, publishing newspapers, administrating in tanneries, writing independence columns, operating taverns, and even themselves fighting as soldiers for a revolution.
Overall your blog was stimulating and a joy to read. If I was Professor Powell I definitely would have given you an A+. :] Great job on your blog, even despite our difference of opinions on the Revolution's effects.
Coleen Link