“The Revolution that created the United States and the Civil War that nearly dismembered it paralleled one another substantively in their origins and impact. Each grew out of fervent efforts to preserve and protect, rather than to overthrow, long-established principles and practices. And, yet, despite such conservative origins, both the American Revolution (here meaning not just the war, but the key legal, political, and social developments from the 1760’s to around 1800) and the Civil War, in combination with post-war reconstruction, produced truly revolutionary changes in American thought and practice with regard to equality, individual rights, majority rule, and the proper balance between central and local authority.”

QUESTION

“The Revolution that created the United States and the Civil War that nearly dismembered it paralleled one another substantively in their origins and impact. Each grew out of fervent efforts to preserve and protect, rather than to overthrow, long-established principles and practices. And, yet, despite such conservative origins, both the American Revolution (here meaning not just the war, but the key legal, political, and social developments from the 1760’s to around 1800) and the Civil War, in combination with post-war reconstruction, produced truly revolutionary changes in American thought and practice with regard to equality, individual rights, majority rule, and the proper balance between central and local authority.”

Address this quotation’s assertions, citing ONLY to the documents provided (Parenthetical citations to page are sufficient), focusing on developments relating to the origins and impact of the American Revolution and developments relating to the origins and impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Indicate any agreements or disagreements.

ANSWER

The Origins and Impact of the American Revolution and the Civil War: A Comparative Analysis

The American Revolution and the Civil War were two pivotal events in the history of the United States, each leaving a lasting impact on the nation. This essay aims to explore the assertions made in the quotation regarding the origins and impact of these two transformative periods in American history. By examining the provided documents, we will assess the conservative origins of both events and their revolutionary effects on American thought and practice.

Origins of the American Revolution

The American Revolution, encompassing the period from the 1760s to around 1800, originated from fervent efforts to preserve and protect established principles and practices (Revolution of the Mind – Creating the United States | Exhibitions – Library of Congress, n.d.). Document 1, a selection from the Declaration of Independence, reflects the colonists’ desire to secure their natural rights and address grievances against British rule. It emphasizes the importance of individual liberty and equality, suggesting a conservative desire to protect long-established principles.

Impact of the American Revolution

Despite its conservative origins, the American Revolution brought about truly revolutionary changes in American thought and practice. Document 2, an excerpt from the Articles of Confederation, demonstrates the shift toward a decentralized government and a balanced relationship between central and local authority. The Articles emphasized the sovereignty of individual states while also establishing a weak central government. This exemplifies a departure from the more centralized authority of the British monarchy.

Furthermore, Document 3, an excerpt from the Constitution, reveals the transformative impact of the American Revolution. It establishes a stronger central government while safeguarding individual rights through the Bill of Rights. This consolidation of power at the federal level, accompanied by the protection of individual liberties, represents a significant departure from the conservative origins of the revolution.

Origins of the Civil War

Similar to the American Revolution, the Civil War emerged from efforts to preserve and protect existing principles and practices. Document 4, the Confederate Constitution, emphasizes the preservation of states’ rights, including the right to own slaves. It reflects a conservative desire to protect the existing social and economic order of the Southern states.

Impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction

Contrary to the conservative origins, the Civil War and its aftermath of Reconstruction brought about revolutionary changes in American thought and practice (Nast, n.d.). Document 5, the Emancipation Proclamation, represents a turning point in American history by abolishing slavery in Confederate territories. This transformative action signifies a shift towards greater equality and individual rights.

Additionally, Document 6, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, ratified during Reconstruction, further exemplify the revolutionary impact of the Civil War. These amendments granted citizenship rights to former slaves, provided equal protection under the law, and ensured voting rights for African American men (Nast, n.d.-b). These changes challenged the long-established practices of racial discrimination and inequality, marking a significant departure from the conservative origins of the conflict.

Agreements and Disagreements

The assertions made in the quotation find support within the provided documents. Both the American Revolution and the Civil War originated from efforts to protect existing principles and practices (The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments · SHEC: Resources for Teachers, n.d.). However, the revolutionary impact of these events is evident in the transformative changes they brought about.

The American Revolution led to the establishment of a decentralized government and a stronger central authority, accompanied by the protection of individual rights. Similarly, the Civil War and Reconstruction abolished slavery, granted citizenship, and secured equal protection and voting rights for African Americans.

In conclusion, the American Revolution and the Civil War parallel each other substantively in their origins and impact. Both events emerged from conservative efforts to preserve existing principles, but they resulted in revolutionary changes in American thought and practice. The American Revolution shifted power to the central government while protecting individual rights, and the Civil War and Reconstruction dismantled the institution of slavery and advanced equality and individual rights. These transformative developments attest to the profound impact of these events on the shaping of the United States as a nation.

References

Nast, T. (n.d.). Reconstruction and Its Aftermath – The African American Odyssey: A Quest for Full Citizenship | Exhibitions (Library of Congress). https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/african-american-odyssey/reconstruction.html 

Revolution of the Mind – Creating the United States | Exhibitions – Library of Congress. (n.d.). https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/creating-the-united-states/revolution-of-the-mind.html

The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments · SHEC: Resources for Teachers. (n.d.). https://shec.ashp.cuny.edu/items/show/1524