The Revolution brought new rhetoric of independence and freedom to American society. However, calls for equality were widespread but maintained a number of inconsistencies in relation to slaves and women. The Revolution increased the differences between the Northern states, which abandoned slavery, and the Southern ones, in which it flourished (Foner, 2019a). In particular, Noah Webster discusses equality of economic opportunities for all as the basis of ideas of freedom (Foner, 2019b). Independence for him consists of property, which must be available for acquisition and accumulation. However, enslaved never possessed property, did not even create their own communities, which enclosed them in an endless circle of inequality (Foner, 2019a). The same situation was true for women who were forced to take part in the Revolution and communicate with the world exclusively through their husbands. They were seen as carriers of the ideas of the nation, which were supposed to play the role of their transmission to future generations, but not participate in the formation of freedom and equality. Thus, the limited scope for change made the interests of some groups insignificant and often overlooked.
In this regard, it is extremely important to consider class differences that affect the extent to which an individual can participate in rhetoric and influence the dissemination of ideas. For example, Abigail Adams was an affluent woman, which allowed her to be educated and reflect on freedom and equality (Foner, 2019b). She could convey her ideas through her husband, while other women or enslaved people did not have the opportunity to communicate and be heard. People from the less privileged classes did not have access to broad discussions of the principles of freedom and equality, which made their interests insignificant for the upper classes.
Free Black Communities began to develop actively after the beginning of the abolition process, which mainly occurred in the northern states. Gradually, Free Blacks began to form their own communities with their own churches, schools, and other institutions (Foner, 2019a). At the same time, the existence of slavery in the South remained a serious problem and exacerbated the differences between the old order and the new ideas of freedom. In particular, the elimination of indentured servants in the North and the transition to free labor have made a significant contribution to this process (Foner, 2019b). Thus, it remained difficult for the Free Southern blacks to organize their communities and speak out about their interests.
To a greater extent, their fate depended on whether they lived in the Northern or Southern states, while whites enjoyed the same rights throughout the country. In the North, many Free Blacks gained access to property ownership and voting, which created an equal economic opportunity for them. The situation in the South was much worse, as slaves there were still bound by discriminatory laws and limited rights. Free labor options were available to Free Blacks in the North, which allowed them to gain economic independence. However, their communities were still separated, which reduced their participation in American society.
References
Foner, E. (2019a). Give me liberty!: An American History (6th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.
Foner, E. (2019b). Voices of freedom: A documentary reader (6th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.