4/6 AP United States History LEQ Essay: Political ideas, 1754–1800

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The Essay

Prior to the period 1754 to 1800, the United States was a cluster of colonies contently under British rule. However, in 1754, the British began to exert tyrannical governance over the colonies, eventually causing the American Revolution of 1775. Distinct developments during this period transformed ideas about government and political participation in the United States. While the Republican Motherhood appealed to women’s involvement in politics, the Declaration of Independence and the creation of political parties are what majorly transformed people's views on independence from England and their views on having stronger opinions about their government and policies. The Republican Motherhood was intended to redirect women from chasing government roles; however, it indirectly affirmed women's presence in politics. They were told that the best way they could aid the war effort was by educating their sons on free republican ideals. By doing so, women in turn gained more opportunity for educating themselves and control over the future societal leaders’ upbringings, putting women in a powerful position. It was a stepping stone towards more female participation in government matters, although it did not give women a full right to express political opinions. In 1776, the founding fathers of America signed a document consisting of 27 grievances for the King of England’s tyrannical actions toward the colonists. An ideal mentioned in the document, “all men are created equal,” directly reshaped enslaved Africans’ view of policies affecting their freedom. Upon hearing this claim that all men were entitled to the same rights, many enslaved Black people believed this applied to them as much as any other man. These beliefs were abruptly shut down by slave owners. In response to this denial, enslaved Black people reclaimed the narrative by addressing the contradiction built into the foundation of the U.S.. The enslaved then used these words as rhetorical weapons in the fight for their own political expression and participation. The formation of political parties during the Constitutional Convention significantly changed beliefs about power and government and solidified ideals of independence from England. Parties formed from people’s demand for their political opinions to be heard, unlike how they could express them under monarchical British rule. For example, the Virginia Plan of 1787, a precursor to the convention, proposed that state representation should be based on population. This majorly upset smaller states due to unfair representation. Two passionate groups began to reveal themselves as opinions on the plan differed. Continuing their development, the Constitutional Convention, which drafted the Constitution, further changed opinions on what political representation should look like by adding distinction to the two sides for delegates to choose: Federalist or Anti-Federalist. This gave delegates a clear way to join political conversations, unlike how they were under British rule. Therefore it solidified ideas that independence from England was in Americans’ best interest. From 1754 to 1800, the Republican motherhood appealed to women’s roles in government; however, it did not contribute to the developing opinions on independence and government and policies as majorly as the Declaration of Independence and the formation of political parties did.

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