The Creation of the United States

The effects on women

The women left behind by husbands who had gone off to fight in the war took up the responsibilities of their husbands such as running the farms and businesses.  An example is  Mercy Otis, who not only allowed her home to be used as a patriot base in support of her brother who was away fighting in the war but also published works that supported the American cause. In the field women, actively participated as nurses to the injured soldiers. In other instances, women volunteered as nurses and even spies. It is estimated that a sizeable number of women dressed as soldiers and joined the men in the field. To support the cause, women had to abandon the traditional duties, and fill the vacant positions that their husbands had left or to take up new roles as the need arose.

Effects on the slaves.

For the African Americans, an American success meant that slavery would continue. Many loyalists questioned Americas struggle for independence while at the same time supporting slavery. After the revolution, many slaves were grated their freedom as more and more Americans engaged in the moral debate on slavery. On the other hand, many slaves escaped as fugitives with the loyalist forces to settle at Canada and the West indies.

Effect on the natives.

In the beginning, the Indians did not want to take any part in the war and wanted to remain neutral; however, the British convinces the Iroqouis to oppose American rule.  This appealed to the natives because an American victory would mean encroachment on their ancestral land and dilution of culture. The patriots and the Indian fought for the same cause- political sovereignty but for different reasons. They (Indians) did not buy into the patriotic promise of equality that the patriots promised.  Many violent confrontations took place between the Cherokees and the American; however, the deadliest confrontation led to the brokering of a peace treaty in 1776. There was a division between the Mohawk leader Joseph Brant and the chiefs of the Oneidas and Tuscarora because the Mohawk leader supported the British while the Oneidas and the Tuscarora opposed the move. By joining the war, the natives were fighting against each other as they had joined opposing sides.