Analyzing the Impact of American Revolution on Society and Culture

This essay delves into the significant impact of the American Revolution on American society and culture. It begins by defining revolution and then uses the American Revolution as a case study to analyze its effects. The essay explores the immediate consequences, such as the formation of state constitutions, increased political participation, and changes in social hierarchies, including the impact on women and the institution of slavery, as well as the devastating effects on Native Americans. Furthermore, it examines the revolution's influence on American culture, highlighting the flourishing of art, the rise of distinct American literature, and the role of philosophy in shaping the American Constitution. The essay discusses how art, particularly the "Revolutionary paintings" of artists like John Trumbull, represented the era through realism, and how philosophical ideas influenced the creation of the constitution, contrasting Greek philosophical concepts with American ideals of equality and democracy. The essay concludes by emphasizing the shift from British culture and the profound changes in art and literature brought about by the revolution.

Running head: IMPACT OF REVOLUTION ON SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Impact of revolution on society and culture
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1IMPACT OF REVOLUTION ON SOCIETY AND CULTURE
The concept of revolution is defined as a major, sudden and specifically violent
amendment in the government of a nation and structures and associations related to it. In
other words, revolution refers to a radical and significant change in economic relationships
and technological conditions. This paper is intended to analyse the impact of revolution on
society and culture.
In order to understand the role a revolution plays on the culture and structure of the
government, the example of The American Revolution is considered. The immediate
consequence of the revolution was the formation of state constitutions in 1776 and 1777
(Dickinson, 2014). The revolution resulted in the independence of the nation and a change in
the political situation. Participation in politics increased with more citizens gaining voting
rights. Common citizens played important roles in local and state governance. Hierarchy
within the states experienced significant changes. The revolution affected lives of women
since they gained more freedom. Many slaves were set free that affected the institution of
slavery. However, the revolution had a devastating impact on the Native Americans. It
opened up western settlement and created governments that were hostile to their claims of
territory. The American Revolution had significant impact on the culture of the country
(Fraser, 2017). Art flourished during the tenure of the revolution. Artists like John Trumbull
took a keen interest in producing the scenes of national history. These paintings came to be
known as “Revolutionary paintings.” The pre-revolution period experienced only religious
texts such as the Bible as a work of literature. The colonists did not follow the formal style of
writing by the British writers and developed their own distinct way. Furthermore, the post-
revolution era witnessed the rise of satire in the plays, writings and poems. Philosophy played
a role in the formation of the American constitution (National Archives, 2018). The makers
of the constitution followed the logic and theories of the Greek philosophy while framing the
document. However, some of the concepts varied from that of the theories of Greek

2IMPACT OF REVOLUTION ON SOCIETY AND CULTURE
philosophers. The Greek philosophers did not believe in the concept of equality of people
(Foucault, 2013). Whereas, the American constitution promoted the idea of equality and
democracy. Philosophy and politics are interrelated because the existence of politics is itself a
result of philosophical ideas.
The American Revolution was represented though art by following realism where the
paintings portrayed exactly what was happening without the use of supernatural or exotic
elements. It can be classified under art history, which evaluates the genesis, forms, styles,
expressions and meanings of art within a particular historical and cultural context (Sayre,
2013). It implements various theories and approaches to understand the representation of
humanity in the inner and outer worlds through different forms of art. The American
Revolution marked the beginning of a drift from the British way of life by the colonists. It
suggested a complete change in the culture aspects of art and literature where artists like John
Trumbull played a major role in representing the movement through painti9ngs supported by
the concept of realism.

3IMPACT OF REVOLUTION ON SOCIETY AND CULTURE
References
Dickinson, H. T. (2014). Britain and the American Revolution. Routledge.
Foucault, M. (2013). Politics, philosophy, culture: Interviews and other writings, 1977-1984.
Routledge.
Fraser, R. (2017). A machine that would go of itself: The Constitution in American culture.
Routledge.
National Archives. (2018). America's Founding Documents. [online] Available at:
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs.
Sayre, H. M. (2013). AWorld of Art.