Essay on A Radical Revolution - 1343 Words

â€Å"The story of post-revolutionary America,† writes Rosemarie Zagarri, â€Å"is the story of how American women and men sought to define – and ultimately to limit and restrict – the expansive ideals they had so successfully deployed against Britain.† In this excerpt from Revolutionary Backlash, Zagarri depicts the extreme radicalism of the American Revolution, while also suggesting that there were some constraints to its extremism. Unlike the normal way of life in European government and society, Americans desired a nation in which the inherent rights and freedoms of individuals were recognized and respected. While these rights and freedoms were ultimately achieved, many groups of people were still left out. Women of all kinds, people of color,†¦show more content†¦Since the concept that only wealthy white men are free individuals was a common idea in European customs, many people argue that the American Revolution was not radical in terms of Locke’s theory. Despite his inclusion of property within his argument, Locke still contends for the natural rights of all individuals. He does not include the right to own property with the intentions of excluding women, colored people, or poor men. Locke’s meaning is not that only people with property have natural rights; instead, he includes the term â€Å"property† to claim that individuals of every race, class, and background have the right to ownership, just as all individuals have the right to life and liberty. Locke’s idea is notably different from the normal concepts about liberty that encompassed European culture during that time. Therefore, in regards to Locke’s theory, the American Revolution was radical. In addition, the way in which gender roles were altered during the American Revolution provides evidence of its radicalism. Traditionally, women of any color had no place within the realms of politics in European culture. Strictly white men of wealth were allowed to participate in government activities. Zagarri points out that the American Revolution triggered a continuing argument over the rights of upper class white women in American culture and theirShow MoreRelatedThe French Revolution And The Radical Stage Of The Revolution1658 Words   |  7 PagesFrance was under extreme turmoil because of its structure and King Louis XVI, there were many growing tensions throughout France that needed to be dealt with before the revolution was to take over. The three estates in France were under a very unequal system where the majority vote and majority of wealth came from less than 10 percent of the country; many privileges were the given to them like minimal taxes and all authority. 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