Consequences of the war (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Notes
Consequences of the War of Independence, 1775-83
Introduction
The American War of Independence had far-reaching effects that extended well beyond the establishment of a new nation. While the colonists achieved their goal of independence from Britain, the war's aftermath brought significant changes for different groups within American society, particularly enslaved people and Indigenous communities.
Impact on slavery and the Declaration of Independence
Congressional compromise on slavery
When drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Congress faced a critical decision about slavery that would have lasting consequences for American society.
Despite the document's famous assertion that "all men are created equal", the final version removed any mention of slavery due to opposition from some states. This compromise allowed each individual colony to decide whether the phrase about equality applied to enslaved people, creating huge regional differences in how slavery was addressed after independence.
This Congressional compromise demonstrates how political necessity often trumped moral ideals in the founding of the United States, setting a precedent for future conflicts over slavery.
Regional differences in slavery abolition
The consequences of the war created a stark divide between northern and southern approaches to slavery:
Northern states and gradual abolition:
Pennsylvania became a pioneer in 1780 by passing laws that began the gradual abolition of slavery. Massachusetts took a different approach in 1781, when enslaved people successfully appealed to the courts, arguing that the phrase "all men are created equal" meant they should receive their freedom - and they won.
However, progress was often slow: New York didn't fully abolish slavery until 1827, showing that even in the north, the process took decades. These northern developments had little connection to the Declaration of Independence itself, but rather reflected changing attitudes and legal interpretations.
Southern states and continued dependence:
By 1780, the economies of southern colonies had become heavily dependent on slave labour. The Virginia Declaration of Rights clearly stated that enslaved people did not have equal rights because they were not considered part of Virginian society. While some southern states allowed owners to free enslaved people under certain circumstances, the overall system of slavery continued.
This regional divide would have lasting consequences for American society, ultimately contributing to tensions that would lead to the Civil War decades later.
Consequences for Indigenous peoples
Land loss and displacement
Indigenous communities faced severe consequences following American independence. The new American government viewed most Indigenous peoples as enemies who had no right to prevent American expansion westward. This attitude led to systematic land seizure and forced displacement.
Breakdown of alliances and protection
Without British protection, Indigenous tribes found themselves in a vulnerable position. The British had previously provided some level of protection and had established boundaries through measures like the Proclamation Line.
After the war, these safeguards disappeared, leaving Indigenous communities exposed to increasing American settlement and violence. The loss of British diplomatic support meant that Indigenous peoples had few allies in their struggle to maintain their traditional lands.
The Iroquois League example
Worked Example: The Collapse of the Iroquois League
The Iroquois League provides a clear illustration of how the war devastated Indigenous communities:
Step 1: Pre-war situation
- Alliance of six tribes in New York State
- Strong relationship as British allies
- Unified political structure
Step 2: Post-war breakdown
- The League broke apart as different tribes made different choices
- Some tribes remained in New York State
- Others fled to Canada seeking British protection
Step 3: Ongoing consequences
- Those who stayed faced continued pressure from American settlers
- Traditional lands were seized for American expansion
- Political unity was permanently fractured
Escalating frontier violence
As American colonists pushed westward beyond the former Proclamation Line, violence along the frontier increased dramatically. Indigenous communities found themselves fighting to defend their lands against growing numbers of American settlers, leading to years of conflict and further displacement.
Timeline of key events
- 1776: Declaration of Independence written, but references to slavery removed from final version
- 1780: Pennsylvania passes gradual abolition laws
- 1781: Massachusetts courts rule in favour of enslaved people seeking freedom
- Post-1783: Iroquois League breaks up; some tribes flee to Canada
- 1827: New York fully abolishes slavery (showing the long process even in northern states)
Key Points to Remember:
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Regional divide on slavery: The war created lasting differences between northern states (gradual abolition) and southern states (continued dependence on slavery)
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Indigenous peoples suffered greatly: Lost British protection, faced land seizure, experienced violence, and saw traditional alliances like the Iroquois League break apart
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Declaration of Independence compromise: Congress removed slavery references to gain support, leaving individual states to decide whether "all men are created equal" applied to enslaved people
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Long-term consequences: The war's aftermath set the stage for future conflicts over slavery and Indigenous rights that would continue for decades
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Gradual change in the north: Even progressive states like New York took nearly 50 years to fully abolish slavery, showing how slowly social change occurred