2

New national identity emphasized women's role as mothers, instructing children on republican virtues.
Women's ideas and roles gained increased respect, though they were not equal partners.

Shift from reliance on British imperial system; American trade faced hostility without British naval protection.
Loss of access to imperial markets negatively impacted trade.
Long-term economic growth followed, with American ships adapting via evade-and-run tactics.
Privateering became more profitable than ordinary trade.
New trade patterns emerged, including with the Caribbean, South America, and Asia (mid-1780s).
Increased inter-state trade resulted from cut-offs from English imports.
Domestic manufacturing, exemplified by increased "homespun" cloth production, was stimulated, signaling a move towards economic independence.

War encouraged entrepreneurial spirit; foundational for future industrial expansion.

Americans faced challenges in establishing new governmental institutions post-independence.

New governments needed to be republican, with sovereignty derived from the people.
Emphasized civic virtue, with independent property owners seen as crucial for the republic's survival.
The Declaration's "All men are created equal" challenged inherited aristocracy.
Economic realities caused exclusion: White laborers had privileges; Black workers, women, and Native Americans faced political and economic subservience.

Constitutions had to be written to prevent corruption, unlike England's unwritten one.
Executive branches were limited (e.g., Pennsylvania eliminated its executive, most states restricted governors).
Separation of powers ensured checks and balances.
Variations existed, including bicameral legislatures (upper houses for higher classes) and differing property requirements for voters.

Concerns over divisiveness and instability led to revisions by the late 1770s.
Massachusetts' 1780 constitution was among the first, created by constitutional conventions separate from ordinary politics.
Subsequent constitutions increased executive power in response to instability, empowering governors with direct election and employment security.

Religious freedom grew, notably Virginia's 1786 Statute of Religious Liberty by Thomas Jefferson, advocating separation of church and state.
Slavery remained contentious: abolished where it was weak (New England, Pennsylvania), but persisted in Southern states due to economic investment and perceived racial superiority.

Establishing state governments was faster than forming national ones.
Initial calls for weak central governments led to the Articles of Confederation.

Established a decentralized national government: Congress was the sole national authority with limited powers.
Lacked authority to regulate trade, draft military, or levy taxes directly, relying on states for funding.
Ratification was difficult, requiring all thirteen states' approval by 1781.
Persisted until 1789.

Struggled with effectiveness, unable to address interstate issues or enforce authority.
Low international esteem hindered agreements with nations like Great Britain and Spain.