tes passed lawswhich repressed the importation of slaves and made it easier to free slaves; in thenorth, slavery was outlawed in most states, and abolitionist groups arose. During the Revolution, the American people also formed new intellectualstandpoints. The most respected thinkers of the time began to shift their focus toconcentrate on creating political change. Men such as Ben Franklin, and otherinventors theologists, and philosophers began to focus on concerns such aseconomic growth, constitutional revision, and westward expansion, rather thanphilosophy and theology. Many scientific magazines began to be published andnew scientific organizations formed. Secular concerns became priority overtheology.Established religion harvested change during the Revolution, also. During thewar, because of the violence and stress of the time, religious fervor decreased, andchurch membership dwindled to seven percent. But, positive changes occurred also,such as the passing of bills which provided for religious freedom, and the removalof religious restrictions once stipulated for voting and office-holding. The ideals ofequality had spread even to the religious aspect of colonial life.The economic status of America also greatly transformed during theRevolutionary period. There was an extensive rise in banking and a spread ofincorporation. Negative effects of the revolution such as confiscation andredistribution of Tory land holdings to wealthy Americans also occurred. But, thenew ideals of the people promoted American manufacturing, and societies arosewhich advocated protective legislation and directed the economy inward to focus onAmerica. All in all, America was transformed during the revolution. Politically, thecolonies broke away from British rule, forged a new life as a united nation, foughtfor equality of all men and formed a constitution which has been the cornerstone ofAmerican society for over two hundred years. Moreover, t...
