America Divided By Angela Rieck

I watched the Ken Burns series, The American Revolution. It is his usual outstanding and comprehensive documentary film. The American Revolution is 12 hours long (six 2-hour segments) and provides us with an intimate view of Revolutionary times. 

It is not an understatement to state that this was one of the most important revolutions in history. America’s Democracy has been successful for almost 250 years and spawned revolutions throughout the world. The Declaration of Independence often served as the framework.

Most of us think of the Revolution as a time when Americans united to create the great experiment, Democracy, home rule by the people. We were taught that Americans rose up en-masse to create a government that allowed for independence, equal representation, and religious freedom for all. But the documentary makes clear that the American Revolution was actually a civil war. Americans who wanted to remain under British rule (called Tories) fought against those who wanted self-government (Patriots). Other Americans excluded from the democracy fought against the Patriots.

This was freedom for white men only, with a preference for educated property owners. The American Revolution excluded enslaved people, native Americans, and women, thereby encouraging indigenous and enslaved people to fight with the British. There were columns of soldiers with enslaved people, native Americans, and Tories that battled the Patriots.

In the Dunmore Act in 1775, enslaved men were offered freedom if they fought for the crown. Understandably, most of the enslaved population who fought in the Revolutionary War battled on the British side.

Most Native Americans, seeing how Patriots were usurping their land, sided with the British, who guaranteed their lands outside of the current colonies.

Women were never even considered, despite Abigail Adams’ pleas. They courageously followed their husbands in the war. Women tended to the wounded, buried the dead, cooked the meals, cared for the children, and in some instances, actually participated in the fighting.

It took centuries to include those who were excluded in our Democracy. The repercussions to indigenous people, women, and enslaved people are felt today.

But the point remains the same, we talk about how fractious and dangerous America is now (in fact, one Trump supporter has a sign that reads “All Hail King Trump”). It is important to remember that America has often been divided and fractious. It is the nature of a Democracy that gives representation to all, regardless of property or education. But, when speaking up and taking a stand, the country has usually pointed to independence, freedom, separation of church and state, and government by the majority.

It keeps me hopeful.

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.