Thomas Jefferson tells us, "all men are created equal". However, Jefferson's concept of man was rather particular. The only men, in his view, that were created equal were white male landowners. The American Revolution was a cry for liberty, but very few received what they fought for. African Americans, women and white men alike championed the cause and contributed to the war effort. Women such as Molly Pitcher and Margaret Corbin joined their husbands on the battle field while others like Abigail Adams contributed to the political work of the time. The Daughters of Liberty led boycotts on tea, and in Edenton, North Carolina 51 women signed a document "declaring their support of anti-British resolutions" (The Unfinished Nation).
Despite their contributions, the war did not create further rights for women, and even eliminated some. Under the English government women had no legal rights once they were married, and could not participate in any legal transactions. Under the new American government, widows lost all rights, and in the case of divorce women could no longer regain their property from their husbands.
The British were working to put an end to slavery in America, which Americans did not like. Many Americans fought for liberty for themselves, while fighting to keep others enslaved. While the revolution did bring freedom to some African Americans, slavery was not abolished in North America until 1865.
With the first state constitutions, there were property requirements for all voters. This barred women, African Americans, and impoverished white males from voting. Where is the liberty in that?
