Democracy in America
During the years preceding the American Revolution, America was evolving into a more self-governing, independent, democratic society. This rise of democracy in American society can be exemplified by looking at the society of Wethersfield Connecticut during the 1750's to the 1780's with respect to property distribution, social structure, politics, and religion. The spark started by the Great Awakening had blossomed into a great fire of independence, a passion for freedom, a lust for democracy.Property distribution played a small but important role in the democratic uprising within Wethersfield Connecticut. During the 1750's, the most wealthy people in the town held the most property meaning they obtained the most power. However, as time progressed, voting requirements were lowered so that people who owned less land, could participate in the government. Even if the wealthy people owned most of the land, it did not affect those who had less land from voting. People no longer had to live with what the rich men decided on, they had a say in what happened in their town,
Another change that resulted in an increase of democracy was in religion. One of these changes was the separation of church and state. People believed that the government did not have the right to meddle in the church affairs. They also passed laws that established religious toleration, people worshiping other religions would not be punished because of their beliefs. This was a very important change because religious toleration is a step towards democracy. In the time between the 1750's and the 1780's, Wethersfield Connecticut changed itself to become more democratic as can be seen through population distribution, social structure, politics, and religion. Like all changes, this conversion was not perfect, but the overall effect was a rise in democratic views and practices. Democracy had been woven into the very nature of the town, into the hearts and souls of the colonists, into the very essence of American society. Politics underwent major changes in the period between 1750 and 1780. Towns had the power to pass their own laws which allowed them the freedo
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Approximate Word count = 722
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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