The Revolution greatly changed life for ordinary Americans in many ways. The author, Alfred F. Young, examined the story of George R.T. Hewes, and exemplified the ways in which his life coincided and contributed to the events of the Revolution.
It is widely believed that the Revolution was mainly fought by people solely for their great pride in their freedom, and need for liberty. But, Young debunks this generalization, mainly by examining the reasons George R. T. Hewes joined the fight. It was stated that, Hewes was “one of the ‘humble classes’ that made the success of the Revolution possible” (p. 563). In some ways Hewes was motivated by liberty, but more importantly there were social and economic reasons behind his decision to participate. …show more content…
T. Hewes’ life for the better, it seemed to give him an economic advantage for a period as well. It is noted that early in life Hewes had trouble keeping economically afloat, it’s a problem that doesn’t seem to change throughout his life. Had it not been for the Revolution, it isn’t a far reach to say that Hewes would’ve been stuck as an impoverished shoemaker supporting his wife and many children. It’s not to say that Hewes benefitted greatly, or even remotely from the Revolution, but it did give him, and other penniless, average Americans the opportunity to at least attempt to make a more stable livelihood for themselves. Further into the piece, the author describes Hewes’ attempt at being a Privateer, which was essentially “legalized piracy with a share of booty for each pirate” (p. 604). Although Privateering proved “disastrous” for Hewes, he was at least given the chance to attempt something so incredibly dissimilar from his practiced method of occupation. Privateering, and war “meant opportunity: a chance to escape from the humdrum occupation never to his liking” and “above all, a chance to accumulate the capital that could mean a new shop, apprentices, and journeymen, perhaps a start in something new altogether” (p. 604-605). Had there not been a Revolution, or war, as described, there would’ve been little to no opportunity for Hewes to even attempt something as far-fetched as Privateering. The same could be said for thousands of other Americans, the war gave them an economic opportunity seeing as though “‘a whole country’ was ‘Privateering mad’” (p.
It is widely believed that the Revolution was mainly fought by people solely for their great pride in their freedom, and need for liberty. But, Young debunks this generalization, mainly by examining the reasons George R. T. Hewes joined the fight. It was stated that, Hewes was “one of the ‘humble classes’ that made the success of the Revolution possible” (p. 563). In some ways Hewes was motivated by liberty, but more importantly there were social and economic reasons behind his decision to participate. …show more content…
T. Hewes’ life for the better, it seemed to give him an economic advantage for a period as well. It is noted that early in life Hewes had trouble keeping economically afloat, it’s a problem that doesn’t seem to change throughout his life. Had it not been for the Revolution, it isn’t a far reach to say that Hewes would’ve been stuck as an impoverished shoemaker supporting his wife and many children. It’s not to say that Hewes benefitted greatly, or even remotely from the Revolution, but it did give him, and other penniless, average Americans the opportunity to at least attempt to make a more stable livelihood for themselves. Further into the piece, the author describes Hewes’ attempt at being a Privateer, which was essentially “legalized piracy with a share of booty for each pirate” (p. 604). Although Privateering proved “disastrous” for Hewes, he was at least given the chance to attempt something so incredibly dissimilar from his practiced method of occupation. Privateering, and war “meant opportunity: a chance to escape from the humdrum occupation never to his liking” and “above all, a chance to accumulate the capital that could mean a new shop, apprentices, and journeymen, perhaps a start in something new altogether” (p. 604-605). Had there not been a Revolution, or war, as described, there would’ve been little to no opportunity for Hewes to even attempt something as far-fetched as Privateering. The same could be said for thousands of other Americans, the war gave them an economic opportunity seeing as though “‘a whole country’ was ‘Privateering mad’” (p.