Question

What did Americans in the early 1800s mean by the terms equality and independence? What role did these terms play in shaping their social and political ideals?

Answer 1

They believed in democracy and the ability for men to make decisions about their communities and lives as a whole and not being under the power of an authoritative dictator that made decisions for them. This helped shape social and political ideals as it established a basis for law making and leadership. This also influenced ideas on slavery that would later set a basis for cultural and social change.