A Study On The Relations Between The North American Jewish Community And The American Revolution

The American Revolution which occurred in 18 th century in the United Stated was not only the beginning of a new era, but also opened a new chapter in the history of the American Jewish community. During the American Revolution, Jewish community in North America has more than a hundred years. Although the number of Jewish community was small, north American Jewish community mainly distributed in the eastern coastal port city of North American colonies and actively participated in business activities.Jewish community was to build a sound business network and to be an actively group in American minority and has great influence on American politics and economy.During the Revolution, American forces together supported against British rule, and Jews was one of mainly part of them. When the Revolutionary war broke out, the Jewish attitude on the Revolution split into three, support, against or neutral, but most Jews were tend to support. During the American Revolution, the Jewish contribution to the Revolution can not be ignored. Ideology, the democracy and freedom in Jewish traditional culture played an ideological inspiration role, Salvador’s sacrifice inspired the American consciousness against British colonial rule. Economically, Jewish financiers, suppliers and privateer owner utmost their efforts. The financiers provided financial support and financial loans, Regardless the danger, suppliers provided goods and services for the Revolution. Jewish privateers and smugglers attacked British ships and by using non-legitimate way to trade British troops. Militarily, Jewish adult men actively took part in the Continental army and bravely fought the enemy, There were more and more Jewish people who participated in the organization of self-defense militia organization,and fought to defend freedom and homeland.The participation of American Jews had an positive impact on the Jews, and Jews gradually gained equal citizenship and the right to religious freedom, the right to a series of sound economic and social rights. The American Revolution made Jews have deeper exchanges with the mainstream society, and accelerated Jews agreed the American social and political values. With the pervasive influence of American culture, assimilation and secularization tendency among Jews appeared, Jews facing a new identity crisis and Anti-Semitism also rose. In order to confronted challenges and get rid of cultural plight, Jews themselves recognized this situation and attempted to try to adjust the tension between Jewish culture and American culture. This effort was to try not only to maintain the Jewish society stable, but also layed a solid foundation for the American Jewish community prosperity in the future.