Introduction
American Revolution is one of the most prominent and groundbreaking events in the history of the United States of America. The 19th-century war between American and British colonies made an immense impact on the global political situation, as a young nation managed to withstand one of the mightiest military forces. Apart from courageous combat feats, both generals and regular soldiers did not forget about their simple human pleasures, which were quite unusual. Therefore, this paper will discuss the reaction to the documentary on sex during the American Revolution.
General Reaction to the Documentary
The documentary by the XY Factory has provided an entirely new perspective on the most prominent figures in American history, justifying some significant events that influenced the further course of the country’s events. It is not surprising that prostitution has always been a profitable business; however, not many know that it was a necessity for some women. It is a common fact that women in the 19th century did not have equal rights to men, therefore, they could hardly support their family without a partner. Such tough gender-based conditions left some with no other options than to become prostitutes as the only way to provide for the family (DocSpot, 2018). It was and still remains a significant problem among women raising many concerns.
One of the most interesting facts from the video was the usage of clothing and accessories as signs of being open to sexual intercourse. For instance, curtained gestures made with a fan during a conversation with a gentleman were a signal of romantic interest (DocSpot, 2018). Along with this attribute, many other secret signs were present at the balls, where dozens of single young people throughout the American Revolution were seeking intimate pleasure.
A personal shocking revelation was the fact that women followed both American and British troops with hypocritical goals. Initially, as there were no logistical positions in the army, women performed traditional household roles; however, a prominent part of them also wanted to fulfill their primary purpose in life – find a husband. This way, many soldiers from both sides used these women for sexual satisfaction, with only a few later marrying them (DocSpot, 2018). Nevertheless, women continued to follow troopers’ lead, becoming sex toys for them and hoping to once charm a rich soldier.
The Discovery of some surprising facts about a few most significant historical figures astounded me, subsequently changing my attitude towards them. The interference of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington was one of the most unexpected parts of the documentary. Being previously identified as two of the most elegant gentlemen in history, learning about their active social and sexual life altered my perception of them. Such facts prove that regardless of one’s status or military rank, each person has their biological needs that some are pursuing in more of a lecherous manner than others.
Correspondence with Modern Issues
Although all the discussed sexual encounters facts were from the 19th century, some pressing issues can be traced to the present day, one of them being the previously mentioned prostitution matter. Even after two centuries, many women are still forced to choose this industry because of no other option of sustaining their vital needs. Moreover, human trafficking is also an influential constituent of the problem, where many women are forcefully dragged into this industry. Even though people of any century were aware of the issue, only in recent decades, a movement against sex trafficking was recognized.
Another aspect that links the problem to present days is venereal diseases. Even though the healthcare system is much more effective in treating sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), it remains a significant issue among people of all ages. During the American Revolution, military figures and peasants were involved in sexual interactions with multiple partners, many of whom were the carriers of hazardous illnesses (DocSpot, 2018). The epidemic of venereal diseases was at its peak in the 19th century, where if an infection was identified, a series of painful, threatening treatments were used to cure it. Most of the medical methods of treating STDs had harmful side effects such as the loss of teeth. Contemporary medicine provides much more effective curing methods, nevertheless, it remains a significant issue affecting thousands of people daily.
Change of my Understanding of the US
The video did not significantly change my perception of the United States, as socializing did not considerably affect soldiers’ behavior on the battlefield, except for a few people. Only in several mentioned cases did officers betray their country for the pursuit of their love interest. It is vital to understand that people in the 19th century were not much different from today’s population, at least in terms of social and biological needs. Therefore, there should be nothing shameful in a desire for intimacy.
Conclusion
In summary, it is crucial to identify the difference between the society in times of the American Revolution times and modern people. Even though a few facts about norms, behavior, and some people, in particular, are shocking, they were the primary equivalents of flirting and usual standards for the sexual behavior of the period. Some essential episodes indeed had an effect on the American Revolution; however, the majority of them are insignificant. The last compelling detail is the remaining of the industry’s most serious problems such as prostitution and STD epidemics, which have stayed unresolved for centuries and are something everyone should start acknowledging.
Reference
DocSpot. (2018). Sex in the American Revolution (Documentary) [Video]. Web.