By Timothy Kestrel Colonial Americans. Taverns, brothels, and sex shops were an essential part of the cultural fabric of early America.
Their emergence attributed to apparent freedom of choice in matters of sociability contributed to a distinct way of life identified with people in the thirteen colonies. A rich historiography gradually evolved out of these institutions and shaped the American identity that become the driving force behind the revolution and the successful fight for independence. Taverns were the most significant place for a community gathering in early America. The preeminence in social life allows them to become a crucial constituent of society and a character in the War of Independence.
Located along travel routes, they were meant to offer food, drinking and lodging facilities. With the passage of time, their purpose outweighed the core function and taverns became post offices, polling stations, newspaper delivery places, leisure and game centers and even exclusive meeting places for people in the community.
In its primary role, a tavern was a place of business. But taverns also played a prominent role in military and political matters. He used the place to recruit soldiers, meet leaders and stage a diplomatic offensive against the loyalists. The cradle of Masonic teachings, the tavern was also the place where the US Marine Corps was first established. People gather at taverns and discuss politics that gave a fillip to anti-British sentiments while military used the places for recruiting, spying, meeting and strategic discussions.
When the Continental Congress was convened in Philadelphia, people throng taverns to know about it major decisions. This was also the place where George Washington bid farewell to the ranks of the Continental Army following the British capitulation in Despite opposition by Puritans and others, brothels in early America were tolerated by state and local authorities. Discretion played a crucial role in prostitution, which was never an eye-catching public issue except on random occasions.
