The Revolution: Receipts of Resistance

This film shows how the American Revolutionary War extended far beyond the battlefield into the daily economic lives of colonists. With limited power to tax, the Continental Congress relied heavily on printing currency, which led to severe inflation and the devaluation of money—captured in the phrase “not worth a Continental.” Receipts and account books from the era reveal rapidly rising prices and widespread shortages of goods. As access to British imports declined, colonists adapted by substituting products and participating in boycotts, turning everyday purchasing decisions into political acts. Women played a central role in this economic resistance, managing household consumption and supporting the war effort. Records connected to George Washington show that women also contributed as suppliers to the army. Through receipts, ledgers, and financial records, the film highlights how economic hardship, resourcefulness, and political resistance were deeply intertwined in the lived experience of the Revolution.