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Elisabeth Gonzalez 1358025
A Transforming Event
The American Revolution is with no doubt one of the most, if not the most
important historical event of this nation. The American Revolution is an ideal illustration
of radical events that resulted in a united nation, free from monarchical society where the
people shared the same ideals and governed the land. The American Revolution was an
extensive and painful process of obtaining what the colonists had envisioned: equality,
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and popular sovereignty, but the result was well
worth it.
The way of life in North America was not as gruesome as people may think.
Colonists had many liberties already. However, the things the colonists wanted the most
were not so easily attainable from the constraints of a monarchy. People became
essentially, what they were born. There was no upward mobility. There was no way for a
commoner to become gentleman. The colonists did not want a king to rule them they
wanted to govern themselves.1
The Revolution set in motion a dispute over the significance of the traditional
British constitution as applied to the colonists in North America. Entrenched in the result
of the Seven Years' War between Britain and France, this disagreement erupted in more
hostility against British authorities. However, for numerous reasons, it was not so easy
for the American colonists. The outline of the dispute that commenced in 1765, with the
John C. Coombs, “To Begin the World Again:” Considering the American Revolution
as a Radical Movement, 3 November 2005
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Stamp Act and the colonists' Stamp Act Congress, sustained for ten years through the
battles of Lexington and Concord and the assembly of the Second Continental Congress.
The colonists held out the quarrel with the British government at two stages -- formal and
informal. The formal phase consisted of the decrees and requests created by town
conferences, colonial parliament, and intercolonial congresses. The informal stage, just as
necessary as the formal level, was a government of custom and manifestation held
elsewhere by colonial radicals. In this interlude, no one contemplated or acknowledged
thoughts of Independence. Throughout the years, among the American colonists, was
instilled the idea that they thought of the same aspirations, that they must perceive
themselves as a united nation with a common goal towards individual rights and
freedoms. The revolution also brought the observation of developing a state political
structure and a public political society.2
One is able to see the colonists’ basic aim for equality, liberty, and popular
sovereignty forthcoming in the most important expression of the American opinion -- the
Declaration of Independence. The Declaration separates into two sections: the foreword,
looking onward, which affirmed the fundamental provisions of American national
freedom and politics, while the body, looking back, included the final statements of the
Americans in the lengthy constitutional controversy with the nation.3 The fight for
sovereignty and freedom was a painful one, with no guarantee and no definite outcome.
The conflict was an extensive, exasperating, and atrocious effort. Colonists understood
2
John C. Coombs, Lecture: Living Through Revolution, 1 November 2005
3
Gordon S. Wood, The American Revolution: A History (2002)
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that a citizen's army was in accord with the doctrines of independence and the
independence for which they struggled. The Revolution described more than just a battle
for liberty from Great Britain. It also was a great effort to identify what the new state
would be by establishing a government, amending the rules of the states, and policing the
allegiance of the American people.4
The colonists received many of the goals they desired after the Revolution. First,
the Americans composed new state constitutions to change their previous colonial
charters and to reinstate a lawful government obtaining its authority from the people.
They thus prepared key contributions to the provisions and sections of constitutionaldrafting and democratic administration. Second, Americans changed their states' laws to
cleanse them of the remnants of colonial history, a transformation that in the subsequent
century would change American law and society. Third, by imposing demands of
allegiance to the Revolution, the Americans shaped the thought that one could select
one's nationality and political allegiance. As the fighting ends, the Americans enforced
rigor assessment of fidelity, imposing to those who desired to end the war to decide sides.
In the course, families were ruined and individual constitutional rights became violated.
However, the Revolution strongly argued how it affected the societal and economic
situation of the American citizens.5
4
Coombs, Living Through Revolution
Coombs, “To Begin the World Again:” Considering the American Revolution as a
Radical Movement
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How did the Constitution reflect the original ideals of the colonists? Firstly, for
the foundation of both political theory and realistic awareness, state politicians chose a
weak and isolated central government instead of a vigorous and strong one. This allowed
the people to have more power over the government in securing their individual rights.
Second, the Constitution approved a brand new person in command in the executive
branch (the President) and a new, federal judiciary -- features that the Confederation did
not have, and that most Americans doubted. This gave the people the power to choose
who they wanted to govern the land as opposed to a king in which they had no choice.
Third, states had their own constitutions, which further secured individual rights. Fourth,
the voting system created, ensured that the people had the right to voice who they wanted
in authority. Even though the Constitution did not ensure equality between the people,
mainly between white men, women and minorities, and did not include a Bill of Rights
initially, it laid the foundation of the basic freedoms and rights of the people and later
went through much ratification.6
The American civilization developed into a free and equal society distinct from
that which the humankind had identified - it was the unrealistic expectation of the
revolutionary leaders themselves and their ambitions that caused the death of aged
monarchical structure and thus permitted a democratic society to surface. The Revolution
was accountable for the true radical modification in the interior standing: the eradication
of slavery in the northern territory, the severance of church and state in the southern
Coombs, “To Begin the World Again:” Considering the American Revolution as a
Radical Movement
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states, the removal of lingering feudal constitutional rights and the implementation of a
unique, republican state constitution including inscribed individual rights that rigorously
framed government power. Thus, the significance of the American Revolution in the
structure of the present social, political and legislative order describes a radical,
transforming event that changed the nation.7
The colonists got what they wanted out of the Revolution. The Declaration of
Independence declared the colonists free from the grips of a monarchy, it gave them
equality, though not the type of equality that one has now, but it was the beginning of
many enduring trials that led to the equality that people enjoy now and it gave them
individual rights as well. The Constitution set the basic freedoms and rights of the people
and formed a new democratic government and society. The Revolution set the foundation
for the many freedoms that modern society has today. One could say that the Revolution
was truly a radical event, for if it were not, then there would not be a United States of
America today.
Coombs, “To Begin the World Again:” Considering the American Revolution as a
Radical Movement
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