The American Revolution: A Social Revolution

The American Revolution changed the political and social aspects of the United States. After the war ended many things changed in the states. From the political stand point women still had power but gained a few rights after the war and since the states where now free from British rule they could now create their own form of central government and elected a leader. On the social and economical side the belief of egalitarianism was widely being accepted, and mercantilism ended so the colonies were no longer forced from imported and export goods to England.

The American Revolution caused a change in America that was far greater than just the forming of an independent nation. In the years after the revolution, a government had to be set in place. The new nation was greatly influenced by models of previous governments, including Great Britain and ancient Greece and Rome. Despite the great change in political structure, aspects of social culture were influenced by the revolution as well, especially in the areas of slavery and the status of women.

The American Revolution changed American politically by allowing the people to be governed by representation, a central government, and a state government. Americans wanted a government different from the one of England so they created their own. Document I, informs us from a Federalists point of view that abuses of government must be controlled, the need of control of

Although the American Revolution led to the establishment of the United States, it was not revolutionary to the culture and social norms of the time.

During the mid 20th century most historians agreed with Daniel Boorstin when he stated that "the most obvious peculiarity of our American Revolution is that, in the modern European sense of the word, it was hardly a revolution at all"¦On the contrary, ours was one of the few conservative colonial rebellions of modern times." (Spillman, 2010) What Boorstin was referring to was the fact that there was not a great amount of overt political or social change as a result of the

The American Revolution was the beginning of a new country, and in result, a new people. The society of America was drastically effected, and it became very different from the other european countries. The new thinking of the citizens, and the political leaders resulted in a change in the social, political, and economic make up of American society.

It appears to me that the historians in this article based their concepts of the American Revolution according to what was happening in their own eras. Carl Becker, conducted his study of New York, in 1909, and J. Franklin Jameson’s The American Revolution Considered as a Social Movement, were both from the progressive era (1873-1920), and their work seems to reflect that period of social activism and political reform. Arthur M. Schlesinger, who wrote a book in 1917, upheld that colonial merchants had a greater influence, by wanting to escape British restrictions policies, thus arousing resistance throughout America.

The American Revolution is typically looked at as a conservative movement, but it seems most of the actions taken were very radical. They were fighting to defend their rights, governed and natural. The American Revolution was as radical as any other revolution, in a special 18th century way, and this seems to hold true while looking at the new waves of thinking. It involves the Whigs and Tories, and while they are at opposite sides of the spectrum, they consecutively agreed to not address and higher-law principles so they would not have to rework their entire system.. The Revolution worked against this, and the parties chose to pretend it was not a serious movement and act, as they believed it would not take any effect. More people got involved and all aspects of life began to be questioned and revolutionized. The Revolution seems to be radical in a more definitive way as it caused segregation of beliefs, the Declaration of independence, and

The American Revolution did a lot more than change the method of governance. After the war the spirit of equality weakened old habits of difference. The new political opportunities offered by the creation of state government led more

The American Revolution was a spontaneous event, so random that it should not have been plausible, meaning it was definitively premeditated. The conspirators were the American aristocracy, manifested into the Continental Congress, the Loyal Nine, and any institutions which represented the interests of the elite and catalyzed dissent. The primary concern is then, did this nobility cooperate with or manipulate the inferior social classes in revolutionary occupation, and were the interests of the two entities aligned in this pursuit. Ultimately, it is evident that an American cabal was motivated by enticing economic opportunities to wrestle the Colonies from Britain in a shrewd business move. Although some historians argue that the activities

The American Revolution, perhaps the most significant event in the history of the United States, was indeed radical enough to be considered a true revolution. One historian stated that, “The founding generation articulated enduring political questions and provided the structures by which we still conduct our political lives” (Kerber 25) to emphasize the enormous impact that the revolutionaries had on contemporary American society. These questions and structures however do not only pertain to America’s political system and ideals; they also greatly changed American social standards and practices throughout the years directly preceding and following the revolution.

In the mere beginnings of his presidency in 1801, Thomas Jefferson knew he was to live up to the expectations of the American public. A developing fear of President Jefferson’s were the rumors circulating concerning Spain’s control of the strategic ports of New Orleans. Fervently, the idea of Spain giving the ports back to the original owner of the French was becoming more of a possibility. Realization struck Thomas Jefferson that French military dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte persisted contemplating the plan to control the ports once again, and he wrote, “The cession of the Spanish Province of Louisiana to France, which took place in the course of the late war, will, if carried into effect, make a change in the aspect of our foreign relations which will doubtless have just weight in any deliberations of the Legislature connected with that subject”. By recording this former President Jefferson briefly envisioned altering his traditional foreign policy stance to an anti-French alliance with the British, “France placing herself in that door assumes to us the attitude of defiance. Spain might have retained it quietly for years.… From the moment we must marry ourselves to the British fleet and nation”.

For the elite class, the American Revolution was politically, but not socially radical. Radical is advocating extreme measures to keep a particular status. In a revolution, something that starts on top should end on top. England turned attention to the colonials, imposing new regulations and taxes, jeopardizing the elites’ way of life. The American Revolution was politically radical for the elites because they successfully navigated the steps from English tyranny to a ratified constitution, which created a strong central American government.

The American Revolution, from 1765 to 1783, was a great movement and major changing point for the colonists. The colonists were fed up with all the taxes and unnecessary mistreatment that had been placed on them. The colonists finally had revolted against the British and surprisingly had taken the victory. The colonists were considered underdogs against the very powerful Britain and with much devotion and heart, the colonists pulled out a victory. Taking the victory was a huge turning point because now the colonists were free from British power and were able to form a nation of their own. The wealthy had lots of power and it affected the society a lot. America had created a new government and society, but it led to many problems and protests.

In regards to the American Revolution, the point that armed rebellion became inevitable arrived when after nearly five constant years of American colonist protesting. American 's had enough and needed to take a stand for the numerous inequalities they were forced to deal with. It was foreseeable that the American Revolution took place due to the unfair taxes that the British were giving Americans. Also, England was not allowing Americans their freedom, along with violence and the political dominance by the Parliament over the colonies by announcing the Stamp Act in 1765, which happened to nearly affect all Americans tremendously.