On 4th July 1776, outside Independence Hall, Philadelphia, the first official reading of the Declaration of Independence commenced and for the first time the American people heard the immortal lines; “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Such words followed the likes of “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” in 1775 and the events of the Boston Tea Party in 1773 and the Boston Massacre in 1770. From such statements and actions, the risk and passion with which the colonists opposed the Crown before the War had even begun, it can be seen that a driving force behind the political movement ,the military revolution and the social reconstruction, was the concept of liberty and freedom from tyranny; “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.” Although this revolution did achieve the overthrowing of the British colonialist government, the extent to which the Founding Fathers were successful in creating the republic dreamt of in the hearts of the revolutionaries, rather than merely replicating the systems of colonial Europe, is a highly contestable issue. This essay shall seek to argue that the American Revolution did manage to achieve a “new world”, but that some mirroring was inevitable due to shared social concepts and political origins. Many of the goals laid down in the Declaration such as the “unalienable rights” were accomplished with their enshrining in the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution, ratified 15th December 1791. The perceived failures with the American Revolution, that it simply replaced the ruling elite rather than altering the concept of governing America, are merely the result that some goals were perhaps simply a step too far, both for the era and due to the corruptibility of human nature; one need only look at Benedict Arnold to observe such weaknesses. Politically, there was some mirroring; but only at the base level. Socially, America truly became a “new world” with highly radical viewpoints on sections of society when compared to Great Britain. [...]
Table of Contents
- SECTION 1: POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AS A RESULT OF THE REVOLUTION
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to analyze the extent to which the American Revolution created a truly "new world," distinct from its European origins, or merely replicated existing systems. It explores the political and social transformations resulting from the revolution, examining both the successes and limitations in achieving the ideals of liberty and freedom.
- The creation of a new political system diverging from European models
- The impact of the Declaration of Independence on social and political ideals
- The transition from the Articles of Confederation to the US Constitution
- The extent to which the revolution achieved the goals of liberty and freedom from tyranny
- Comparison of the new American society with its British counterpart
Chapter Summaries
SECTION 1: POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AS A RESULT OF THE REVOLUTION: This section examines the political legacy of the American Revolution, focusing on how the newly founded nation diverged from, and in some ways mirrored, the political structures of colonial Europe. It begins by analyzing the impact of the Declaration of Independence, highlighting its revolutionary concepts like the American Dream and its contrast with the limited franchise and social hierarchy of Britain. The adoption of the Articles of Confederation is discussed as a significant step towards a unified nation, though its weaknesses are also acknowledged. The section then transitions to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, emphasizing the shift from a weak confederation to a more robust federal system inspired by Montesquieu's ideas of separation of powers. However, the chapter also points out continuities with the "old world," such as the bicameral legislature and property requirements for voting, showcasing the complex interplay between revolutionary ideals and the realities of the time. The inherent tension between the desire for a strong central government and the fear of replicating the flaws of British governance is a recurring theme, illustrated through the failures of the Articles and the eventual adoption of the Constitution as a means of achieving "a more perfect Union."
Keywords
American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, United States Constitution, Liberty, Freedom, Tyranny, Political Development, Social Change, Montesquieu, Separation of Powers, American Dream, Egalitarianism.
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The text aims to analyze how the American Revolution created a "new world," examining whether it truly diverged from European origins or replicated existing systems. Key themes include the creation of a new political system, the impact of the Declaration of Independence, the transition from the Articles of Confederation to the US Constitution, the achievement of liberty and freedom, and a comparison between the new American and British societies.
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Section 1 analyzes the political legacy of the American Revolution, focusing on its divergence from and similarities to European political structures. It covers the impact of the Declaration of Independence, the adoption and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and the tension between a strong central government and the fear of replicating British governance. The section highlights the interplay between revolutionary ideals and the realities of the time, including continuities with the "old world."
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Key terms include: American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, United States Constitution, Liberty, Freedom, Tyranny, Political Development, Social Change, Montesquieu, Separation of Powers, American Dream, and Egalitarianism.
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- Steve Dunne (Autor:in), 2011, Did the American Revolution create a new world or did it merely remain a mirror of the old world?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/182206
