A revolution, as defined by the Oxford English dictionary, is the overthrow of an established government or social order by those previously subject to it. Although, the colonists did overthrow the British monarch, there was not enough change in American society for it to be a revolution. After the colonists won the war with Britain, they created their own form of government. A foundation and basis for the newly formed government was the Articles of Confederation, which was largely influence from the British government.
These articles temporarily provided the Americans with law and order, before they wrote the Constitution. The American Revolution caused change politically, in the government, and socially, particularly toward women and slaves, but did not have significantly change America. The Declaration of Independence was an important influence on the Americans when they were planning a new government. Thomas Jefferson’s personal motto was “Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God” (Boorstin 106).
This thought can be seen when Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that “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” (Declaration of Independence). The Americans had this thought in mind when they were writing the Constitution. They hoped to control both state power and government power. The end result was a government that had three branches, each limiting the other’s power.
This is one of the few changes that the Americans had from the British. They also hoped to create a government connected and involved in everything it does. There are many things that convey this thought. An article called The Revolution as a Social Movement, by J. Franklin Jameson, shows this belief. In his paper, he says that “The various fibers of a nation’s life are knit together in great complexity. It is impossible to sever some without also loosening others, and setting them free to combine anew in widely different forms” (Jameson 1).
A political cartoon, called Magna Britannia: her Colonies Reduc’d and drawn by Benjamin Franklin, shows a person with all of her limbs cut off and scattered around her. Behind her is a big and magnificent city with tall buildings and skyscrapers. There is also a shield and a spear next to the soldier. Each of the dismembered limbs of the soldier represents each of the colonies and how they can’t survive without one another. If the colonies do not unite, they won’t be able to fight back and will just lie there helplessly. An important writing that had a big impact on the Americans during these times was Thomas Paine’s Common Sense.
In his pamphlet, Paine offers “nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense” (Paine 1). Paine was the first to present reasons and arguments for colonial independence (Boorstin 98). Throughout his writing, he displays both amusing and accusing tones. He describes Britain, a small island, controlling America, a big continent, as absurd and disrespectful. Paine goes on to ask why the Britain was pursuing the people that they condemned from their homeland (Paine 1). This pamphlet convinced and motivated many Americans to fight for independence and freedom.
A painting, painted in 1851, represents independence is called Washington Crossing the Delaware, painted by Emanuel Leutze. The painter is trying to show how determined the colonists are on this war. This painting also shows how united the colonists have become because of the war. Everyone is working hard and trying their best to cross the icy waters. George Washington is standing proudly at the stern of his boat, to show that his will is not broken and never will be. Although the American government considered new, many laws and concepts were borrowed from England (Boorstin 102).
Jefferson choice to write a declaration rather than a legal document was because of a book called A Summary View of the Rights of British America. Other politicians such as John Adams and Benjamin Franklin also formed many of “their” ideas from the pages of Institutes of the Lawes of England (Boorstin 103). Jefferson did not want to stray too far from his “feeling of belonging to ancient British institution” (Boorstin 107). This is way he did not want to completely remake all of society. Many different types of people were affected by the American Revolution.
Two of the groups that were affected were women and African-Americans. Women despised being treated as less superior to men and wanted to change society’s view on this subject. As John Adams and others were writing the Constitution, Abigail Adams wrote her husband that told him to “remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power in the hands of the husbands” (Adams 1). When he read the letter, he laughed and ignored her request. Before the American Revolution, the majority of African-Americans were slaves.
After the revolution, some of them earned their freedom through fighting but many were forced back into slavery. The free African –Americans were given more freedoms as a result of the revolution. Benjamin Banneker was privileged to get a college education and showed his gratitude by writing a letter to Thomas Jefferson. In the letter, Banneker thanks Jefferson for his willingness to help their cause (Banneker 2). He repeatedly talks about the position that Jefferson is in. He also shows his respect by always calling Thomas Jefferson sir. At the end of his letter he writes “You’re most obedient humble servant” (Banneker 3).
In Jefferson’s letter back to Banneker he writes that everyone must see that everyone is equal regardless of the color of their skin. At the end of Jefferson’s letter he also ends with the same ending as Banneker did. The American Revolution helped the colonists separate and distinguishes themselves from others. During this time period, the colonists founded a new country and a new government. They gained independence and overthrew their previous leaders. Though the revolution caused change in America, it lacked significant change to be called a complete revolution.
