The
Political Revolution
Was
the Revolutionary War a real political revolution or simply a war for
independence fought and won by the rebellious colonists who turned against
their British cousins?
The
war had begun as a fight for the rights of English citizens, became a fight
for independence, and led to prolonged internal debate over the new forms of
government for the new nation.
The
conventional British model sought to balance monarchy, aristocracy, and the
common people. The balance of these sectors of society would preserve
individual liberties.
Americans
looked at this model and realized that their own society was more
democratic than Britain and needed new political assumptions and institutions.
Nonetheless
the new American government, as well as the governments in the various states,
were deeply rooted in the colonial experience, the prevailing point of view of
the Whigs, and the Enlightenment. Ideas such as the contract theory of
government, the sovereignty of the people, the separation of powers, and
natural rights were all important.
The
idea of republican government was radical at the time of the Revolution.
Americans were inspired by the radical elements of British Whiggery. Ideas of
civic virtue from classical times were also influential.
Americans
believed the Old World was corrupted by monarchs and aristocratic power.
Hopeful Americans believed their revolution would usher in a new age of
liberty and virtue unseen since classical times, not only for themselves, but
for all peoples.
The
assumption of power by the state assemblies was revolutionary in the following
sense. Royal governors and officials left the states, Loyalists were kicked
out of the assemblies, and the assemblies now full of Patriots assumed power
illegally.
Written
constitutions (a vague body of law and precedent was insufficient),
governments of law, not men
Representative
government
Bills
of rights (religion, press, speech, assembly, fair trial by jury, equality
before law)
Constitutional
conventions in Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Limits
on the powers of governors
Expansions
of the power of legislatures
Separation
of church and state (official churches in New Hampshire, Massachusetts,
Connecticut)
The
Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 declared: