Did the American Revolution bring true social changes?

Hello,

“We the people”, the casual phrase that begins the American
Constitution sums up the true social change that was brought about by
the American revolution.  With the revolution, America broke away from
the British Empire, and adopted a government based on a democratic
theory that all governments derive their just powers form the consent
of the governed.  This was indeed a revolutionary and historic act.

At that time,  all large, long lasting governments derived their power
from its Monarch.  The power of the British government lay
unquestioning in the king’s sovereignty.  The American Revolution
created a large, successful republic.  Reformers and advocates of
political change have since looked on its success as an inspiration
for the creation of modern republican movements all around the world.

There were political groups in early America who wanted power to
remain in the hands of the aristocracy; which would have been no
significant change from the old British system.  However, the
democratic nature of the revolution included a call for
anti-aristocratic reforms.  While the American Constitution did leave
out several classes of people, it was the first attempt to document
the innate equal rights of all citizens.  It went a long way towards
securing those rights, and through time it has proven to have staying
power as well as he ability to mature and expand the rights to more
classes of people.  So, the American Revolution was indeed a social
revolution that brought about the recognition and protection of the
inalienable rights of all persons.

Here are some articles that you might be interested in reading.

American Revolution: a revolution?
http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/E/revolution/revoxx.htm

Liberty! The American Revolution
http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/

The Founding Fathers:  Delegates to the Constitutional Convention
http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/charters_of_freedom/constitution/founding_fathers.html

A Hypertext On American History
http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/


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I hope this answers your question.
pba

Thank you for the quick response and for framing the response in a
manner that is easy to understand.

Excellent answer. Much of the sucess of 19 th century USA is a direct
result of illiminating the arostocracy. Unfortunately a new
aristocracy (called lots of things, but not aristocracy) has since
arrisen and the advantages are dwindling. The Libertarian party =
liberty = lots less government is the priciple voice to return to the
values of yester-year, but there are several other very minor parties
making similar claims. Less intrusive government is a regular platform
of the Republican party, but Republicans have long history of not
delivering on this promise.   Neil