Introduction
There is no event in the American history that was so improbable during its time has been seen to be inevitable as the American Revolution; it is among the greatest turning points in western civilization. It began in 1763 when the British probed the Great Britain intrusions into their civil lies and economic progress. The American Revolution was founded on several ideas and events which, combined resulted in a social and political separation of the British possessions from the home country and a cleaving of its former colonies into one sovereign and independent nation. The critical precursor to the revolution was the ideological movement; the American enlightenment. This movement had some ideas and concepts, with the principal concepts being republicanism, liberalism and independence. Jointly the adoption of these ideas by revolutionaries began fostering an intellectual settlement which would lead to a new sense of social and political identity. The Anglo-American colonists who were loyal to the British believed that governments were designed to serve the people, thus they strived to institute a government for themselves (Tucker et al., 2012)
Having conquered the Revolutionary war, a revolutionary settlement had to be negotiated in order to realize the goals of the revolutionaries; liberalism, republicanism and self-governance. After the end of the revolutionary war in 1783, various efforts had been made to realize the ideals of republicanism and liberalism. This paper examines how the revolutionary settlement was successfully accomplished realizing the ideals of the American Revolution. It also presents a clear explanation of how the goals of the revolutionaries were achieved.
Discussion
The ideologies of republicanism and liberalism were facets of the social fabric of Americans which arguably had the greatest impact on the struggle for freedom or independence and the establishment of a constitutional government in the United States (Morton, 2003). Having conquered the Revolutionary war and set forth plans for a revolutionary settlement, the Americans had to institute stable governments in order to realize the goals which informed the American Revolution. From 1776 to 1800, various efforts were made to achieve the goals and ideals of the revolution. State governments were founded in a majority of the states, expanding office holding rights and voting. Legislators allowed citizens to decide which churches they will support with the tax monies, contrary to the colonial government. Various states took on bill of right which guaranteed freedom of assembly, press, and speech alongside trial by jury.
In 1776, the congress adopted a resolution instructing the colonies to establish new governments although most of them had instituted and even enacted a constitution (Shi & Mayer, 2013). The establishment of these governments and the enactment of constitutions offered a splendid chance for the democratic colonies to remedy their protests and to attain their goals for comprehensive government. The resulting constitution portrayed the effects of democratic ideologies even though not a single one attempted to make a drastic cessation with the past. They were established predicated by the colonial practice and experience, and the political philosophy of the French. In reality, the drafting of the constitutions by states led to the realization of the ideals of the revolution. In drafting, the framers had an objective of securing the unalienable rights which its violation had resulted in the repudiation of the English connection. Subsequently each state constitution started off with a bill of rights; the role model being Virginia’s.
In the course of the transformation of the 13 colonies into states and its adjustment to the settings of independence, commonwealths were emerging in the immense expanse of land which stretched from the seaboard settlements to the west. Being attracted by the richest land which had not been discovered and the finest hunting, pioneers moved to the west of the Appalachian Mountains.
After the end of the revolution, America inherited the old baffling western question; “the issues of empire” alongside its impediments of land, settlement, Indians, and dependencies governments. During the colonial era, various colonies possessed extensive claims to lands beyond the Appalachian Mountains. The idea of states inheriting such territorial prizes without claiming was perceived to be unfair. Although unenthusiastically received, what came to be adopted was the idea that the western lands were to be parceled out by the congress to independent and free governments. In 1780, led by the state of New York, various states ceded claims to land, apparently granting the possession of all the lands to the congress (Shi & Mayer, 2013). This mutual possession was the most tangible evidence of unity and nationality which was experienced during the years of trouble and provided a specific substance to the idea or concept of national sovereignty although it pressed for a solution.
In 1787, a solution was attained through the Articled of confederation which unified the colonies (Shi & Mayer, 2013). The solution involved a system of self-government being applied to the western lands to bridge the gap between the statehood and wilderness. The system provided for districts which were ruled by a governor and judges who were appointed by the congress. The district was entitled to two legislative chambers and could send a delegate to the congress. Six articles in the compact provided for liberties and civil rights, education and prohibited servitude and slavery which were common during the colonial period. Therefore a new policy which was predicated on the equality principle was adopted. This policy renounced the earlier doctrine in which colonies existed for the advantage of the British, and were socially inferior and politically subordinate.
However, the articles were ineffective; filed to provide a real national government for the unified 13 states. In 1787, a new constitution was drafted by a convention of delegates, but was to be adopted a year later; 1788 after various states ratified it (Shi & Mayer, 2013). From 1788 to 1800, under the new constitution federalists created a vigorous and strong national government, the economic programs which was formulated by Alexander Hamilton being the secretary of Treasury stimulated economic growth and attracted foreign investment. The formation of political parties was an unanticipated development which politically engaged the voting population. Presidents Washington and Adams managed to keep the nation free from external entanglement during the early crucial years. Although there were threats of secession, external interference with the American commerce, the new country overcame each obstacle to realize the goals of the revolutionary settlement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, by 1815 the Americans had successfully attained the revolutionary settlement realizing the ideals of the American Revolution; liberalism, republicanism and independence. Various efforts had been made to achieve the goals and ideals of the revolution. State governments were founded in a majority of the states, expanding office holding rights and voting. Legislators allowed citizens to decide which churches they will support with the tax monies, contrary to the colonial government. Various states took on bill of rights, enacted constitutions which guaranteed freedom of assembly, press, and speech alongside trial by jury. State government and national government were also established to drive forward a new country ensuring its independence and sovereignty.
References
Morton, J. C. (2003). The American Revolution. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press
Shi, D. E., & Mayer, H. A. (2013). For the record: A documentary history of America. 5th ed. New York: New York: W.W. Norton & Company,
Tucker, S., Arnold, J. R., Wiener, R., Pierpaoli, P. G., & Fredriksen, J. C. (2012). The encyclopedia of the War of 1812: A political, social, and military history. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO
