The review of " The Radicalism of the American Revolution"

From monarchy and dependency to Democracy and change, the American Revolution brought on a radical change for the colonist. The book that I read over the summer is called The Radicalism of the American revolution by Gordon S. Wood. It Basically explains ( from Wood's point of view) how drastic the change was for the colonist. The three major themes of the book were Monarchy , Republicanism , and Democracy. Monarchy is the first theme

The definition of a monarchy is a political system in which a country or state is ruled by a monarch (Member of the royal family). During the Eighteenth century the colonist were ruled under the British monarchy . In the book Wood Often states " Living in a monarchy first of all meant being a subject of a king, and being a subject implied they were a society of dependent beings". Another thing people fail to realize is that the colonist were still very traditional. Everyone and everything was intertwined with each other. Whether it was the house hold or the whole community.One could not travel to another city with out being known. Another issue was the major similarities between the mother country and the colonies. Englishmen and women who visited the colonies commented on how some of the towns in the new world resembled their own. Another thing in common between them is the manners, morals, and amusement. This shows that at some point before the revolution the Britons and colonist were alike. They,both also showed much pride for their so called "Independence" which the were known for around the world. the last thing is the Aristocracy. In the mother country the aristocracy made up only 4-5%. Everyone who was a aristocrat had land and money , which only few had so that the percent. In the colonies any man with land was considered a "Gentlemen" . Almost every other man had land so most were allowed to vote. Being a gentlemen also meant people looked up to you . This also shows some type of dependency. If people look up to you they depend on you to show them the way to prosperity. It was also said you were not made a gentlemen , you were born one. Unfortunately for the British this monarchical society in the new world didn't last.

The definition of a Republic is a political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them. During this time a Republican view of society started to reveal itself. It did not replace it over night, it simply wore away. The first people who invoked the idea of Republicanism were the intellectuals of the enlightenment. At first tons were opposed to the idea, but as time went on they started to want to be enlightened so they could improved their government. Soon people started to migrate from one place to another. Children started to leave home sooner , and their wants seen to out weigh the long line of tradition. The intertwines of the community and family started to brake. Apr. 19, 1775, shots had been exchanged between colonialist and British soldiers, men were killed, and the war had started.

The definition of Democracy is Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives. During this time of war,the revolutionaries wanted nothing less then a reconstitution the American society. All Americans believed in the revolution and its goals but most peoples confidence waded back and forth.The one thing that kept them all together was the idea of Equality. That as soon as they won the war every man would be equal. That also meant that gentry would no longer be so powerful, equality applied to all.This alarmed Gentry though, the fact that maybe ordinary people would be working with Gentry side by side. Eventually they won the war and began prosperous, because ordinary people, just like you and me were working harder to succeed.

In the end the American people won .Everyone believed in the public power of opinion. This opinion lasted through the century's and still remains till this day. Through Monarchy to Democracy we are a people of freedom and choice. None of this would be possible if the colonist didn't believe in a equal society , though to me the our society isn't completely equal . As Wood said "The American Revolution created this democracy, and we are living with it's consequences still".