The Evolutionary Nature of the American Revolution (P2)

PASSAGE 2

The American Revolution was not a revolution in the sense of a radical or total change. It was not a sudden and violent overturning of the political and social framework, such as later occurred in France and Russia,when both were already independent nations. Significant changes were ushered in, but they were notbreathtaking. What happened was accelerated evolution rather than outright revolution. During the conflict itself people went on working and praying, marrying arid playing. Most of them were not seriously disturbed by the actual fighting, and many of the more isolated communities scarcely knew that a war was on.

Yet even he political overturn was not so revolutionary as one might suppose. In some states, notably Connecticut and Rhode Island, the war largely ratified a colonial self - rule already existing. British officials, everywhere ousted, were replaced by a home- grown governing class which promptly sought a local substitute for king and Parliament.