The Radicalism of the American Revolution: Factors that Shifted the Colonies from Monarchy to Republicanism

This article discusses the major factors that shifted the American colonies from monarchy to republicanism during the American Revolution. It explores the role of corruption, religion, and civic values in shaping the revolution. The author, Gordon Wood, provides insights into the ideological concepts and beliefs that contributed to the shift.

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Forum: Getting started in the discussion board
Date 13/03/2019
Author: Gordon Wood's
Subject: The Radicalism of the American Revolution
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Discussion: What were some of the major factors that shifted the colonies, soon to be
America, from Monarchy to Republicanism?
The American Revolution formed the authoritative literature of this culture and its key values
and concepts former part of a civic and patriotic ideal in which the colonies were found. The
colonies citizenship and stability was highly threatened by increased corruption (Greene, 2010).
The monarchy government had difficulties identifying out the paradoxical key source of
corruption activities which usually operated using modes of patronage, faction and organized
armies. These formed part of the major factors leading to the revolution.
Response: In response to participant’s one question regarding the liberty an American loyalist, it
is the responsibility of Loyalists to republican qualities was a critical intellectual establishment
factor of the American colonies revolution from monarchy to republicanism. Specifically, the
key factor was Nationalists' serious dread of political corruption and the danger it presented to

independence. Researchers argue that the existing ministerial conspiracy against liberty that
ultimately rose from the corruption prevailing was absolutely a major factor contributing to the
revolution of the colonists’. Several newspapers were broadly reproduced and spread made
American nauseate with British corruption. The patriotic report press emphasized the existing
British mismanagement of funds and tyranny hence contributing immensely to the revolution
(Wood, 2011). It was seen as very corrupt and hostile thus became a threat to America idea of
independence. The colonists associated the challenges with luxury leading to condemnation of
the monarchy system and independence. According to Gordon wood, republicanism indicates
American Revolution in regards to Republican resistance to British imperial political corruption.
This was one of the major factors that contribute to the shift of American colonies.
Response: In response to participant’s 2 question regarding the role of religion in revolution its
event that various historians cited that during the American Revolution some of the Christians
associated their religion to the revolution from monarchy to republicanism. It is evident that with
the onset of the existing revolutionary crisis, a major factor involved conceptual shift which
highly led to Americans in the theological domain to believe in revolution. The new mix of
Christina values and republican ideas contributed to the embracement of the entire concept of
republican revolution by the typical religious traditionalist.
The historian, Gordon wood has associated the ideological concepts of liberty, equality,
constitutionalism and the citizen's well-being to American exceptionalism beliefs. These beliefs
resulted from the revolutionary era from monarchy to republicanism. The author argues that the
American citizens had a unique destiny and qualities that led towards liberty and the issue of
democratic revolution. It is evident that American have always been the protectors of liberty

concept which is a huge obligation and long term strategy for adoption of the republican system
from the monarchical system and dependence (Kretchik, 2011).
Response: This in response on participant’s 3 query on the past historical legitimacy of British
rulers. The thought that English rulers were not ethical, nor practicing their power for the
"benefit of human culture" incited the frontierant to ensure and restore republican qualities in
government. This need to ensure excellence was a philosophical supporting of the American
Revolution (Bailyn, 2017).
The second stream of thought developing in hugeness was the established classical liberalism of
John Locke, including his hypothesis of the "social contract". This factor highly influenced the
revolution as it suggested the intrinsic right of the general population to oust their leaders should
those pioneers betray key agreements understood in the sovereign-adherent relationship. This
eventually led to the ultimate commitment to republicanism.
According to wood (2011), there also existed a conflict between individual economic interest and
the ideas of classical republicans.
Another major factor was the issue of civic value. Gordon states that Men must be prepared, they
should pride themselves, and be cheerful to forfeit their private Delights and Interests. They
should be passionate about the strong connections when they remain in Rivalry with the
Privileges of social rights.
The historian Gordon stressed that business may have a monetary interest that tangled with
republican obligation; for sure, he was particularly suspicious of banks. He chose that history
instructed that "the spirit of commerce ... is incongruent with that immaculateness of Heart, and
Enormity of a soul which is important for a cheerful Republic." (Bonwick, 2017). In this case,

the spirit of commerce had adversely infected the American colonies hence the need for
revolution from the monarchical system and dependence to republicanism.
American republicanism was focused on constraining corruption and political greediness from
the monarchical system. Virtue was absolutely critical for American citizens and delegates.
American revolutionary took a significance lesson from old Rome; they realized it was important
to maintain a strategic distance from the extravagance that had wrecked the empire. An ethical
native was one who overlooked fiscal pay and made a pledge to oppose and completely eradicate
corruption from monarchical systems (Kretchik, 2011).

References
Bailyn, B. (2017). The ideological origins of the American Revolution. Harvard University
Press.
Bonwick, C. (2017). English radicals and the American revolution. UNC Press Books.Havard
62(3) pp 412-416
Greene, J. P. (2010). The constitutional origins of the American Revolution. Cambridge
University Press.
Kretchik, W. E. (2011). us Army Doctrine: From the American Revolution to the War on terror.
University Press of Kansas.
Wood, G. S. (2011). The creation of the American republic, 1776-1787. UNC Press Books.
Wood, G. S. (2011). The radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage.