Changes During The American Revolution

Prior to the American Revolution, no other historical people had explicitly voted on a written constitution, and while ancient Greece and Rome operated as a democracy, neither were actually founded in full democratic fashion (Amar, 2005). The course of events that unfolded during the Revolutionary period leads one to believe that the inception of the United States did unfold in two different and unique stages. In the words of Benjamin Rush, " The American war is over: but this is far from being the case with the American revolution. On the contrary, nothing but the first act of the great drama is closed. It remains yet to establish and perfect our new forms of government, and to prepare the principles, morals, and manners of our citizens for these forms of government after they are established and brought to perfection" (Bailyn, 19).

The tone of American society was forever changed during the
The Revolutionary period provided the inspiration of many different feelings captured by various authors by means of pamphlets and essays, which brought the discussion of equality and liberty to the forefront of colonial thought. The Stamp Act had propelled three generations of political thought between the time if was enforced to its being repealed. However, it also began the dialogue of how the colonies should be governed. As the colonists reflected on reproducing English institutions, they referred back to a time of medieval Parliament; when it behooved the towns and counties to operate autonomously. The Stamp Act and the idea of virtual representation brought about the discussion of elected representatives for each colony and how they should perform as "trustees for their constituents to transact for them the business of government" (Bailyn). It was felt these representatives should be held accountable for the power delegated to