The American Revolution had a great impact on the national identity of the nation and its unity, self-determination, and state sovereignty. The American Revolution can be characterized as one of the milestone events in American history which led to the formation of the state and the nation. The Thirteen colonies overthrew the British rules and established a new state governed by the American people. During the revolutionary years, the Declaration of Independence was promulgated (1776).
The historical significance of the American Revolution is that it opened new opportunities for the American people to fight for personal freedom and liberty, independence, and self-governance. Therefore, equity and justice were used s the main constitutional principles to support the American title to this vast undeveloped area. It ought to be recognized universally because the new nation would encourage the rapid growth of population and commerce. Nations desiring to achieve these beneficial ends will agree, therefore, that no part of the American union ought ever to be subjected again to foreign rule. Europeans ought to support these doctrines because they had more to gain than to lose by eliminating governmental barriers to economic growth and international commerce. With an independent and developing United States, there would be a steady increase in the production of agricultural and manufactured goods. The population of the lands virtually vacant at that time would probably double in twenty to twenty-five years with no corresponding diminution of it in the European nations from which emigration will have occurred (Wood, p. 44).
The American Revolution and struggle with the British Empire show that it is the duty of nations to recognize the right of expatriation to underpopulated areas richly endowed with resources. This concept derives from natural laws of which mankind are rational observers and agents. The social order should be regulated by “fixed laws” which make the entire scene one of “order and proportion.” The second condition leading to minority rule occurs, when one-third of the population who choose rulers becomes a majority by the “accession” of those whose poverty excludes them from the right to vote and for this reason are likely to join in “sedition” instead of supporting the established government. Where “slavery exists,” republican theory is “more fallacious.” Madison did not elaborate on this excursion into the political theory so that we are left to ponder its implications in conjunction with additional evidence which may permit a reasonable interpretation. These observations implied that a reformed constitution would authorize the federal government to guarantee the states against violence (Wood, p. 49).
The American Revolution changed international relations and opened new opportunities for international trade. The American government received a chance to trade with the rest of the world and supply cotton, tea, and other goods to the Old World. Spain did not fear the rising power of the independent United States as it had when the colonies were an extension of British imperial power. Unfortunately, Spain could hold American power in contempt because of our lack of naval force, our internal dissensions, and our existing system of government. All of these factors made it very difficult to establish and execute an aggressive foreign policy (Wood, p. 47).
Foreign trade improved the economic conditions of the United States and increased the state budget. The paramount need facing the infant nation was the strength to deal effectively with Europe’s great imperial powers. In this situation, the fulfillment of this humane goal might call for an aggressive nationalism on the part of the new republic, however, if the fruits of the Revolution were to be enjoyed fully. A change in government does not terminate the obligations assumed by its predecessors. For this reason, the executive of this government has no authority to suspend or hinder the operation of a treaty, when such a change has occurred. This conclusion is reinforced further by observing that private rights guaranteed by a treaty are subject to judicial cognizance no less than to executive agency here could be the contradictory spectacle of one branch of the American government holding a treaty to be in force and another one ruling to the contrary. Madison’s claim of congressional power to force a president to declare his intentions or the tenor of his negotiations with a potential enemy power is a doctrine tailored to serve a congressional majority in opposition to the president’s desired policy. It does not serve as well, however, as the normal operational rule requiring the nation to speak to others with one authoritative voice after all of our diverse domestic interests have been consulted and reconciled in support of a national position. This idea presupposes that a constitutional sharing of roles requires adherence to the rule of law in the conduct of foreign no less than domestic affairs (Wood, p. 54).
In sum, the American Revolution transformed all spheres of life: political, social, and economic, and marked the formation of the new nation and the state. Every nation has a right to abolish an old government and to substitute a new one for it. The American Revolution provides the lawful tenure which allows America to hold its cultural and social existence.
Works Cited
Wood, G. The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage, 1993.