Radicalism of the American Revolution (Essay Sample)

GORDON WOOD: RADICALISM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
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August 11, 2015
The Radicalism of the American Revolution is a bestseller being written by Gordon Wood. The book involves the creation of the Republic of America from 1776 to 1787. Essentially, the author of this book explores the intellectual underpinnings that occurred in that era. It is an excellent work, and wholly deserving an award prize. The book develops a meticulous, detailed, rigorous, compelling and rigorous image of a society, which transforms itself to Republicanism, market-driven capitalism, and democracy from one that is comprised of feudal relationships. Fundamentally, Wood presents the argument that the Revolution of America was a radical era in the history of the world, one that led to many political, social, and economical developments not only in America but also in other parts of the world. He argues that the Republican revolution should deservedly be recognized as the greatest movement of utopia in the history of America. The book highlights the main aim of the revolutionaries: a reconstitution of the society of America.[Wood, Gordon S. The radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage, 2011.]
The American revolutionaries aimed at destroying the ties that held the older society of monarchy together-patronage, kinship, and patriarchy-and in their place, to put new social bonds of consent, respect, and love in their place. The endeavored to construct a government and society based on disinterested public leadership and virtue as well as to set a moral government in motion, which would, in the end, be felt across the globe. The book examines the role of American revolutionaries in advocating for a society that is based on quality of life. Wood argues that almost all Americans cherished the idea of equality as seen in accomplishment and labor. He further states, "Perhaps, there is nothing that separated Americans during the early-nineteenth century from Europeans than their egalitarian sense and attitude towards, which demanded that every person was to participate”.Wood highlights that ideological issues and ideas matter in the American history context. While the reality of self-interest cannot be ignored, ideals and ideas serve as crucial motivations for carrying out actions. Starting with colonial assemblies, the focus of this book is representation and this will serve as a very important resource for investigation of how the main reasons why the 13 colonies decided to fight against Britain.[Wood, Gordon S. "The Radicalism of the American Revolution: How a Revolution Transformed a Monarchical Society into a Democratic One Unlike Any that Had Ever Existed." (1991).]
Wood writes about how the American colonies built a legacy of institutions that were representative, which eventually helped in having a vital consensus that led to the achievement of independence. At every moment of the American history, all Americans had a strong sense of their moral obligation and a self-determination imperative characterized by such instances as Boston Tea Party. The books the readers about how the American colonies took great pride in forming assemblies, and in every respect the perceived themselves as the final authority. If anything, the Americans were only answered to the king, instead of the parliament, which sought to exercise more dominion over the colonies, particular through taxation that was required to cater for the many services that it the colonies were afforded. Wood makes note of how various agents including Benjamin Frank made determined petition in parliament for the colonies to be rightly recognized and protected. However, the author reveals that when the colonies were not accorded their proper rights, they opted to rebel.
The most intriguing thing in this book, is how Wood analyses the reluctance of Americans in severing its ties from England. Americans came to the realization that the establishment of many of their institutions emerged from the ideas of English Republican. It was an evolving and slow revolution, carrying along this concepts to their ultimate realization. In praise of themselves, the Americans saw that they had excelled in an area where the Britain had experienced failure, that is, in creating a representative government. Wood provides an intellectual and detailed analysis of the occurrences and events that shaped the revolution of the Americans, and how it was an outgrowth of an ever increasing and dynamic society.[Wood, Gordon S. "The Radicalism of the American Revolution: How a Revolution Transformed a Monarchical Society into a Democratic One Unlike Any that Had Ever Existed." (1991).]
The book is good exposition of the radical nature of the American Revolution. The author plays down some of the cherished notions in the contemporary world that the revolution was mild and conservative; this was an idea cherished and advanced by the conservative "consensus" historians. In every colonial era, America is portrayed as unique and different form other priests, nobles, and kings of the Western world. Indeed, Americans were ruled by a hereditary monarchy and minions and sycophants, although at best, the system was shaky. This governing system was further weakened by the absence residential nobles within the colonies. While aristocracy is a power that had a significant influence in America, it was not as powerful as that in Europe. Wood lays emphasis on the foundations of the revolution, and illustrates how American colonists were sensitive, and contentious to any intrusion of liberty. Further, he outlines the humble but vibrant beginnings of America’s market economy, which commenced the work of liberating Americans from elitist economic and mercantilist elites.
The American Revolution resulted in enormous changes in the American system of governance, bringing ordinary people into the various ranks of the government. This great accomplishment did not come overnight, it was achieved through the determined efforts of revolutionaries as they fought the idea of "gentleman" ruling people. It gradually gave way to democracy and classical forces. The revolution led to many changes in the history of American other than the governance: family relationships, commerce, religion, slavery, and voter suffrage. It became apparent that Americans no longer lived in subservience and for the virtue idea to their "superiors”, but realized that economic prosperity and individual freedom was theirs to explore and reap what benefits they could to their advanagte. Public life was now separated from private life and people begun adopting the idea that people seeking their own interest were fulfilling what should be the society’s ideal. This explains why most scholars find the American Revolution to be more radical as compared to the Russian and French revolutions. The author gives insight into why America revolution, which resulted in more freedom for citizens, was more radical than the aforementioned revolution whose end was nepotism.[Wood, Gordon S. Revolutionary characters: What made the founders different. Penguin, 2006.] [Wood, Gordon S. Representation in the American Revolution. University of Virginia Press, 2008.]
Creation of reforms in the private sector and other societies is an interesting topic that Wood presents in this book. Groups...