American Revolution created an independent republic

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    The American Revolutionaries were inspired by Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who argued that all people are born with certain natural rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property. They believed that governments should be established to protect these rights, and that the people have the right to overthrow a government that fails to do so. The American Revolutionaries put these ideas into practice by drafting the Declaration of Independence, which states that "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." The American Constitution also enshrines the principle of popular sovereignty. Article I, Section 1 states that "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives." This means that the people elect representatives to Congress to make laws on their behalf. Equality Another important difference between the American and European conceptions of politics is the American emphasis on equality. The American Revolutionaries believed that all people are created equal and that they have the same rights, regardless of their social status, race, or religion. This was in contrast to the European model of society, which was highly stratified. The nobility enjoyed special privileges, while the peasantry was subject to many restrictions. The American Revolutionaries put their belief in equality into practice by abolishing the monarchy and establishing a republic. They also drafted the Bill of Rights, which guarantees certain fundamental rights to all Americans, including the right to free speech, the right to bear arms, and the right to a fair trial. Limited government The American Revolutionaries also believed in limited government. They believed that the government should only be as powerful as necessary to protect the rights of the people. This was in contrast to the European model of absolutism, in which the ruler had unlimited power. The American Revolutionaries put their belief in limited government into practice by drafting the Constitution, which divides the government into three branches: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. Each branch has its own powers and responsibilities, and the branches are designed to check and balance each other. Conclusion The American Revolution created a new conception of politics that was different from the prevailing European model in a number of ways. The American Revolutionaries believed in popular sovereignty, equality, and limited government. These ideas were enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and they continue to shape American politics today.  

Sample Answer

   

The American Revolution created a new conception of politics that was different from the prevailing European model in a number of ways.

Popular sovereignty

One of the most significant differences was the American conception of popular sovereignty, or the idea that the government derives its authority from the consent of the governed. This was in direct contrast to the European model of monarchy, in which the ruler was believed to have been divinely ordained