Essay On Classical Republicanism

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The American Revolution stemmed from the colonists’ hunger for independence from Great Britain. They longed to detach themselves from Britain after numerous events occurred that they deemed unconstitutional and unjust, halting their growth as a society. Their patience was rapidly disappearing and many believed that changes needed to occur in order for the British to not surpass their right of power over the colonies. Numerous events transpired that proved to be unconstitutional, and this outraged the colonists and brought upon a rebellion. As classical republican ideas spread across the growing country, many colonists viewed the actions of the British as abominable, and many unjust events enraged the colonists and provoked the spark of a revolution. …show more content…
Ideas of classical republicanism swept through the colonies and many realized that reforms needed to occur. Classical republicanism was a new, radical set of ideas about government that surrounded the notion of liberty and virtue. This movement valued the people, believing that individuals were virtuous and were willing to surrender themselves for the common good. Republicanism valued independence; ownership of private property was crucial for the welfare of a country, for it were the landowners that could fend for themselves, while people who did not own land were too dependent and without wills of their own, just how many of the British were dependent on their government, this is what the ideas went against. The most powerful idea was that of equality: ordinary people who weren’t as educated and wealthy as some, were not seen as inferior. They possessed much value, for their sincere qualities and trustworthiness were just as crucial for a republic. Rank was not to be seen as the British had created it, with a king on top, whom his father would precede, and many “beneath” him; people were to elect whom they believed was the right fit, ones who had integrity and merit. A republic would favor a “peace-loving diplomacy”, the trust in its’ people to exchange goods in a free manner without the corruption and rivalry that occurred in the past. In all, classical

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