The American Revolution was the result of a series of social, political, and intellectual transformations in early American society and government, collectively referred to as the American Enlightenment.

Most important among the ideas of the American Enlightenment were the concepts of liberalism, democracy, republicanism, and religious tolerance. Collectively, the belief in these concepts by a growing number of American colonists began to foster an environment which would lead to a new sense of political and social identity.

The colonies broke ties with the British Empire in July 1776, when the Congress issued the United States Declaration of Independence, rejecting the monarchy on behalf of the new nation separate and external to the British Empire.

Among the important results of the revolution was the creation of a democratically-elected representative government responsible to the will of the people.

Many fundamental issues of national governance were settled with the finishing of the United States Constitution in 1788.  The Constitution established a strong federated government.