The American Revolution, as written by historian Gordon Wood was "as radical and as revolutionary as any in history." Twenty- first century definitions of the word radical are: thoroughgoing or extreme, especially as regards change from accepted or traditional forms; favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms, radical ideas and ideologies and forming a basis or foundation. These definitions all apply to the American Revolution by today's standards. When you take a step back and envision the colonists and especially the signers of the Declaration of Independence consider their circumstances. The word radical becomes even more significant and appropriate. In the book, From Resistance to Revolution, historian Pauline Maier gives some insight into the term radical. "To understand the emergent revolutionary movement, this study concentrates upon men in the vanguard of opposition to Britain, whom I have chosen to call "radicals." The term has pitfalls. The word itself is an anachronism, since it was first applied to political groups only in the nineteenth century. (Observers in the 1760's and 1770's sometimes used the word "violent" much as we use "radical," without necessarily implying the commission of acts of violence in the modern sense, which has itself encouraged historical confusion.) "Radical" is, nonetheless, a legitimate and in fact technically exact word for describing men who most thoroughly criticized British governing practices, seeking always a return to what they considered traditional principles of British rule." (Maier, xviii) Prior to tensions mounting with the British Parliament and King, American Colonists were immersed in a society with a class structure and a clear hierarchy with the King at the top. Initially Colonists were very happy to be British subjects but that sentiment dissipated as time progressed and taxes, proc...