The 1787 Constitution as Counterrevolution: America’s Thermidorian Reaction

Source: Ludwig von Mises Institute
by Ryan McMaken

“Throughout much of the nineteenth century, and into the twentieth, the American Revolution had often been framed according to the ‘neo-whig’ narrative in which the American Revolution was very non-radical, and represented a sort of conservative revolution which, because of its lack of radicalism, differed from virtually every other revolution in the past several centuries. This narrative was revived and promoted by conservatives in the 1950s who sought, as a Cold War measure, to discourage revolution of all types, and to foster greater support for the American regime. Yet, some historians have argued otherwise, including Rothbard. … Russian historian Aleksandr Fursenko explored the debate over whether or not the new Constitution of 1787 was in line with ‘the Spirit of ‘76’ or if it represented a counterrevolution against the ideology behind the Declaration of Independence.” (09/30/26)

https://mises.org/mises-wire/1787-constitution-counterrevolution-americas-thermidorian-reaction