Which key principle was established as a result of the American Revolution?

The American Revolution fundamentally established the principle of self-government, which is the idea that the authority of government is created and sustained by the consent of its people. This was a significant departure from the monarchical rule where kings held power without the consent of the governed. The revolution was driven by a desire for independence from British control and the assertion that individuals have the right to determine their own governance.

Self-government emphasizes the importance of popular sovereignty, where the people have the ultimate say in their political structure and the laws that govern them. This was enshrined in foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence and later the Constitution, which highlighted the role of citizens in choosing their representatives and participating in the political process.

While other principles like the right to bear arms, universal suffrage, and separation of powers are important in their own contexts, they were either not fully realized immediately following the revolution or emerged later in American political development. Self-government was at the heart of the revolutionary cause, making it the key principle established as a result of the American Revolution.