Final answer:
The colonial elite with the greatest power post-independence were the local leaders and elites who maintained their status through the crafting of conservative state constitutions and governance structures that favored existing power hierarchies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The colonial elite that emerged from the wars of independence with the greatest power were the local leaders and elites who had been at the forefront of the push for autonomy from British rule. Throughout the American Revolution, these elites struggled to create new forms of governance that reflected Enlightenment ideals, yet the reality was that these new governments often preserved elite power.
For example, in Massachusetts, despite the revolutionary activities and democratic aspirations, the constitution that was ultimately adopted was markedly conservative. The elites dominated the process, ensuring that the distribution of power was not as dispersed among the population as some had hoped. This pattern was reflected in other newly-formed states as well, where those that had been in power before independence managed to maintain their status even after the war.
While British efforts to enforce control over the colonies incited resistance among varying groups with different motives, it was the colonial elites who sought similar rights to their British counterparts and who had the most at their disposal in terms of resources and influence to shape the outcomes of independence. Ultimately, though the causes of the war were varied—including economic and territorial disputes—it was these elites who maneuvered to hold their power amidst the shifting political landscape.