Final answer:
The transition from colony to country in America involved shifts from a monarchy to a self-governed republic, debates on democracy, and the establishment of the Constitution. The Revolutionary War period highlighted the need for a unified political structure and a functioning government system. The American political tradition was formed through these transformations and through tackling issues associated with national identity and governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Summary of Chapters from 'New American Nation'
The transition from colony to country in the American context involved pivotal changes in governance and ideological shifts. The work 'Common Sense' by Thomas Paine argued for a move from a monarchal system to a self-governed republic, influencing American revolutionary thought. During the Revolution and afterwards, the states underwent a process to determine the extent of revolutionary change and debated the nature of democracy. These discussions revealed the need for a unified political structure resulting in the drafting and eventual ratification of the U.S. Constitution at the Federal Constitutional Convention.
The Second Continental Congress played a critical role in moving towards independence, marked by steps such as declaring independence in 1776. The Declaration of Independence laid the ideological foundation for the new nation, encapsulating its core principles and grievances against the British Crown. These events set the stage for the subsequent debates and developments in creating a new political system including the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, and its ratification, highlighting the complexities of constitutional change.
The Revolutionary War period also underscored the importance of nationalism and the limitations of virtue or patriotism as the sole unifying forces for the new nation. The need for a political framework became evident as leaders sought to transform the ideas of the Declaration of Independence into a functioning governmental system that addressed political and economic challenges that arose under British rule.
Outlined in these chapters is the development of the American political tradition and how countries transition from colonies to independent nations, grappling with many issues along the way such as national identity, governance structures, and postcolonial challenges.