The American revolutionaries were indeed conservatives in the sense that they just wanted what they felt were their rights as English citizens.
Across the Atlantic, Edmund Burke was the founder of modern conservatism. He did not want the colonies to secede and was deeply pained by it, but supported them because he felt their rights were violated. He was an unqualified opponent of the French Revolution, however, and extensively fought with Paine on this.
Edmund Burke did, in a sense, a classical liberal, he passionately defended English rights, but never really universalized them or subscribed to Enlightenment ideology. He's sometime called "The most important philosopher who wasn't a philosopher"
Most of the American revolutionaries were, deep, strong believers in universal enlightenment ideology.
Two of the most important, Jefferson and Franklin, were also "Makers", polymaths who made contributions to many fields. Especially Franklin who both made real, major scientific advances AND in the literary sphere, founded BOTH the American satirical and ethical traditions.
Again, both were unapologetic followers of the enlightenment: believed in universal natural rights, were Deists, etc.
Across the Atlantic, Edmund Burke was the founder of modern conservatism. He did not want the colonies to secede and was deeply pained by it, but supported them because he felt their rights were violated. He was an unqualified opponent of the French Revolution, however, and extensively fought with Paine on this.
Edmund Burke did, in a sense, a classical liberal, he passionately defended English rights, but never really universalized them or subscribed to Enlightenment ideology. He's sometime called "The most important philosopher who wasn't a philosopher"
Most of the American revolutionaries were, deep, strong believers in universal enlightenment ideology.
Two of the most important, Jefferson and Franklin, were also "Makers", polymaths who made contributions to many fields. Especially Franklin who both made real, major scientific advances AND in the literary sphere, founded BOTH the American satirical and ethical traditions.
Again, both were unapologetic followers of the enlightenment: believed in universal natural rights, were Deists, etc.