On many levels, the revolution seemed to benefit only those who had already enjoyed significant status, such as the colonial elites. This main achievement was political and economic., The transference of sovereignty from a British king to Americans, the maturation of colonial assemblies into state legislatures the release of merchants from the chains of British trade laws and duties, and the opening of westward territories for exploration. This political impact is obvious because it is reflected in constitutions systems of government and public records – however the social impact is more difficult to define. On the surface, the revolution did little for ordinary people because it had never initially promised to: it had been sparked by opposition