The founders called it the War for Independence.

I’m not surprised, it wouldn’t have made sense to call it a revolution. I do wonder when the less accurate phrase was first applied and who was responsible.

Merriam-Webster defines revolution as (and I would agree this is how I see it used):

> a fundamental change in political organization.

> especially : the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed

I have no idea if that definition was in use in the 18th century, but in the 21st I think it's accurate enough terminology.

I don't think the incumbent government ever calls an insurrection a revolution, does it? That's the word the victors use for it after they gain power.

there was a revolution to "overthrow" the monarchy - just a local overthrow instead of a empire wide revolution

There is a big difference between throw off and overthrow.

Colonial independence wars often have multiple factions where some are advocating a nationalist approach that mostly preserves the existing institutions, and others want to radically redesign government at the same time.

If the latter groups get the upper hand, it’s called a revolution. And the Americans certainly fit the bill because they set out to write a federal constitution and bill of rights that bore no resemblance to the English system.

> bore no resemblance to the English system.

Except the Bill of Rights being based on it’s English equivalent and multiple other documents and customs in the English constitution.