HISTORIOGRAPHY of the American Revolution

1. HISTORIOGRAPHY of the American Revolution

2. So what? • History is “a set of lies agreed upon by historians.” -Bonaparte • We’re all historiographers—struggle for control of official memory. • Are the colonists “rebels”, “patriots”, “freedom fighters,” or “self-interested elites?”

3. Basic Interpretations of the American Revolution • Questions to ask: • Was it radical or conservative? • Was it economic? • Class struggle or fight for basic rights?

4. Patrician Historians(Whig View- 19th Century) • American Revolution was “a movement for liberty in opposition to British tyranny.” • Rooted for the Patriots throughout history • George Bancroft—History of the United States (1834-1874—10 vols.)

5. Whig Historians • Often inaccurate history--> concern is placed on creativity as opposed to history • 2nd half of 19th century- Bancroft • Revolution was progress of liberty over tyranny • Revolution was achieved with minimal bloodshed • Thomas Paine...a little too radical 5

6. Progressive Historians(early 1900s) • View: Not all about benevolence, consensus, and progress • Revolution was economic and factors of self-interest INSTEAD of patriotism and conscience • Society was undemocratic and divided by class conflict NOT consensus 6

7. Progressive School • Self-interests compelled Revolution: “Conflicts between merchants and farmers, easterners and westerners, city-dwellers and country folk, aristocrats and democrats, creditors and debtors” . . . “not so much home rule as who should rule at home.” • Charles A. Beard—An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution (1913) • Arthur Meier Schlesinger—The Colonial Merchants and the American Revolution, 1763-1776 (1918)

8. Imperial School(early 1900s) • View: Navigation & mercantilist laws were not oppressive--> colonies flourished under this system • Charles McLean Andrews—The Colonial Background of the American Revolution (1924) • Source of Revolution was British political instability

9. Conservatives(mid-1900s) • View: Revolution was necessary to PROTECT not create something completely new • If it is about protection, what does that mean? • Not class conflict --> any riots occurred on the fringes of society 9

10. Conservatives • Most saw freedom infringed upon and wanted to separate • Not radical just REFORMED Daniel Boorstin

11. Neo-Whig School(late 1900s- present) • View: Social and political upheaval generated by ideas • ideas are just as important as actions- pamphlets, broadsides • Social structure change-->talent and ability established social structure

12. Neo-Whigs • Revolution is radical --> step in progress of human civilization • How are they continuing the ideas of the whigs of the 19th century? • Bernard Bailyn—The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution (1967) • Gordon S. Wood—The Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1787 (1969)

13. The New Left (late 1900s- present) • Despite a republican consensus, struggles between popular and elite forces drove the events of the era. • View: role of ordinary people in revolution • class conflict and a politically disorderly society made up revolutionary era • Who might these ordinary people be? • Enter Thomas Paine--> radical?

14. Radical Left • Howard Zinn • View: revolution was not the work of elites • rhetoric was a “recruiting slogan” • Constitution protected status quo not the empowering of Americans