HSTY2666 Lecture 1: HSTY2666 Lecture 1 – Introduction to the American Revolutionary War
3 May 2018
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HSTY2666 Lecture 1 – Introduction to the American Revolutionary War
Overview of significance of the Revolutionary War
• The war is seen as a unifying factor. It helped create a national identity for America,
in addition to making America an independent state.
o Both Obama and Trump have referred to it in political speeches, as have
many other US Presidents.
• Revolutionary art creates a notion of glory, unity, and nobility.
o George Washington is elevated into a status similar to that of a biblical figure.
▪ Washington crossing the Delaware.
• Important to note: recounts from the time of the war tell a different story.
o A gruesome eight years (1763-1789).
o Many were malnourished. Some were forced from homes and became
refugees.
o Not everyone agreed about leaving Britain.
o Perspectives of slaves: the war was an opportunity to be free from bondage.
However, the outcome of the war actually ending up entrenching slavery
further.
Key themes and questions
• Relationship between liberty and equality.
o Equality of what? Between white people? Between the elites and the
working class? Equality of rights?
o Definitions widely differ and this causes a lot of tensions between many
different groups within America.
• Nature of power and the role of the government.
o Early government and early Americans were scared of active governments
(scared that they were going to take their land, taxes, diminish rights etc.).
o What role did different people say the government ought to play in society?
▪ Federalists vs. Anti-federalists.
o Why did opinions differ?
o Was this the key issue in this period?
o How was this question decided and what were the consequences of that
settlement?
• Nature of revolutionary changes and the roles of ordinary people in the conflict.
o Was the American revolution a conservative event led by traditional elites?
o Was there a struggle over who would rule at home (just as much as there had
been a struggle over the matter of home rule i.e. not ruled by Britain)?
▪ Failure of the Articles of Confederation and debates over constitution.
▪ They did’t iediate hae a Presidet right after the ar.
o In what ways did ordinary people contribute to the revolutionary outcome?
o What did the American revolution mean to the different groups that were
involved?
▪ Elites, farmers, merchants, slaves etc.
• Tension between diversity and unity during the revolution?
o To what extent did North Americans and others experience a common
historical experience in the age of revolutions?
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