taking-sides-amer-revolution

Historical Interpretations of the American Revolution

The British Empire Perspective

  • Historians sympathetic to Britain viewed the Revolution as driven by external political tensions.

  • Whig and imperialist historians believed the conflict stemmed primarily from differences between colonists and British authorities.

Carl Becker's Internal Revolution Thesis (1909)

  • Becker introduced the interpretation that the American Revolution contained internal conflicts.

  • Argued that it was a struggle for home rule and who would govern.

Progressive Historians (1910-1945)

  • Focused on social and economic conflicts between groups for political power.

  • Sought to explain revolution through social struggles.

Post-World War II Reactions

  • Historians, including Robert E. Brown, dismissed oversimplified conflict interpretations.

  • Brown posited that America operated as a middle-class democracy prior to the Revolution, reducing the need for social upheaval.

Neoconservative Interpretations

  • Bernard Bailyn, in "The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution", shifted focus to colonists implementing British radical thought.

  • Jon Butler's "Becoming America" asserted that colonial society underwent drastic change before the Revolution.

Two Perspectives: Conservative vs Radical

  • Degler's View (Conservative Movement):

    • Argues that the Revolution preserved existing social structures.

    • Emphasized the role of well-to-do, upwardly mobile colonial leaders.

    • Referred to the Revolution as conservative, aimed at maintaining order rather than bringing about societal change.

  • Wood's Radical Perspective:

    • Contended that the Revolution fundamentally altered American society, changing relationships and social structures.

    • Claimed radical social change included the dismantling of monarchy and social hierarchies, establishing a foundation for democracy.

Impact of the American Revolution

Social Changes

  • Disestablishment of the Anglican Church; churches lost state support.

  • Introduction of a secular state, with ongoing reflections of popular religious sentiment.

Political Developments

  • The Constitution forbade religious tests for office-holding, marking a significant shift in the relationship between church and state.

  • Ongoing tensions around the interpretation of the separation of church and state.

Economic Changes

  • The Revolution paved the way for economic expansion: deliberate attempts to increase self-governance and free market opportunities for citizens.

  • Economic opportunities for merchants and entrepreneurs increased in a post-war context.

Class Structure and Land Distribution

  • No significant social class dissolution or takeover occurred; upper-middle class maintained power post-Revolution.

  • Redistribution of lands primarily favored those already in power, rather than leading to a mass uprising of the lower classes.

Conclusion: Diverging Interpretations

  • Degler: The Revolution was conservative, reinforcing elite control and preserving the class structure.

  • Wood: The Revolution was radical for its social implications and its role in promoting notions of liberty and equality among ordinary Americans.

  • Both historians recognize lingering inequalities, particularly regarding race and gender, suggesting the Revolution was a complex and layered event influencing long-term American history.