Notes on Tyranny is Tyranny

TYRANNY IS TYRANNY

Historical Context

  • Date: Around 1776, significant discoveries emerged in the English colonies.

  • Discovery: Creation of a nation, legal unity termed the United States.

    • Purpose: To seize land, profits, and political power from British Empire allies.

    • Result: Suppression of potential rebellions and establishment of a new leadership within the colonies.

    • Assessment: Viewed as genius by history; credited to Founding Fathers.

The American Revolution

  • Genius of the Revolution: Combining paternalism with command showed future leaders a model for control.

  • Historical Rebellions:

    • Began with Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia.

    • By 1760, eighteen uprisings against colonial governments documented.

    • Six black rebellions in various states, plus forty riots of diverse origins.

  • Political Elites: Stabilized local governance with coherent elites as described by Jack Greene.

    • Post-1763 Dynamics: Victory over France in the Seven Years' War shifted focus to managing relations with England and Native Americans.

Economic Context

  • Colonial Trade Growth: Economic importance of trade increased significantly:

    • 1700: Worth about £500,000.

    • 1770: Increased to £2,800,000.

  • Colonial Leadership Vs. British Authority: Colonial leaders became less reliant on England as England became increasingly dependent on colonial wealth.

  • Consequences of War: Different social impacts observed:

    • Generals: Gained glory.

    • Privates and Poverty: Endured death and poverty, leading to social unrest.

Social Inequity

  • Urban Developments:

    • New York's population increased from 7,000 in 1720 to 25,000 post-war.

    • Rising number of beggars highlighted deteriorating living standards among the poor.

  • Taxation and Wealth Distribution Challenges:

    • Tax records indicated 5% controlled 49% of taxable assets in Boston.

    • In contrast to wealth, letters in newspapers voiced grievances about food scarcity.

Political Responses In Boston

  • Emergence of Class Conflict:

    • Town meetings became outlets for grievances.

    • Political Mobilization: Lawyers, editors, and merchants like James Otis partnered with the laboring class to drive political discourse.

    • Otis articulated class struggles in his speeches against Governor Hutchinson.

  • Class Anger:

    • Outbursts of anger after the Stamp Act of 1765.

    • Example: Destruction of Andrew Oliver's house by a mob led by Ebenezer MacIntosh.

Revolution and Its Implications

  • Mob Actions: Reflected class tensions:

    • The target of these mob actions were the elite, venting frustrations towards poverty and inequity.

    • Described by officials as a “War of Plunder” directed against the wealthy.

  • Reaction of Revolutionary Leaders: Tactically attempted to channel lower-class anger against British authority while mitigating risks against their own social standings.

Class Demands and Participation

  • Demands for Political Democracy: Mechanics pushed for:

    • Open meetings of assemblies, public galleries, and voting transparency.

    • Reforms addressing taxes and equitable representation.

  • Rise of Collective Consciousness: In 1776, the influence of lower-middle-class individuals reached notable levels in Philadelphia, compelling revolutionary leaders to reassess their approaches.

Regulator Movement in North Carolina

  • Class-Conscious Farmers: The Regulators emerged between 1766-1771, opposing corruption among officials and demanding local government reforms.

    • Identified themselves as oppressed peasants pushed into activism against powers exploiting their labor.

  • Uprisings and Resistance: Notable events included:

    • Disruptions of tax collection and court proceedings.

    • Military responses ultimately led to suppression of the Regulators in 1771.

Revolutionary Ideals and Philosophies

  • Pamphleteering as a Medium:

    • Tom Paine's “Common Sense” promoted the idea of independence in a fashion accessible to the general populace.

    • Critique of monarchy and governance positions within societal classes.

  • Declaration of Independence:

    • Core Message: Asserted equality and rights of all men but historically limited to white males.

    • Inspired sentiments against political tyranny while simultaneously excluding marginalized groups (women, slaves, Native Americans).

Philosophical Foundations

  • Influence of John Locke:

    • His theories on government and individual rights helped shape the Declaration's ideals but neglected existing inequalities and property disparities.

  • Reality of Societal Conflicts:

    • The struggle for independence was intertwined with the need to establish a stable class structure that favored existing interests while leveraging popular support.

Social Order Post-Revolution

  • Post-Revolutionary Dynamics:

    • Reading of the Declaration mobilized public support but revealed class disparities during military drafts.

    • Common grievance of “Tyranny is Tyranny” arose reflecting ongoing class tensions despite the revolutionary rhetoric.

Conclusion

  • Lasting Implications: The Revolution, while heralded as a triumph for freedom and equality, established a political foundation that maintained existing social hierarchies and neglected the rights of various groups.