THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Its Ideological Origins

Typical Interpretation:British revenue acts and American resistance

Sugar Act, 1764 Stamp Act, 1765 Stamp Act Congress and Boycotts Townshend Duties, 1767, and Boycotts Boston Massacre, 1770 Tea Act, 1773 Boston Tea Party, 1774 Coercive Acts, 1774 1st Continental Congress, 1774 Battle at Lexington and Concord, April 1775

Why these acts so incendiary?

Old Interpretation: a conflict between virtuous American people and:

Inept British Empire

Tyrannical British Empire

WHY THESE ACTS SO INCENDIARY?

New Interpretation: Ideology

New appreciation for ideological causes of historical events

More benign meaning to “ideology” – a mentality

Contemporary history –Cold War ideological conflicts

Social science influence: anthropology and cultural meaning

British-American ideology

British constitution sacred – key to liberty

Constitution not codified; accumulated precedent

British Constitution: mixed Government

Montesquieu, 1748 Rule Of: Degenerates into:

ONE Monarchy Tyranny

FEW Aristocracy Oligarchy

MANY Democracy

Mob rule

British Constitution: mixed Government

Montequieu, 1748 –

Unprecedented stability and harmony

Rule Of: Represented in:

ONE Monarchy Crown

FEW Aristocracy House of Lords

MANY Democracy

House of Commons

REAL reasons for British stability and harmony

1. Controversial issues all settledKing governs according to Parliamentary statutes

Will not levy taxes or wage war without consent

No standing army in peacetime

REAL reasons for British stability and harmony

2. Day to day harmony ensured:

Crown exercise of “influence” over elections

Crown distribution of patronage

Criticism of British system of influence and patronage:

Radical Whigs/CommonwealthmenJohn Trenchard and Thomas Gordon, 1720-

23

Criticism of British system of influence and patronage: RADICAL WHIG IDEOLOGY

BIG IDEAS: Power Threatens Liberty

Liberty: Ability to exercise natural rights in limits set by law

Power: Compulsion

“absolute power corrupts, absolutely”

The People MUST be Vigilant Against Corruption and Tyranny

Radical Whig Thought Appeals to: AMERICAN COLONIES

American Constitution Mimics British

Rule Of: British Example

American Echo

One Crown Governor

Few House of Lords

Governor’s Council

Many House of Commons

Colonial Assembly

American Inconsistencies:Power of Executive

1. On surface, more power: Veto Power

Can convene and dissolve Assembly at will

Judiciary powers

American Inconsistencies:Power of the Executive

But in practice, less control . . .

Responsible to external executive: Board of Trade

Little “influence” over electionsReduced ability to distribute patronage

Assemblies appoint sheriffs, approve judges, appoint colonial treasurer

American Inconsistences: Assemblies not Manageable

Representation more egalitarian50-75% of white men meet property

qualifications to vote

Leadership less settledInstructions given to representatives

Idea of direct representation evolves

Through American eyes . . .

Governors too powerful

British system corrupt

Radical whig warnings make sense . . .