Was American Revolution Radical??
Mr. Zucker argues…
Well, JZ, its go time once again. Lets see if you can keep up with me this time. I doubt it considering that your last blog entry was, lets say, a little, in a technical word, WRONG!!!
The American Revolution was a Radical Revolution. Most people don’t realize it but the American revolution actually changed major social and political norms in society. Most Historians, up to the present, have considered the American Revolution as significantly different than the one in France. The French Revolution has been considered to be radical because it stressed total equality on economic, political and social grounds. Typically, most American historians have argued that the American Revolution was a conservative revolution because it simply changed the political institutions in the country. Furthermore, the revolutionaries didn’t get rid of the basic hierarchy of relationships between the educated elite and the common person.
However, this viewpoint has missed the multiple changes that took place in ideals and social relationships. The Revolutionaries attacked the notion of hierarchy by criticizing the King of Britain and belief that the individual should be second to the good of the empire. Instead, the new belief centered around individual natural rights, following John Locke’s social contract philosophy. This forced the government to be accountable to the people instead of the opposite way around.
This new philosophy of natural rights proved to be a force that attacked the basic social, political and economic relationships of the local colonies. Colonists no longer showed absolute respect and subordination to the local governors and mayors. Before the revolution, common people were expected to leave room on the roads as governors and mayors passed in a sign of subservience. However, after the revolution, commoners walked side by side with leaders. This may seem small and symbolic. But the action showed that people in the colonies no longer accepted deference to leaders. This was then shown in the colonists’ demands for greater forms of representation and the creation of a republic.
Women challenged their traditional status in the colonies. Western tradition had argued that women ought to be in the home and subservient to their husbands. However, during the revolution, women argued for their own independence and their rights to political participation. Women, like Molly Pitcher, openly participated on the battlefield. Abigail Adams, wife of future president John Adams, wrote him a letter demanding that women be included in the creation of the Constitution. Premarital pregnancy rates increased showing a rebellion of young women and men against traditional norms of marriage, sex, and general relationships with the older generation.
Even slaves challenged the norms of the colonies. Black slaves used the fight between Britain and America to choose sides. Their choice was of course based upon who offered the greater freedom. This eventually spilt over after the war. Numerous northern colonies officially condemned slavery outright. Many people believed that slavery was on its way out altogether.
In the end, the American Revolution did resort to conservative counter revolutionary moves after the failure of the Articles of Confederation. However, the spirit and ideology of the Revolution itself was a radical move.
JZ replies…
Wow. That was an incredible argument Mr. Zucker. I guess I have no response…except for…oh yeah…you just forgot a few small exceptions like…
The American revolutionaries were largely led by the wealthy elite of the colonies. These elite were well educated merchants, lawyers, bankers and land owners. They feared the democratic mob. They were actually Loyalists to the British empire up until the few years before the revolution. Even Samuel Adams was a lawyer in favor of the British accused of the Boston Massacre. He did this for fear that the soldiers would not receive a fair trial from the American mob. Plus, remember that many individuals like Sam Adams were actually very conservative in their religious and social mindset.
The other problem with your argument is the beginning and ending point that you are putting on the issue. If you look at the issue simply from the time of the Revolution, you might be correct. But, look at what eventually happened. When the Articles of Confederation began to show weaknesses, the leaders of the revolution formed a national constitution that placed power in a strong federal government. This government could tax, build a strong national military, and create laws that were imposed upon the nation as a whole. This re-established hierarchy in America and created a group of natural aristocrats, or people who had risen to the top of leadership through their own natural talents.
It is true that people in America challenged certain social norms. However, does this really show radical change? Slavery still existed throughout the southern states in America. Racism began to grow with most white southerners seeing themselves above blacks whether or not they owned slaves. Yes, Abigail Adams threatened her husband that women would rebel if they weren’t included in the Bill of Rights. They weren’t. Her husband replied to Abigail that women did have power-in the HOME. So, how did things really radically change for women following the revolution? True, people shared the streets with governors and mayors. WOW. What a change. How is this not simply a small symbolic move that didn’t have much effect elsewhere?
In the end, the American Revolution had some changes in thought patterns and practices. But, nothing changed to the extent of the radicalism in France.
Try again next time, Zucks.
Well, JZ, its go time once again. Lets see if you can keep up with me this time. I doubt it considering that your last blog entry was, lets say, a little, in a technical word, WRONG!!!
The American Revolution was a Radical Revolution. Most people don’t realize it but the American revolution actually changed major social and political norms in society. Most Historians, up to the present, have considered the American Revolution as significantly different than the one in France. The French Revolution has been considered to be radical because it stressed total equality on economic, political and social grounds. Typically, most American historians have argued that the American Revolution was a conservative revolution because it simply changed the political institutions in the country. Furthermore, the revolutionaries didn’t get rid of the basic hierarchy of relationships between the educated elite and the common person.
However, this viewpoint has missed the multiple changes that took place in ideals and social relationships. The Revolutionaries attacked the notion of hierarchy by criticizing the King of Britain and belief that the individual should be second to the good of the empire. Instead, the new belief centered around individual natural rights, following John Locke’s social contract philosophy. This forced the government to be accountable to the people instead of the opposite way around.
This new philosophy of natural rights proved to be a force that attacked the basic social, political and economic relationships of the local colonies. Colonists no longer showed absolute respect and subordination to the local governors and mayors. Before the revolution, common people were expected to leave room on the roads as governors and mayors passed in a sign of subservience. However, after the revolution, commoners walked side by side with leaders. This may seem small and symbolic. But the action showed that people in the colonies no longer accepted deference to leaders. This was then shown in the colonists’ demands for greater forms of representation and the creation of a republic.
Women challenged their traditional status in the colonies. Western tradition had argued that women ought to be in the home and subservient to their husbands. However, during the revolution, women argued for their own independence and their rights to political participation. Women, like Molly Pitcher, openly participated on the battlefield. Abigail Adams, wife of future president John Adams, wrote him a letter demanding that women be included in the creation of the Constitution. Premarital pregnancy rates increased showing a rebellion of young women and men against traditional norms of marriage, sex, and general relationships with the older generation.
Even slaves challenged the norms of the colonies. Black slaves used the fight between Britain and America to choose sides. Their choice was of course based upon who offered the greater freedom. This eventually spilt over after the war. Numerous northern colonies officially condemned slavery outright. Many people believed that slavery was on its way out altogether.
In the end, the American Revolution did resort to conservative counter revolutionary moves after the failure of the Articles of Confederation. However, the spirit and ideology of the Revolution itself was a radical move.
JZ replies…
Wow. That was an incredible argument Mr. Zucker. I guess I have no response…except for…oh yeah…you just forgot a few small exceptions like…
The American revolutionaries were largely led by the wealthy elite of the colonies. These elite were well educated merchants, lawyers, bankers and land owners. They feared the democratic mob. They were actually Loyalists to the British empire up until the few years before the revolution. Even Samuel Adams was a lawyer in favor of the British accused of the Boston Massacre. He did this for fear that the soldiers would not receive a fair trial from the American mob. Plus, remember that many individuals like Sam Adams were actually very conservative in their religious and social mindset.
The other problem with your argument is the beginning and ending point that you are putting on the issue. If you look at the issue simply from the time of the Revolution, you might be correct. But, look at what eventually happened. When the Articles of Confederation began to show weaknesses, the leaders of the revolution formed a national constitution that placed power in a strong federal government. This government could tax, build a strong national military, and create laws that were imposed upon the nation as a whole. This re-established hierarchy in America and created a group of natural aristocrats, or people who had risen to the top of leadership through their own natural talents.
It is true that people in America challenged certain social norms. However, does this really show radical change? Slavery still existed throughout the southern states in America. Racism began to grow with most white southerners seeing themselves above blacks whether or not they owned slaves. Yes, Abigail Adams threatened her husband that women would rebel if they weren’t included in the Bill of Rights. They weren’t. Her husband replied to Abigail that women did have power-in the HOME. So, how did things really radically change for women following the revolution? True, people shared the streets with governors and mayors. WOW. What a change. How is this not simply a small symbolic move that didn’t have much effect elsewhere?
In the end, the American Revolution had some changes in thought patterns and practices. But, nothing changed to the extent of the radicalism in France.
Try again next time, Zucks.
posted by JZFormidableOpponent at 11:38 AM
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