1. HISTORIOGRAPHY of the American Revolution

2. So what?
History is “a set of lies agreed upon by historians.” -Bonaparte
We’re all historiographers—struggle for control of official memory.
Are the colonists “rebels”, “patriots”, “freedom fighters,” or “self-interested elites?”

3. Basic Interpretations of the American Revolution
Questions to ask:
Was it radical or conservative?
Was it economic?
Class struggle or fight for basic rights?

4. Patrician Historians(Whig View- 19th Century)
American Revolution was “a movement for liberty in opposition to British tyranny.”
Rooted for the Patriots throughout history
George Bancroft— History of the United States ( —10 vols.)

5. Whig Historians
Often inaccurate history--> concern is placed on creativity as opposed to history
2nd half of 19th century- Bancroft
Revolution was progress of liberty over tyranny
Revolution was achieved with minimal bloodshed
Thomas Paine...a little too radical 5

6. Progressive Historians(early 1900s)
View: Not all about benevolence, consensus, and progress
Revolution was economic and factors of self- interest INSTEAD of patriotism and conscience
Society was undemocratic and divided by class conflict NOT consensus 6

7. Progressive School
Self-interests compelled Revolution: “Conflicts between merchants and farmers, easterners and westerners, city- dwellers and country folk, aristocrats and democrats, creditors and debtors” “not so much home rule as who should rule at home.”
Charles A. Beard—An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution (1913)
Arthur Meier Schlesinger—The Colonial Merchants and the American Revolution, (1918)

8. Imperial School(early 1900s)
View: Navigation & mercantilist laws were not oppressive--> colonies flourished under this system
Charles McLean Andrews—The Colonial Background of the American Revolution (1924)
Source of Revolution was British political instability

9. Conservatives(mid-1900s)
View: Revolution was necessary to PROTECT not create something completely new
If it is about protection, what does that mean?
Not class conflict --> any riots occurred on the fringes of society 9

10. Conservatives Most saw freedom infringed upon and wanted to separate
Not radical just REFORMED
Daniel Boorstin

11. Neo-Whig School(late 1900s- present)
View: Social and political upheaval generated by ideas
ideas are just as important as actions- pamphlets, broadsides
Social structure change-->talent and ability established social structure

12. Neo-Whigs
Revolution is radical --> step in progress of human civilization
How are they continuing the ideas of the whigs of the 19th century?
Bernard Bailyn—The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution (1967)
Gordon S. Wood—The Creation of the American Republic, (1969)

13. The New Left (late 1900s- present)
Despite a republican consensus, struggles between popular and elite forces drove the events of the era.
View: role of ordinary people in revolution
class conflict and a politically disorderly society made up revolutionary era
Who might these ordinary people be?
Enter Thomas Paine--> radical?

14. Radical Left Howard Zinn View: revolution was not the work of elites
rhetoric was a “recruiting slogan”
Constitution protected status quo not the empowering of Americans