American Revolutions: A Continental History, 1750-1804

“To win their civil war, genteel Patriots had to build a cross-class coalition that appealed to thousands of common men and women—as Hawthorne noted. Without mass participation, Patriots could not sustain riots and boycotts against British taxes or the later war against British and Loyalist troops.”

This quote emphasizes the necessity of widespread popular support for the success of the American Revolution. It highlights the tactical shift genteel Patriots made from relying solely on their class’s support to engaging with a broader demographic. This strategic inclusivity fostered a sense of collective struggle against British rule, enabling the mobilization of various societal segments. The reference to Hawthorne underscores the revolution’s deep cultural impact, intertwining the narrative of political struggle with literary expressions of the era’s tumultuous spirit.

“In 1775, Benjamin Franklin recalled, ‘I never had heard in any Conversation from any Person drunk or sober, the least Expression of a Wish for a Separation, or Hint that such a Thing would be advantageous to America.’”

This reflection from Benjamin Franklin reveals the initial reluctance among colonists toward the idea of independence from Britain. It provides historical context to the complexity of American identity formation, suggesting that the desire for independence was not inherent or unanimous but developed in response to escalating tensions and injustices. The quote underscores the revolution’s contingent nature, challenging narratives that portray it as an inevitable culmination of colonial discontent.

“‘It is truly a miserable thing that we no sooner leave fighting our neighbors, the French, but we must fall to quarrelling among ourselves.’—Reverend Samuel Johnson of Connecticut, 1763.”

This quote, which opens the discussion on colonial attitudes and the aftermath of conflict with the French, encapsulates the perennial cycle of conflict and internal discord. It highlights a significant shift from external to internal conflicts, suggesting that peace with external enemies often leads to introspection and internal strife.