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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
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