I'm so glad I stumbled upon this post! I am reading now about the pre-revolutionary period. Something I had not realized is that the colonists regarded themselves as British subjects loyal to their king, up until the very last. Not until right before the war for independence began did the revolutionaries, along with the American patriots, decide to completely break with Great Britain. It's a simple thing but understanding that brought new context to the story.
Thanks for reading! I think we, as Americans who learn about the Revolution in school fail to take just that into consideration. They were separating from their country. An enormous thing.
I'm not sure I was taught about the Revolution at all at school. My 18th century history was mainly the Agricultural Revolution (seed drills! crop rotation!), the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution. My second-year university course was very whistlestop and I ended up focusing on bits that interested me and were especially well taught, like the rise of Prussia (the sadly departed Hamish Scott). But then, I was an early modernist by instinct. I imagine I would have been four-square behind my lawful sovereign HM The King.
It is a debate I have had with myself many times! My ancestors fought…. But here I am with an overwhelming love of all things British. Although, I do find a few periods of American history also incredibly fascinating.
I think I would've been on the American side. In a simple way, I understand why they were so angry. For the most part, the governed themselves and did their own thing... then all the sudden the Crown starts milking them for all they're worth and won't listen to a word they say. And the Founding Fathers and people like them had recent ideas about freedom and philosophy that pushed them towards wanting to have their own country.
I very much agree. Not to mention the vast amount of resources America provided for England that they were not able to keep for themselves. And then, not being allowed equal representation. Just as any political movement, I am sure it was a very very slow build up to the boiling point.
McKenzie- This is a really great question. Never thought about it in that way. But since you asked, I think practically I’m not sure I’ll be selfless enough to join in. Revolution requires such a great degree of sacrifice. I’d know since my grandfather was one of a dozen men (along with who’d become the first President of Indonesia) to revolt against colonial Dutch. All I can say is that it’s not just personal sacrifice we’re talking about. It’s sacrificing the life of those we love. Great essay!
"Even more shocking, our most famous Founding Fathers were also incredibly young. Thomas Jefferson was 33, James Madison was 25, Alexander Hamilton was 21, Aaron Burr was 20 and James Monroe only 18" absolutely shocked when I read this! This is exactly what I hoped to find on Substack, interesting, not overly complicated and fresh perspectives
As an American who lives and breaths even the most "boring" parts of 11-16th century England I am intrigued by these facts and I absolutely cannot make up my mind whether I'd have been pro revolution or loyal to my king. Either way I'm here for the debate🙋🏻♀️
If you asked me now, however, to choose between US vs UK, I'd be like byeeeee 🫡
My ancestors were all Germans, and they definitely backed the Revolutionary War, but it was likely as much to stop all the Indian incursions and other side effects of the Fremch and Indian Wars as it was any particular antipathy towards the British ... after all, William Penn had invited them over in the first place.
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this post! I am reading now about the pre-revolutionary period. Something I had not realized is that the colonists regarded themselves as British subjects loyal to their king, up until the very last. Not until right before the war for independence began did the revolutionaries, along with the American patriots, decide to completely break with Great Britain. It's a simple thing but understanding that brought new context to the story.
Thanks for reading! I think we, as Americans who learn about the Revolution in school fail to take just that into consideration. They were separating from their country. An enormous thing.
So true.
I'm not sure I was taught about the Revolution at all at school. My 18th century history was mainly the Agricultural Revolution (seed drills! crop rotation!), the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution. My second-year university course was very whistlestop and I ended up focusing on bits that interested me and were especially well taught, like the rise of Prussia (the sadly departed Hamish Scott). But then, I was an early modernist by instinct. I imagine I would have been four-square behind my lawful sovereign HM The King.
It is a debate I have had with myself many times! My ancestors fought…. But here I am with an overwhelming love of all things British. Although, I do find a few periods of American history also incredibly fascinating.
I think I would've been on the American side. In a simple way, I understand why they were so angry. For the most part, the governed themselves and did their own thing... then all the sudden the Crown starts milking them for all they're worth and won't listen to a word they say. And the Founding Fathers and people like them had recent ideas about freedom and philosophy that pushed them towards wanting to have their own country.
I very much agree. Not to mention the vast amount of resources America provided for England that they were not able to keep for themselves. And then, not being allowed equal representation. Just as any political movement, I am sure it was a very very slow build up to the boiling point.
Honestly, in high school, I had some romanticized notions about the British and was 100% team King George.
Then I grew up, got a job, and started paying 20% in income tax. Suddenly the Revolution made sense.
This is amazing. Love it!
McKenzie- This is a really great question. Never thought about it in that way. But since you asked, I think practically I’m not sure I’ll be selfless enough to join in. Revolution requires such a great degree of sacrifice. I’d know since my grandfather was one of a dozen men (along with who’d become the first President of Indonesia) to revolt against colonial Dutch. All I can say is that it’s not just personal sacrifice we’re talking about. It’s sacrificing the life of those we love. Great essay!
"Even more shocking, our most famous Founding Fathers were also incredibly young. Thomas Jefferson was 33, James Madison was 25, Alexander Hamilton was 21, Aaron Burr was 20 and James Monroe only 18" absolutely shocked when I read this! This is exactly what I hoped to find on Substack, interesting, not overly complicated and fresh perspectives
As an American who lives and breaths even the most "boring" parts of 11-16th century England I am intrigued by these facts and I absolutely cannot make up my mind whether I'd have been pro revolution or loyal to my king. Either way I'm here for the debate🙋🏻♀️
If you asked me now, however, to choose between US vs UK, I'd be like byeeeee 🫡
I recently wrote a piece on this very subject https://open.substack.com/pub/gunnarmiller/p/you-say-you-want-a-revolution.
My ancestors were all Germans, and they definitely backed the Revolutionary War, but it was likely as much to stop all the Indian incursions and other side effects of the Fremch and Indian Wars as it was any particular antipathy towards the British ... after all, William Penn had invited them over in the first place.