Jan. 7, 2009        to syllabus  to "Nature and Significance of Radicalism" reading
to Trenchard and Gordon reading to Declaration of Independence

History 350: American Radicalism

Link to study questions about American Revolution and Tom Paine

I. Was the United States founded in Revolution?
    A. A Social Revolution?

    B. A Revolution of Ideas and Feelings?

But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations...This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution.
                                                                                                                --John Adams, 1818

II. The Path to Revolutionary War and Independence
    A. Colonial context before 1763

    B. Imperial reform and colonial response 1763-1766

    C. Parliament reasserts control 1767-1772

    D. Conflict renewed 1773-1775

    E. War and independence 1775-1783        link to map of 13 colonies in 1775

III. Declaring Independence
    A. Listing Grievances

    B. Asserting Rights
Timeline of events leading to the Revolution "Declaring Independence" site from Library of Congress
  Website for PBS series "Liberty"

Protest against Stamp Act, 1765

The Boston Massacre, 1770--Engraving by Paul Revere

Boston Tea Party, 1773

Signing the Declaration of Independence, 1776