The Revolutionary City Is Not Just An Area

Woody Holton. Forced Founders: Indians, Debtors, Slaves and the Making of the American Revolution in Virginia. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1999.

Many historical texts about the American Revolution and the events leading up to it are generalized, unspecific and do not investigate the preliminary causes of the changes America underwent before the Revolution. However, A New England Town by Professor Kenneth Lockridge attempts to describe how the colonies in America developed by following the progress of a typical Puritan colonial town, Dedham, Massachusetts, from its inception in 1636 through its first one hundred years. It is Lockridge’s belief that colonial history can be better learned through thoroughly examining one specific town instead of shallowly studying many.

Robert Gross’ The Minutemen and Their World examines a town 's role in the events of the colonial revolution. Specifically that of Concord, Massachusetts in the years before, during and after the Revolution. Gross provides details about the inner workings of town politics, religion, and society for the period. He notes how town’s people’s rivalries and religious fissures occupied the townspeople through the prerevolutionary period. Gross details how Concord was largely absent from the pre-Revolutionary activities of other communities, and then the unification process that occurred as conflict grew closer. By analyzing specific events in the town’s history Goss is able to draw conclusions about why certain events took place leading up to

Robert A. Gross the author of “The Minutemen and their World” gives a very detailed nonfictional narrative of the small town of Concord, Massauchessets. Gross describes the American Revelotion through the eyes of this community which paints a more vivid picture of the events taking place up to the war which seperated the Unite States for Great Britian through a perspective that I have never seen before.

The American Revolution was a great time of change for America as a nation. With this change new heroes and ideals of life, liberty, and freedom were formed. Spearheading these new ideals was General George Washington and his continental army, but the road ahead of Washington and his men was not an unproblematic one. The winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania proved this to Washington and his men. Yet the true American ideal of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were never forgotten in their battle.

1776, a non-fiction historical book, is written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David McCullough. The book revolves around the American Revolution, hence the title 1776, and it accurately shows the course of actions that have taken place in that year. 1776 is displays how America became an independent nation and what the individuals during that time had to go through to gain access to freedom and liberty. The Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, the nation’s most cherished symbol of independence, that same year on July 4. With education systems not going in depth of the year 1776, this paper is to show how this book has revealed so much of our country’s history in one year.

West of the Revolution: An Uncommon History of 1776 (2014) is Claudio Saunt’s third book. Saunt, who completed his undergraduate work at Columbia and received his PhD from Duke, has taught at the University of Georgia since 1998 and is currently the department head of American Studies and the Associate Director of the Institute of Native American Studies. His other major works are A New Order of Things: Property, Power, and the Transformation of the Creek Indians, 1733-1816 (1999) and Black, White, and Indian: Race and the Unmaking of the American Family (2005).

Life in colonial Williamsburg, Virginia exemplified what life was like in most of the colonies in America. Prior to the Revolution, the colonists were beginning to exert more independence from the Britain. Williamsburg was primed for revolution with its political views, its armory, its weaponry, and its interesting citizens.

The Non-Fiction Historical Book 1776 By David McCullough is a historically accurate and in depth view of The American Revolution; starting from The Battle of Bunker Hill, Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Fort Washington, and ending its Analysis at the Battle of Trenton in 1776. There are many fascinating features, trends, themes, and characteristics used in 1776 that make the book a fluent and enjoyable read. Also the book gives a very detailed and informative account of the battles and military life from the Battle of Boston to the Battle of Trenton. Finally the author, David McCullough, of the book as many other works and experiences that tell the reader why and how 1776 is such a credible source

Williamsburg Colonial was originally referred to as the Middle Plantation and the Revolutionary City, although in the beginning, it was just a royal colony that later transitioned into a republic state, with a new self-government. It became a republic after great efforts and debates from extraordinary men such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry, to name a few, that sought to improve the principles of liberty. The city of Williamsburg underwent several transitioning periods with the first being that it became the capital of the Virginia Colony in 1966. The colony remains important to American history because it is where the contemplation began for freedom and independence, and it is where the ideas of freedom and independence transpired and took shape. More importantly, it is fair to say that from 1699 to about 1780, Williamsburg was the most populous region of the British Colonies in America; it was also the most culturally influential, the center for educational progress, and political events. The events would later shape the government, and the future of the United States of America.

The American Revolutionary Era was one of the most important periods in American history. This period marked the first time were the newly found Americas would successfully colonized. This Era brought change that defied the current framework of society, promoted a sense of equality, and formed a new economic structure. However, the extent at which the Revolutionary Era can be called “truly revolutionary” is debatable. If we look at the effects the Revolutionary Era had on society, including African slaves, women, and the Indigenous Peoples, it could be characterized as (oxymoronically) un-revolutionary in the sense that pre-Revolutionary Era ideologies continued on into the Revolutionary Era.

“1776” is a story of war. This book chronicles the year 1776 and the different battles that took place during the year. Instead of exploring the political changes the year oversaw, Pulitzer Prize winner, David McCullough explores in a different perspective on the battles that occurred during the year. From battle strategies, to the lives of Major Generals, McCullough takes you through the story in a more realistic and factual perspective. “1776” offers an intimate look into the military aspects of the revolutionary war which creates a more lively and engaging literature. McCullough opens the book in London, where King George III appears on behalf of his people to announce war with the North American colonies. American patriots sought to overthrow British government that overexerted its power and pressed the American colonists, which manifested in the former taxes and troops. The American colonists began to protest and riot, which increased tension, eventually leading to the Battle of Lexington and Concord,

“’You’d be in a Blazing bad way, if recalling to life was to come into fashion, Jerry.’” (Pg. 21) From when Dr. Manette is released from imprisonment, to Carton’s last thoughts, resurrection is always present throughout the novel. A Tale of Two Cities describes the French Revolution, and how it impacted the lives of his main characters, including, Dr. Manette, Jerry Cruncher, and Sydney Carton. The theme of resurrection is a recurrent subject Dickens uses to show the transformation of his character’s lives, Jerry Cruncher and his ironic title, “Resurrection Man,” Dr. Manette’s, “recalled to life,” and Sydney Carton’s self sacrifice.

A Tale of Two Cities was a story about sacrifice and revenge before and during revolutionary France. Charles Dickens thought that if things did not change, then a violent revolution in England, similar to the French Revolution, was possible or in the future. In “A Tale of Two Cities”, Charles Dickens symbolizes the discord that the English and the French faced as he tears apart the two systems of their society.

- Annotation: For this week’s class, I draw heavily upon 1776 by David McCullough. This book offers a compelling narrative on the Declaration of Independence, the battle of New York, and the Battle of Trenton. It is McCullough’s description of these events which influence my understanding of the revolution and impact the way in which it is taught in