Full Description
The American Revolution vividly illustrates through a collection of fascinating primary documents how, in the space of a few hundred years, contented colonists -- the majority of whom were transplanted English citizens -- would form an independent country that could challenge the greatest world power of the time -- and win. The American Revolution explores the colonies' break with Great Britain, the resulting war to gain independence, and the
struggle to create a successful government for the new United States. Steven C. Bullock turns to such documents as Common Sense, the Declaration of Independence, diaries, newspaper debates, slave petitions, and a
pictorial essay on Paul Revere, showing that the words and actions of common men as well as great men played important roles in making the Revolution not just a coup d'État, but a genuine change that shook the foundations of authority and dramatically changed American society.
Contents
What is a Document?
How to Read a Document
Introduction: Madness and Revolution
Chapter 1: The Family Quarrel: The Coming of the Revolution
Growing Children
Raising Money and Rising Anger
We Are Therefore - SLAVES
Violence in the Streets
Tea in the Harbor
Chapter 2: Breaking the Bonds: War and Independence
The Road from Lexington and Concord
Causes and Necessities
Free and Independent
Was Washington Good Enough?
Little Successes - and Big Ones
Chapter 3: Taking Sides: The Experience of War
Problems of Loyalty
Friends, Families, and Fighting
Divided Loyalties
he Fortures - and Misfortunes - of War
Women and the War
Chapter 4: Building Governments: Revolutions in Government
The Problems of Peace
Economic Successes and Failures
Constructing and Reconstructing Governments
Reconstituting the Federal Government
Chapter 5: The Limits of Liberty: Revolutions in Society and Culture
The Religious Revolution
Changing Ways of Worship
Liberty, But Not for All
Honorable Daughters of America
Chapter 6: Paul Revere: Craftsman of the Revolution
The Making of an Artisan
The Making of a Revolutionary
The Midnight Ride
The Post-Revolutionary Businessman
Chapter 7: The Living Revolution: The Revolution Remembered
Commemorations and Celebrations
American Anniversaries
The Political Uses of the Revolution
The American Revolution Beyond America
Timeline
Further Reading
Text Credits
Picture Credits
Index
