The Colonists' American Revolution Preserving English Liberty, 1607-1783

A Dissenting Companion to the U.S. History Textbook 

Most U.S. History textbooks track the origins and evolution of American identity. They therefore present the American Revolution as the product of a gradual cultural change in English colonists. Over time, this process of Americanization differentiated and alienated the settlers from their compatriots and their government in Britain. This widely-taught narrative encourages students to view American independence as a reflection of emerging American nationhood. The Colonists' American Revolution introduces readers to a competing narrative which presents the Revolution as a product of the colonists? English identity and of English politics. This volume helps students recognize that the traditional narrative of the Revolution is an argument, not a just-the-facts account of this period in U.S. history. 

Written to make history interesting and relevant to students, this textbook provides a dissenting interpretation of America?s founding?the Revolution was not the result of an incremental process of Americanization, but rather an immediate reaction to sudden policy changes in London. It exposes students to dueling historical narratives of the American Revolution, encouraging them to debate and evaluate both narratives on the strength of evidence. This stimulating volume:

• Offers an account of the Revolution?s chronology, causes, ends, and accomplishments not commonly addressed in traditional textbooks
• Challenges the conventional narrative of Americanization with one of Anglicization
• Presents the Atlantic as a bridge, rather than a barrier, between England and its colonies
• Discusses the American Revolution as one in a series of British rebellions
• Uses a dual-perspective approach to spark discussions on what it means to study history

Exposing students to two different ways of studying history, The Colonists' American Revolution: Preserving English Liberty, 1607-1783 is a thought-provoking resource for undergraduate and graduate students of early-American history, as well as historians and interested general readers.

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xiii

About the Companion Website xv

Introduction: A Status Quo Revolution 1

1 English Origins 13

2 American Colonization 25

3 African Slavery, White Supremacy, and Republicanism 39

4 The Glorious Revolutions in England and America, 1688-1689 53

5 The Imperial Wars 69

6 From Deference to Suspicion 79

7 The Road to Revolution 97

8 The War 127

Conclusion: Articles of Confederation 143

Epilogue: The Natural Progress of Things 149

Questions for Further Discussion 157

Bibliography 159

Index 187

Guy Chet is a Professor of History at University of North Texas. He received his PhD in American History from Yale University in 2001. His areas of expertise are colonial and Revolutionary America, Atlantic piracy, and military history. He has authored two research monographs and a co-edited volume, as well as articles and essays published in academic journals and edited volumes.