Lecture Notes: A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn - Chapter 5: A Kind of Revolution

Overview

• The American victory over the British was facilitated by an armed population.
• Revolutionary leadership distrusted the poor but needed the support of armed white men.
• General enthusiasm for the war was not strong among the population.

Military Service and Social Dynamics

• Many white males served in the military but only a small fraction stayed.
• John Shye's study indicated a portion of the population was actively treasonous.
• Slavery and control over slaves affected Southern states' military capabilities.
• Initial militia members were generally respected citizens; less respectable whites were recruited out of desperation.

Socioeconomic Disparities

• The military provided opportunities for poor men to advance socially.
• The war effort often utilized poor individuals for a cause not directly benefiting them.
• Social control during the revolution often involved coercion and forced participation.

Internal Class Conflicts

• The war suppressed but didn't eliminate internal conflicts between rich and poor.
• Inflation and profiteering during the war led to social unrest.
• The Continental Congress was dominated by the wealthy and connected.

Mutinies and Resentment

• Poor treatment and unpaid soldiers led to mutinies during the war.
• Discontent among troops highlighted the class struggles within the colonial population.

Revolution's Impact on Various Groups

• The Revolution did little to alter the status of lower social classes, including indentured servants and slaves.
• Slavery persisted, especially in the South, though the war created some opportunity for black resistance and demands for rights.
• Native Americans continued to lose land due to colonial expansion post-revolution.

Formation of the Constitution

• The Constitution was crafted by elites to preserve economic hierarchies.
• James Madison and Alexander Hamilton contributed to its writing, focusing on maintaining social order.
• The Constitution and its resulting government structure favored the wealthy and the propertied.

Ratification and the Federalist Papers

• The Federalist Papers argued for a strong government to maintain peace and control factional disputes.
• The Bill of Rights was introduced to appease concerns and ensure liberties but often fell short in practice.

The Myth of Egalitarian Governance

• The First Amendment and other rights were selectively enforced.
• The Sedition Act of 1798 contradicted free speech promises.

Conclusion

• The chapter critiques how the American Revolution and the Constitution were shaped to protect the interests of the wealthy.
• The founding fathers had direct interests in maintaining the status quo.
• Zinn highlights the enduring inequalities and the ways power was systematically organized to benefit a privileged minority.

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Note: The lecture ends with personal reflections on the chapter's content, highlighting the Constitution's role in reinforcing economic power structures.