Chapter 4: Tyranny is Tyranny - A People's History of the United States
Key Concepts
Formation of the United States: The creation of a nation by the colonial elite to take over land, profits, and political power from the British Empire.
Control and Rebellion: The American Revolution as a means to control potential rebellions and create a new privileged leadership.
Pre-Revolutionary Conflicts
Bacon’s Rebellion: One of the 18 uprisings aimed at overthrowing colonial governments by 1760.
Black Rebellions: Six notable uprisings from South Carolina to New York.
Local Elites: Emergence of political and social elites by the 1760s, directing rebellious energy against England.
Economic and Social Tensions
Post-Seven Years War: British need for revenue and control over colonial trade.
Economic Disparities: Concentration of wealth among top taxpayers in cities like Boston and Philadelphia.
Class Anger and Mob Actions:
Boston mobs, led by figures like Samuel Adams, rioted against the Stamp Act and other taxes.
Mechanics and lower classes demanded more democratic participation.
Revolutionary Leaders and Class Dynamics
Leaders’ Anxiety: Revolutionary leaders like Otis and Adams wary of lower-class anger and its potential to turn against them.
Boston Caucus: Efforts to mold laboring class opinion and direct it against British rule.
Rhetoric and Mobilization: Use of populist rhetoric to rally lower classes without threatening upper-class interests.
Class Struggles in Countryside
Regulator Movement: Class-conscious farmers in North Carolina against corrupt officials and tax systems.
Tenant Uprisings: Long-lasting social movements against wealthy landlords in New York and Vermont.
The Declaration of Independence
Philosophical Roots: Based on John Locke's ideas of government by the people, but ignoring property inequalities.
Exclusions: Omission of rights for Indians, black slaves, and women.
Inspirational Language: Used to create consensus and cover up conflicts of interest.
Critiques and Reflections
Howard Zinn’s Thesis: Argues that the American Revolution was primarily in service of the wealthy, safeguarding their property.
Revolutionary Rhetoric: Seen as empty by Zinn due to its lack of inclusion of all people.
Modern Parallels: Continued division of wealth and power akin to original inequities established by the revolution.
Final Thoughts
Continued Inequality: Institutions still uphold wealth inequality.
Political Participation: Difficulty for non-wealthy individuals to hold government positions.
Empty Rhetoric: Modern political rhetoric often mirrors the superficial promises of equality from America's founding.
Conclusion
Call to Action: Encouragement for change and the pursuit of equitable distribution of resources and power.