Critique of the American Revolution

Oct 10, 2024

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

Overview

  • Key Idea: The chapter discusses the American Revolution's impact on the class structure of the new nation, emphasizing how the revolution maintained existing hierarchies and economic disparities.
  • Focus: The constitution was crafted to protect the interests of the wealthy elite, while failing to extend true rights and opportunities to marginalized groups.

Key Points

Armed Society and Revolution

  • The revolution was facilitated by an already armed population, primarily white males.
  • The revolutionary leadership was skeptical of the poor and knew they had no appeal to slaves and Indians.
  • General enthusiasm for war was low among the populace.

Societal Divisions

  • A significant portion of the population was either opposed or indifferent to the revolution.
  • Slavery and internal suppressions limited the South's efforts against the British.
  • Military service became a means for the poor to improve their social status.

Economic and Social Disparities

  • The military and revolutionary movements were primarily supported by poorer groups, while the wealthy retained influence with minimal direct involvement.
  • The revolution was an opportunity for the colonial elite to replace British loyalists and consolidate power.

Constitutional Convention

  • The constitution was intended to protect property rights and maintain social hierarchies.
  • Economic elites dominated the constitutional convention, with little representation from marginalized groups.
  • Amendments like the Bill of Rights were implemented to build support but often selectively enforced.

Class Struggle

  • Post-revolution, economic disparity persisted, with wealth concentrated in the hands of a few.
  • The ruling class used war to keep internal conflicts subdued and maintain control.
  • Taxation and economic policies often protected the interests of the wealthy.

Mutinies and Rebellion

  • Shays' Rebellion and other uprisings highlighted dissatisfaction among the poor and veterans.
  • The government responded with force to suppress these movements, maintaining the status quo.

Impact on Marginalized Groups

  • Native Americans continued to be pushed out and dispossessed.
  • Slavery persisted, though some progress was made in the North post-revolution.
  • Women's roles and rights were largely ignored in the new political framework.

Constitutional Critique

  • The federalists favored a strong central government to protect elite interests.
  • The constitution was a compromise between northern commerce interests and southern slaveholding.
  • Critics argue the constitution served to uphold and protect property rights over human rights.

Reflection

  • The lecture suggests that the revolution did not radically alter the class system, instead reinforcing existing power structures.
  • Zinn argues that the founding fathers crafted the constitution to maintain their economic interests rather than to establish true democracy.
  • The chapter is critical of the historical narrative that celebrates the revolution as a triumph of liberty and equality.

Final Thoughts

  • The chapter provides insight into the motivations behind America's founding documents, questioning the genuine intent behind the revolution.
  • Challenges the reader to consider the ongoing implications of these foundational choices in contemporary society.

Conclusion: The chapter offers a critical view of the American Revolution, highlighting the continuities in social and economic hierarchies and questioning the efficacy of the constitution in truly democratizing American society.