History Courses For Dr. Christopher C. Lovett
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History Courses For Dr. Christopher C. Lovett |
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Updated as of 2 October 05 Today in History: On October 2, 1780, Major John Andrι, a British spy associated with Benedict Arnold, was executed on this day in history. Quote of the Day: "In my view we are much worse off now than when we went into Iraq. This is not a partisan position. I voted for these guys." A senior figure at a military-sponsored think tank as told to James Fallows in "Bush's Lost Year" in The Atlantic Monthly (Oct. 2004) Take the Ann Coulter Quiz Where are you politically? Take the Neocon Quiz and find out. "History is Far too Important to be left to History Professors" Teaching isn't such a novel idea
Bibliography:
History of Disease Contemporary Terrorist Organizations Map of Islamic Terrorist Cells in the U.S.A.
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The American RevolutionModern World CivilizationSpring 2009How do Americans Feel About Revolutions? When Americans hear the Bolshevik Exhortation Workers of the World Arise They think its Time for the coffee break. In the 1930s, it was common to hear your great grandparents say, evolution, not revolution. What does that mean? But Americans are generally fearful of revolutions. Especially of the left-wing type.Chalmers Johnson Typology Jacquerie Spontaneous peasant uprising carried out under the traditional authority figures, the church and crown. Millenarian Rebellion similar to the first, but driven by feature of a planned utopia. Anarchistic Rebellion Reaction to change. Jacobin Communist Revolution Occurs in highly centralized states and the target is the government, regime and society. Conspiratorial Coup DEtat led by a small, dedicated elite. Militarized Mass Insurrection Common in the 20th Century.What Causes Revolutions? Revolutions are an indication that a society is unstable. Sometimes, political or economic, which causes disequilibrium. But usually government faces an economic crisis. Not necessarily the public crisis. In some cases you had a rich or well-off citizenry but an impoverished government. Which demonstrates a sense of incompetence.A Practical Example Britain ran serious deficits in order to defeat France in the Seven Years War. The question was who was going to pay for the debt? British citizens or American colonists? British colonial policy would force Britain to enforce parliamentary control. Enforcing existing colonial policy.George III and The Enlightenment Catherine the Great never fully applied the principles of the Enlightenment. Despite Clios decision to make her an Enlightened Despot. The same cannot be said for Farmer George. Thats George III, King of England. He showed no inclination to do anything with the Enlightenment accept for agriculture. But he did attempt to reassert monarchial rights.The German Connection In politics, George III attempted to do a diluted version of enlightened despotism. He was the first of the Hanoverian Kings born in England. And speak English. He attempted to reassert rights that his relatives had lost. In reality he tried to wrestle control of the House of Commons from the Whigs.How Did George III Do It? The old fashion way. He bribed politicians. And offered them patronage.George III The Man He was virtuous. He was devoted to his family. But he was stubborn. He also had an dietary disorder that caused temporary insanity at times. He was very loyal to his friends. Such as Lord Bute, his friend and former tutor. But had to sacrifice him for not gaining the French Sugar Islands in 1763.The Peace of Paris and George IIIs Enemies Lord Bute was sacrificed because England did not gain the Sugar Islands. Then John Wilkes, a member of Parliament, called it the Peace of God, for it passeth all understanding. Wilkes attacked the treaty in his paper, The North Briton. Under Royal pressure, the Commons ordered the issue to be burnt. Wilkes ran for Parliament three times, and the Commons refused to sit him.Wilkes and Liberty Wilkes finally took his seat in 1774. Riots ensued. He would become a hero to the Americans. A wise King would have rethought his plans to manage his cabinet and the Commons. But not George III. Finally George III found his man, Lord North, who served as PM from 1770-1782. Why is this important?Start of the Troubles The issue came to the forefront at the close of the Seven Years War. When it came to pay the piper. To pay the bill for the war. Which meant an end to the policy of Salutary Neglect. Parliament went against their better interest and try to tax the colonies. But there was another issue as well that had to be considered.Another Issue was the New Territories Who was now going to control the new Trans-Appalachian West. An area gained by Britain through the Treaty of Paris. And the Americans wanted land. How would the Indians/Native Americans feel? The British Army had to patrol the region. Forcing settlers out.The Tax Issue The British government wanted to share the pain. Since the national debt doubled since the war. The British claimed that the Americans did not pay their fair share. Especially in providing troops and money. Was it fair that British taxpayers pay more than the Americans? The Americans would never agree to that.The New British Tax Policies The first measure was the Sugar Act of 1764. The American merchants were concerned that the British would collect duties on on molasses, sugar and other items. The merchants thought this was a threat to their interests. As well as the fact that the Americans had to pay their duties in specie, aka, gold and silver.The Hot Button Issue The most serious was the Stamp Act of 1765, which covered a wide range of documents and items. The Americans began to boycott British goods. Forcing British merchants to stand up to the politicians and retract the measures. The Americans even held a Stamp Act Congress in New York to respond.The Stamp Act Congress The Stamp Act Congress argued the principal no taxation without representation. The British caved. But not on the key issue of Parliamentary authority. This was done by the Declaratory Act, stating that the King and Parliament had the authority to make laws for the colonies.The Next Crisis The Declaratory Act remained in force for the next ten years. The British then attempted to raise revenue via the Townshend Duties. Which were taxes on tea, paper, lead, and paint. Merchants in Philadelphia, Boston, and New York protested and boycotted British good. Parliament then withdrew them except the tax on tea.The Tea Act The government of Lord North left the Tax on tea in 1770. The merchants saw this as a threat. And three years later on Dec. 16, 1773, a group of Bostonians set out to raid one of the ships carrying the tea. This was not well received in London. The result was the Intolerable Acts (1774).The Intolerable Acts Massachusetts Government Act Allowed the Crown to appoint the councilors rather than the legislature. Quartering Act Massachusetts must provide lodging for the troops. Administration of Justice Act Protected soldiers and courts of unruly patriots. Quebec Act Extending the border of Quebec to the Ohio River cutting the claims of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Virginia. Boston Port Act Closing the Port of Boston after June 1, 1774.The March of Folly Parliament adopted a policy that ran counter to their national interests. This contributed to the coming of the American Revolution. That was not a smart move for British merchants. Plus drawing Britain into a world war. This was not evident at first. But becomes so when France enters the conflict.Could the British Really Have Won? Not really. The numbers were against them. But London never really take that into account. Is that something we should consider in the present political climate? Why did the British have such a rough time in pacifying America? Was it even possible?Implications for the Future France enters the conflict after the Battle of Saratoga. Contributing to the collapse of the first British Empire. But it place considerable economic burdens on France. Demonstrating the incompetence of the French government. Particularly in balancing the French debt. Which set the stage for the French Revolution.
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