Considering the Revolution

“Considering the Revolution: The Identities Created by American Revolutionary War” was closing public plenary at May 2022 virtual conference of National Council on Public History (NCPH). session, sponsored Park Service (NPS) and NCPH, second in a series five annual scholarly roundtables considering origins legacies Revolution, dialogues which will contribute to larger discussions during NPS’s commemorations Revolution’s 250th anniversary about its changing interpretation continuing relevance people. These be used NPS staff their interpretive work with regardless geographic location or primary focus, NCPH members as they prepare themselves students for commemorations, consider Revolution own lives.The War seminal event that created new identities, borders, realities British, French, African, Indigenous inhabitants North America. While war foundational formation what became modern identity, repercussions go well beyond citizens republic. events 1776 1783 not only divided continent between British interests, also families communities “Patriots” who supported Congressional Army “Loyalists” Crown. establishment US–British (later Canadian) border defined territories United States—without any consideration rights interests—it peoples America into subjects, while imposing settler-colonial construct upon nations.Historic sites, such Minute Man Historic Park, Independence Hall Valley Forge States, Fortifications Quebec Site Canada, play dual role historical War. sites commemorate recount occurred conflict, but guide visitors towards very specific idea individuals participating them were. Whether it Forge, prompts remember “sacrifices perseverance generation [honor] power people pull together overcome adversity,” City, where learn fortifications allowed “the French colonists were still living there resist rebels,” historic memory, help develop sense identity because are places general can interact “collective shared knowledge past, group’s unity individuality is based.”1As Jan Assamann states “Collective Memory Cultural Identity,” cultural commemoration 1783, “defined through kind identificatory determination positive (‘we this’) negative (‘that’s our opposite’) sense.” In other words, act building collective memory memorialization helps shape group identities those “belong do not” groups.2 Case point: 1784, Loyalists from Mohawk Valley, part 1st battalion King’s Royal Regiment New York refugees Montreal, established small settlement one “Royal Townships” St. Lawrence River. townships specifically set aside west old colony along northern shore river replacement lands had lost properties fleeing republic did want live under seigneurial landholding system Quebec. A 1784 painting James Peachy immortalized this meager Loyalist settlement. Peachy, travelled up River, painted scene first encampment.Two centuries later, 1984, city Cornwall Ontario, Canada (my hometown), celebrated bicentennial founding refugees. commission organized year-long squarely placed community’s initial two-hundred-odd soldiers families. commissioned academic history Cornwall, children’s coloring books, parade, various promotional materials all reinforced notion cornerstone community “frontier” spirit shaped last two hundred years Cornwall’s evolution. Peachy’s throughout documents even included mural depicting different moments city’s history. As Elinor Kyte Senior her From Township Industrial City: 1784–1984, “descendants Loyalists” continued celebrate Britishness settlers countless ways—from name hockey team (the “Royals”) local military regiment Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry Highlanders).3Rarely mentioned celebration, although constantly inferred, directly Independence. direct result arrival desiring lands, policies resettle them, description “Loyalist” stronghold day. Jocelyn Létourneau Université de Laval has pointed out his many works, understanding how shapes influences “who we think are” become” central tenant history; he writes, study decisive acquisition civic consciousness conscious identity.”4 My (not mention my career historian) been event, telling meant ingrain me I am whose core being loyal “King Country” definitely “American.” view myself “Canadian” more outcome eighteenth-century than actual creation 1867.The “identity” interpretation, discourse, continues discussed debated historians, political scientists, philosophers around world. Building argument, session War/War settler-colonialism, one, countries, States further examined have evolved continue influence current ideas “American” “Canadian.” To flesh practitioners specializing center these invited share perspectives: Rebecca Brannon, associate professor Madison University researching stayed after war; Michael Hattem, director Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute working popular Revolution; Patrick O'Brien, lecturer Kennesaw State focuses loyalist fled rebellious Taylor Stoermer, teaches Johns Hopkins experience; Seynabou Thiam-Pereira, PhD candidate Civilization Paris 8 (Vincennes Saint-Denis) Black Americans, mostly fugitive enslaved peoples, fought army Independence.The session’s conversation built six questions delved intricacies complexities came War—Patriot, Loyalist, neutral—and colonial-era concepts ongoing impact question addressed panelists, “What mean ‘loyalist’ ‘patriot’ eighteenth century, similarities identities?” sought lay foundation discussion establishing broader definitions terminology. panel’s question, “Who ‘Loyalists’ exile decisions ‘final’ destination?” aimed clarify motivations drove remain camp ultimately leave previous questions, third, say neither ‘Patriots’—the others colonies/new republic?” intended bring greater attention most often excluded typical Patriot/Loyalist dichotomy perception Revolution. With fourth conflicts ‘new’ cause, spur on, perpetuate?” panelists turned basis long-standing conflicts. final plenary, “How ‘Patriots’ become ‘Americans’ grand project succeed fail?” does elsewhere?” designed threads so focus process identity-building debates Canadian societies.The wide-ranging facts, perceptions, myths Caribbean elsewhere. Although ebb flow demonstrated complexity began three overarching themes: were”; are.” theme centred involved conflict saw groups related another. looked deeply historiography Patriots Loyalists, third brought discussing histories connected perceptions views America.A fundamental aspect debate terms “Patriot” “Loyalist.” common (colonists favoring independence Kingdom) wanting tied King), descriptions create an impression clearly glossing over factors hide meaning usage changed course war. O’Brien noted, prior 1774, could describe range beliefs, elaborated when “fair call someone [and] fair Patriot.” concerns complaints colonies unique location; present elsewhere Empire. For example, protests against Stamp Act Halifax, Jamaica, Scotland. point, Stoermer stressed use “loyalty” applied either both expressed loyalty—either representative democracy king parliament. positions John Randolph cousin, Thomas Jefferson, Virginia lead war, showed distinctions thin, “Patriot,” “Loyalist,” “Whig,” “Tory” flux “different things them.”5 progressed, took increasingly divisive connotations.As Brannon indicated, always ideology separated 1776, “but lot [was] circumstances life. So you find like Samuel Seabury early writers advocate vision loyalism constitutional order empire.” motivation side largely motivated fear civil breaking across colonies. case others, joining highly situational. gave example Beverly Robinson simply “wanted left alone farm Hudson choose until Oath passed legislature [when] forced make choice whether he’s going serve least contribute” cause. Robinson, proved tipping point imposition “infringement exact liberty freedom protect,” pushed him Loyalist. His sons grandchildren would prominent Upper Canada.6Whether leap remained “loyal” King due, Hattem described, strength individual “cultural Britishness.” This linkage “Britishness” becomes “calculus” chose identify “Patriots.” Those break oppose rule Patriots, relinquish Loyalists. defining element later 60,000 traveled Great Britain.To emphasize drew Sir Eardley Wilmot, Chief Justice Common Pleas, second-highest law court English legal system, American-born painter, Benjamin West. another “painting” within showing allegorical figure Britannia receiving Revolution—an image includes African First Nations women. imagery evoked West’s underlies truths It just white Christian men lived suffered consequences flee republic, follow husbands enslavers. reminded us, “white women presumed husband’s allegiance that’s true not.”What clear some ideological differences values customs, especially respect human property. Thiam-Pereira us alike “tended similar practice slavery,” documented, Patriots’ republican “ideas equality failed universally reach population despite fact free doubled numbers states” end several key fathers, George Washington called enslavers is, course, widely known, historians media.7 Less understood perceived abolitionists following 1772 Somerset v. Stewart decision, stated unlawful sold away England generally seen step abolition country, enslavers.8 When “household.” stressed, “a portion Blacks ‘Black Loyalists’ [as] join freely [but] masters.” “The Background Slaves,” Harvey Amani Whitefield discusses Americans “experienced massive upheaval migration coupled chaos resettlement postwar Maritime Canada” remaining enslaved.9 same applies Kingdom Islands 1873.The was, underscored largest rebellion mainland Civil War, offered opportunity attaining freedom, making “Loyalists.” noted stories, origins, paths “Black Loyalists,” come “are multiple, British.” Her research shown offering exchange enlistment proclamations 1775 1779, whereas captured enslaved.10 Enslaved Africans flocked promise escape slavery racial discrimination. Freedom enslavement not, however, reason amongst ranks known although, indicates, less clear.In exodus constituted century. large extent, hopes escaping discrimination experienced realized. faced re-enslavement hands Brunswick Nova Scotia, arrived discover status franchise elected representation severely curtailed. Basically, sacrifices calls equal treatment “second-class subjects” colonies, provinces, implemented polices systemic marginalization populations. And yet, social, racial, economic mosaics joined. “excluded societies,” “an entirely visible post-Revolutionary world.”As shown, exclusion limited experiences; extended place Scholars renaissance studies 1960s 1970s silent existence distinct camp.11 broad recognition made—a grow.As “fluidity loyalty colonists.” “these weren't singular identity. They family, religious obligations community, oftentimes spoke allegiances time.” structure, task convince support cause take ones asking “people change orientation State, affiliation” abandon known. calling rise familiar fight abstract may improve life.In letter Rush 1812, Adams presented parties stating leading Declaration Independence, “were Tories, timid Blue.”12 held firm divisions colonial society, repeating statistics letters compatriots, Jefferson 1813 character Continental Congress: “one Tories. Another Whigs rest mongrels.”13 emphasized discussion, “we agree…that absolutely wrong…when wrote between.” There actually no statistical evidence Adams’s statement—not prevented quoting it. estimate quoted repeated Sydney Fisher 1909 book, Struggle Independence.14 constant repetition quote lines “Patriots,” “Loyalists,” “those between” defined. decades, time little given falling outside definitions.This respective sides modern-day understandings identities. since itself, assumption “colonists sort developed ‘American’ period maturation causes Revolution,” formed conflict. “process creating national nation decade old. revolutionary define legacy subsequent generations” publication 1812 war.15 factor identification “American-ness” had, “achieved [achieving] thing entirely.”The recent development. Research writing long staple history, dating far back 1841 Donald M’Leod’s Brief Review Settlement U.E. Scotch Highlanders 1783. Wallace Brown’s Friends renewed interest Country.” work, Robert M. Calhoon, grew developing field social provided way looking stereotype “patrician elite.”16 “members conservative elite, wealthy, educated, Anglican important connections Empire” distortion truly Brown 1965, went “farmers average wealth,” Nation warriors, dislocated children.17 if background: “They didn’t background. What they’re refugees.” Quebec, Britain, where, “found discomforting experience found fit thought would.”As comments imply, women, wives, sisters, daughters men, viewed category regard roles communities. shows Mary Robie sister Hetty, refugee Marblehead, Massachusetts, played refuge. study, Robie’s diary revealed “emotional toll struggle she refugee” striving build among displaced Loyalists.18 said former “enemies.” described Reunion: Reintegration South Carolina fates husbands, brothers, sons, without ever having espoused worked rebuild communities.19Whereas much literature focused Patriot vs. divide, paid side; who, Nations, wish involved; pacifists due Quakers. stated, neutral stance courted “Neutrals” Quakers, beliefs swear side, targeted supporters rounded removed Pennsylvania Virginia. article “Constructing Female Loyalism(s) Delaware Valley,” Kacy Tillman oppression Quakers Quaker “loyalism” belief system.20 number sided believing alliances Crown beneficial raids them. smaller Revolutionaries, people, split Haudenosaunee Confederacy.21 Other nations “newcomers,” seeing, Gregory Dowd it, “there winning strategy” war.22In 1975 1976, amid flurry publications eve Bicentennial historian William F. Marina published articles significance upcoming advocating patriotic article, Minority Myth” journal Modern Age, tackles above participation rates (“one Patriot, Neutral”) greatest day perpetuate it.23 He argued “people’s war” “elite” aim forming egalitarian society castes. “Militia, Standing Armies, Second Amendment: Some Perspectives asserted reaction Vietnam led reassessment victory widespread society.24 July 1, titled People’s War,” bluntly asked, “Just celebrating Bicentennial? few notable exceptions, reality seems escaped segment profession, judging Bicentennial.”25In rebuking “anti-revolutionary” coll