"If we admit that we're very class-based — which we really are — that reveals the uncomfortable truth that we're not as democratic as we like to pretend to be, which is the heart and soul of this country," he said. "If we're not truly democracy, then what are we? That's the whole justification for creating this country."

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] RION@hexbear.net 12 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Your edit is reasonable but to suggest it as the overwhelming cause seems a bit too far. Granted I'm not a historian but I've heard it suggested there isn't enough to support that view

[–] Tom742@hexbear.net 15 points 6 months ago (3 children)

That’s most likely correct, my wording should have been better. I just chafe when I see the america settler colonial projects bid for independence framed only as an issue of taxation. With more reading of diverse sources Slavery focuses into one of the major motivators.

Further context can be found in the way the slavery conflict was written into the declaration of independence. Even with independence from Britain won, the uniting of the northern industrial and southern slave economies was on extremely rocky footing. By examining the Civil War you can trace the roots of major issues to the American War of Independence.

[–] quarrk@hexbear.net 7 points 6 months ago (1 children)

It's fascinating to me so I'll add it to my list of things to look into. Thanks for including it in your comments.

[–] Tom742@hexbear.net 4 points 6 months ago

Slaves were just as instrumental in the war of independence as they were in the Civil War. During both conflicts they were misled by false promises of freedom. It’s a very fascinating part of American history that has been largely overlooked by white male historians, go figure.

[–] quarrk@hexbear.net 6 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I ended up finding this article about the fate of African Americans after the Yorktown Treaty. Interesting stuff.

Most historians who cover Yorktown are content to celebrate Washington’s military genius. The blinders imposed by the lingering effects of American exceptionalism deter them from grappling with issues that would complicate the traditional triumphalist narrative. A clear-eyed look at the sources—including those recorded by British and German participants—reveals that for the 200,000 African Americans who composed 40 percent of the Old Dominion’s population, freedom wore a red coat, not blue, in 1781.

In the leadup to the War of Independence, prominent white colonists feared that British authorities would liberate their enslaved persons in retaliation for rebellion. The African American population certainly hoped that would be the case. After conversing with two Blacks in service to a Pennsylvania family fleeing the Redcoats’ advance on Philadelphia, Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, a Lutheran minister, confided to his diary on September 20, 1777: “They secretly wished that the British army might win, for then all Negro slaves will gain their freedom. It is said that this sentiment is almost universal among the Negroes in America.”

[–] Tom742@hexbear.net 5 points 6 months ago

The book Settlers is always highly recommended and it delves into this event a little, a good companion piece could be The 1619 Project as well!

[–] Collatz_problem@hexbear.net 2 points 6 months ago

Name more iconic duo than Americans and seceding to keep slavery. It happened thrice.