ANALYSIS OF THE HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. PAGE LECTURE FIRST. CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION. The Revolution a decisive epoch of civilization No good true Republic in existence, when the American The Republics of Europe. Holland; Venice Genoa; Lucca; San Marino The Monarchies contrasted with them; Prussia; Russia; England; Spain; France The feudal system in antagonism with modern ideas The dependence of the American colonies on England a The colonists thoroughly English in their sympathies The Revolution eclipsed for a time by the events which Impartiality of History The Revolution viewed in this light both a cause and effect What was the cause? Two classes of causes First, in the colonial system Reverence for law a national characteristic The spirit of English liberty an animating principle of the colonists The spirit of English liberty defined and traced to its origin Its form when transported to America 9 10 The Navigation Act, the first interference of Parlia nent with colonial rights The feelings which it awakened After this the relation between England and her colonies a business relation in her eyes Americans The feelings caused by this relation among English feeling English ignorance of America a second cause English conceptions of the colonies Their thoughts of investment and gain, not brotherhood. The nature of municipal institutions a third cause 14 15 15 16 17 17 18 18 18 Freedom of the English system an advantage over other systems The colonists' form of municipal institutions English England in her dealings with the colonies at war with her own political system. England's misfortune, adopting an erroneous system and adhering to it Possibility of a reconciliation before 1763. Part of George III. in the contest The American struggle in connection with the state of The Treaty of Paris and its results 20 20 24 The course of the English tax-payers during the war Effects of this Many steps before actual war American feeling of dependence vague and undefined Alienation a slow process The course of French and English statesmen contrasted 30 THE SECOND CLASS OF CAUSES. A great question sure to be agitated All nations agitated by the contest The interests at stake The American Revolution a war between natural and hereditary rights LECTURE II. THE PHASES OF THE REVOLUTION. Recapitulation of Lecture I. >The first colony and the first league The growth of the colonies and their relations to the mother country >Their relations to each other The first interference of the home government Position of England toward the colonies during the com monwealth English estimation of the Act of Navigation The object and spirit of the Act The thirteenth clause The enumerated commodities The King's claim on Maine woods Its results The feelings of the colonists in regard to this claim ors and its consequences A law in violation of public opinion a fatal error in Leg- An effect of the Act of Navigation on the colonists 33 33 34 35 The ways by which England drives the colonies to seek independence 46 A new phase, the French and Indian war 47 The action of the colonists. The Congress at Albany The relative position of the two countries Resistance a necessity Patrick Henry's Resolutions and the "Declaration of Their influence on Americans The formal declarations of both countries in regard to taxation. The American opinion confirmed by Henry's Resolutions and the Declaration of Rights Aggression on the part of England met by Retaliation on the part of America A British garrison in Boston and the effect The Committees of Correspondence وو Their results. The last phase of the Revolution Regret of many Americans at the separation. Prepara tions for war Lexington Ticonderoga The Revolution accomplished Mistakes on both sides at the beginning of the war First period of the war. Washington's rise in public es 53 54 54 54 55 56 56 58 60 60 How the plan is frustrated The calumnies against Washington His refutation of the calumnies and supremacy The results of his supremacy and successes The American position viewed from the present and a contemporary stand-point Second period; the campaign in the Carolinas The campaign in Virginia Appointment of Robert Morris as financier The remainder of the war The men who composed this Congress and the character of Franklin 70 Franklin's opinions, at that time, concerning independence 71 |