From Resistance to Revolution, by Pauline Maier is an analysis of the ideological evolution of American radicals from 1765 to 1776. Maier primarily focuses her study on those who were leaders in opposition to the Stamp Act of 1765 leading up to independence from Britain, and how their instruction over protestors were very much in line with real Whig thought of the 17th and 18th century. She claims that with this knowledge of previous exposure to the rules and tradition of English revolutionaries, the American Revolution takes on greater consistency. While several historians have attempted to find the exact motivations of colonists during the contentious years leading up the Revolutionary War, Maier finds this to be a fruitless endeavor and
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Particularly focusing on the Sons of Liberty and other prominent historical figures of the time who proved to be integral to organizing the protests against the Stamp Act of 1765. Maier provides sufficient evidence that the Sons were a well-respected organization whose main concern was that of restraint and order. However, they weren’t always successful in convincing their fellow colonists to act with restraint, as was the case with the Boston Massacre or any of the other times when protests turned into riots and people began destroying property. She also asserts that the goal during this phase of opposition was to right the English Constitution, not call for the creation of a new one. What was truly remarkable about the Sons was that they were able to establish intercolonial resistance, and organize with people from all across the colonies against the Stamp Act. While they weren’t always successful at preventing violence from occurring, their ability to organize and communicate efficiently was a strong indicator of English traditions. Maier is persuasive in building her argument in this section, her writing was concise and easy to understand. As someone who possesses a small amount of background knowledge on the subject, I felt Maier had been successful in conveying the attitudes and feelings towards Parliament and the Crown. This was the first breach of trust, but with the repeal of the act, the government was set right again and reform had been
Particularly focusing on the Sons of Liberty and other prominent historical figures of the time who proved to be integral to organizing the protests against the Stamp Act of 1765. Maier provides sufficient evidence that the Sons were a well-respected organization whose main concern was that of restraint and order. However, they weren’t always successful in convincing their fellow colonists to act with restraint, as was the case with the Boston Massacre or any of the other times when protests turned into riots and people began destroying property. She also asserts that the goal during this phase of opposition was to right the English Constitution, not call for the creation of a new one. What was truly remarkable about the Sons was that they were able to establish intercolonial resistance, and organize with people from all across the colonies against the Stamp Act. While they weren’t always successful at preventing violence from occurring, their ability to organize and communicate efficiently was a strong indicator of English traditions. Maier is persuasive in building her argument in this section, her writing was concise and easy to understand. As someone who possesses a small amount of background knowledge on the subject, I felt Maier had been successful in conveying the attitudes and feelings towards Parliament and the Crown. This was the first breach of trust, but with the repeal of the act, the government was set right again and reform had been