American Revolutions: A Continental History, 1750-1804

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2016

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction-Chapter 2

Chapters 3-4

Chapters 5-6

Chapters 7-8

Chapters 9-10

Chapters 11-12

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Chapters 7-8Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 7 Summary: “Wests”

Taylor explores the intertwined narratives of frontier expansion, Indian resistance, and European alliances during the Revolutionary War, emphasizing the complex relationships between American settlers, Indigenous American tribes, and European powers.

The push for independence by American Patriots was closely linked to their desire to expand westward into Indigenous lands, challenging the British-imposed boundaries that aimed to protect Indigenous peoples’ territories. This hunger for land led to conflicts with various Indigenous American tribes, who saw the American rebellion as a direct threat to their own survival and autonomy. Notably, figures like Joseph Brant among the Mohawks recognized the rebellion as a bid by settlers to dominate the continent, pushing Indigenous people into a precarious position of choosing sides in a conflict that ultimately aimed at their displacement.

The Eastern Indigenous tribes, such as those in southern New England, were coerced or opted to fight alongside the Patriots; hoping for protection, they suffered heavy casualties and further land loss. On the Western frontier, conversely, Indigenous tribes strove for neutrality, only to find themselves caught between British and American strategic interests. The British, initially hesitant to fully engage Indigenous allies, eventually sought their support as the war expanded, relying on Indigenous raids to destabilize American frontier settlements.

This chapter details several pivotal moments and campaigns that illustrate the violent contest over the American West. The Cherokee, led by figures like Dragging Canoe, launched attacks on American settlements, only to face brutal retaliatory campaigns that decimated their towns and populations. Similarly, the narrative covers the strategic but tragic involvement of Indigenous tribes in the conflict, highlighting their complex negotiations with British agents and the devastating impacts of disease, particularly smallpox, which ravaged Indigenous communities already destabilized by war.

The narrative also explores the Spanish perspective, particularly through the actions of Bernardo de Gálvez in Louisiana, who seized the opportunity to expand Spanish influence at the expense of British control, capturing key territories in West Florida. Taylor frames Gálvez’s campaigns as part of a broader Spanish strategy to limit British power while cautiously supporting the American cause, a reflection of Spain’s ambivalent position regarding the emerging United States and its implications for Spanish colonial interests.

Chapter 8 Summary: “Oceans”

Taylor discusses the pivotal role of naval power during the American Revolution, highlighting how the oceanic theaters became crucial battlegrounds that influenced the outcome of the conflict. The chapter underscores the strategic importance of navies, describing the structure and function of 18th-century naval forces, including the dominant “ships-of-the-line” and the lighter, more agile frigates. The British Royal Navy, stretched thin by global commitments and budget cuts, struggled initially to assert dominance over American waters and protect merchant shipping from Patriot privateers.

The narrative then shifts to the broader international context, emphasizing how the entry of France and later Spain into the war significantly challenged British naval supremacy. French naval support was critical to the American cause, diverting British resources and providing much-needed aid and military assistance to the Patriots. The French and Spanish sought to exploit their naval initiatives in the Caribbean, a region of immense economic importance due to its lucrative sugar colonies, to stretch British defenses even thinner.

The chapter details various naval engagements and strategic decisions, such as the British focus on protecting the West Indies over North American colonies, the impact of privateering on British commerce, and the significant naval battles that determined control of the seas. It also touches on the interplay of naval power with the broader geopolitical ambitions of the European powers involved, illustrating how the conflict on the oceans was intertwined with the political and economic objectives of Britain, France, and Spain.

As the narrative progresses, it explores the consequences of naval engagements for the outcome of the war. The successful blockade of Yorktown by a French fleet under Comte de Grasse, preventing British relief of Cornwallis’s forces, directly led to the British defeat there, effectively ending major combat operations in the Revolution. The chapter also discusses the post-war implications of the conflict for naval power and colonial ambitions, particularly the shift in focus towards the Caribbean and the expansion of British influence in other parts of the world despite the loss of the American colonies.

Chapters 7-8 Analysis

In these chapters, Taylor continues to offer a broad perspective on the American Revolution, extending beyond the conventional narratives of a simple struggle for independence from British rule. By incorporating the perspectives of Indigenous Americans, the strategic significance of global alliances, and the critical role of naval power, Taylor presents the Revolution not just as a pivotal event in American history, but as a complex and interconnected global conflict. This approach prompts reconsideration of the multifaceted impacts of the Revolution on a wide range of stakeholders.

One of the most striking aspects of Taylor’s analysis is his emphasis on the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous Americans, which are often overlooked in traditional narratives. By way of this analysis, Taylor highlights The Contradictions of Liberty: Slavery and Indigenous Dispossession. For instance, Taylor notes, “Indians suspected that American independence would accelerate their dispossession and enslavement” (129), highlighting the deep anxieties Indigenous American communities harbored towards the burgeoning Patriot cause. This perspective sheds light on the inherent contradictions of the Patriots’ fight for liberty—a struggle for freedom that simultaneously threatened the sovereignty and way of life of Indigenous peoples. By integrating these voices, Taylor broadens the book’s narrative scope, offering a more nuanced and inclusive historical analysis that acknowledges the Revolution’s diverse and often conflicting implications.

Taylor’s work also outlines the geopolitical facets of the Revolution and The Role of International Dynamics in the American Revolution, which he illustrates through his careful structuring of the narrative to juxtapose various stakeholders’ experiences and strategies. A telling example comes from a Patriot committee’s denouncement in May 1775: “the Indians, whom we dread most” because “they are to be made use of in keeping us in awe” (128). This quote underscores the settlers’ strategic considerations and fears regarding Indigenous American alliances with the British. Taylor employs this and other historical references to dissect the layered motivations and strategies that defined the era, highlighting the geopolitical considerations of the Revolution. Through this approach, Taylor reveals the American Revolution as a global event, shaped by and shaping a complex web of international relations and colonial ambitions.

The global stage of the American Revolution also comes into focus through Taylor’s examination of naval power and the strategic interplay between the European colonial empires. A prime example is the involvement of France and Spain, whose support proved crucial to the American cause. Alexander Hamilton’s candid reflection in 1780, “If we are [to be] saved, France and Spain must save us” (151), encapsulates the desperate reliance of the American revolutionaries on European intervention. Taylor uses this admission to underscore the Revolution’s complexity, illustrating it as a conflict deeply enmeshed in the era’s geopolitical dynamics. This approach not only highlights the strategic alliances formed during the Revolution but also demonstrates Taylor’s ability to connect the American struggle for independence with broader global conflicts, further challenging the traditional narrative that often portrays the Revolution in isolation.

The narrative additionally portrays key naval battles and figures, shedding light on the importance of maritime supremacy. For instance, the description of Admiral Rodney’s attack on the Comte de Guichen near Martinique serves as a testament to the extensive geographical scope and the pivotal role of naval engagements in the Caribbean. Taylor’s mention of Rodney’s leadership style—“Rodney’s self-assurance inspired subordinates and intimidated enemy commanders” (148)—not only personalizes the conflict but also illustrates how individual characteristics could significantly sway the course of the war. This focus on naval power and the detailed accounts of maritime strategy provides a dynamic view of the conflict, emphasizing its complexity and the multifaceted nature of 18th-century warfare.

Taylor’s exploration of the Revolution further extends to the siege of Gibraltar, highlighting the strategic importance of naval bases and the interconnectedness of various theaters of war. This inclusion not only reinforces the global dimensions of the conflict but also serves to illustrate the broader implications of the Revolution on European colonial powers and their global interests. By weaving these elements into his narrative, Taylor underscores the American Revolution’s significance as a pivotal moment in world history, affecting not just the fate of the 13 Colonies but also the balance of power in the colonial world.