The Radicalism of the American Revolution

When American colonies first began to form, they were primarily small communities that consisted of members of the same or several families. How did this contribute to the formation of the paternalistic social structure that existed during America’s colonial period? What evidence does Wood present to show that this social structure was formed by necessity, and how much of it was influenced by the monarchy?

Why were common people were seen as unimportant to the national character in the colonial era? How did the horizontal hierarchy present in American society contribute to this point of view?

How does Wood trace the shifting definition of a gentleman over time? Describe the role and definition of a gentleman leading up to the time of the Revolution. How did this change after the Revolution, and what impact did it have on the social and political dynamics in the American colonies?

According to Wood, how did the Enlightenment bring the ideas of republicanism into American society? Why did these ideas take on more significance in America than in other English-speaking countries?

In his book, Wood discusses the differences between a republic and a democracy and argues that the founding fathers were not interested in founding a democracy. What is the difference between these two forms of government, and why were the founding fathers so opposed to democracy? Do you agree with their opposition? Why or why not?

Why did the common man embrace the idea of equality so completely? How did it change the way they saw themselves? How did it change the way they viewed the gentry?

Views on labor changed throughout the 18th century. How did these changing views contribute to the disintegration of the aristocracy in America? How did this change politics and political offices after the Revolution?

How did changing views on parenthood change paternalism in America? Why was the father-child relationship such a major part of early American society, and how did changing views on equality and changes within the economy alter it?