Post-Revolutionary Crises: Themes & Questions
Post-Revolutionary Crises: Themes & Questions
Unity vs. Plurality
· Following Revolution,
· Saw selves as independent nation-states (countries).
· Distrusted, and even disliked each other.
Localism vs. Nationalism
· Primary loyalty and frame of reference was the local territory, not even the state.
· Reputation
· Control of government = locality
· Separation of Powers
· Slowly growing sense of “nationalism.”
o Is
o Common language: Noah Webster: dictionary 1780
o Territory: common borders or boundaries <> Localism, no large cities (compared to
o Common traditions and institutions: Religion, Fourth of July: 1830-50’s
o Currency: specie & local paper credits (reputation)
· Myth of American National Character
o Myth = narrative formulation of a culture’s worldview.
o Letters of an American Farmer by Hector Saint John Crevecoeur:
o Equality, uniformity
o Melting pot
o Self-made man
o Ideal vs. Reality
· How much liberty is good for society?
· Too much liberty = anarchy
· Too much order = tyranny
Democracy vs. Republicanism
· Democracy = Competition of self-interests
· Republicanism = Self-discipline & self-denial
· Sacrifice of self-interest for the sake of the government
· Republic Virtue
o Thomas Paine: the common good of the public
o Monarchy, Aristocracy & Democracy checked and balanced
o Virtuous people adopt balance of government
o Public Square
o Education, penitentiaries
o
o Avoid debt & dependency – leads to desperation & vice
o Republican Motherhood: equality, reciprocal union of interests, women = liberty
History vs. New Order
· American exceptionalism
· Is
· Can anyone be completely free from history?
American Character: What characterizes the American?
· Individualism? Rugged Individualism?
· Frontier?
· Geographic mobility?
· Social mobility?
· Uniqueness?
· Youth? (median age in the teens)
· Agricultural?
· Ideal vs. Reality
posted by Jeffrey @ Thursday, April 06, 2006
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