The Memory of ’76: The Revolution in American History

by Michael D. Hattem

The surprising history of how Americans have fought over the meaning and legacy of the Revolution for nearly two and a half centuries
 
Americans agree that their nation’s origins lie in the Revolution, but they have never agreed on what the Revolution meant. For nearly two hundred and fifty years, politicians, political parties, social movements, and ordinary Americans have constantly reimagined the Revolution to fit the times and suit their own agendas.
 
In this sweeping take on American history, Michael D. Hattem reveals how conflicts over the meaning and legacy of the Revolution—including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—have influenced the most important events and tumultuous periods in the nation’s history; how African Americans, women, and other oppressed groups have shaped the popular memory of the Revolution; and how much of our contemporary memory of the Revolution is a product of Cold War–era propaganda. Hattem argues that the memory of the Revolution has provided a “shared language” that generations of Americans have used to express their political beliefs as well as their visions of the nation’s future.
 
By exploring the Revolution’s unique role in American history as a national origin myth, The Memory of ’76 shows how remembering the nation’s founding has often done far more to divide Americans than to unite them, and how revising the past is an important and long-standing American political tradition.

Genres: History, American Revolution, American History

352 pages, Hardcover

Published July 23, 2024

About the author

Michael D. Hattem is a historian of early America specializing in the American Revolution and historical memory. He earned his PhD in History from Yale University and BA in History from the City College of New York. He has taught a wide variety of early American history and American Studies courses at Knox College and Lang College at The New School.

Reviews

[Andrew Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best book that’s been assigned in grad school by a mile

[Riq Hoelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book examines, beginning with the year 1800, how the Revolution was viewed by successive generations of Americans. In terms of the research, it is truly impressive, especially in that it manages to cover so many eras. Yet, the premise sounds better than the read turns out to be, which is mainly about how different groups have attempted to define the Revolution for their own propagandistic purposes. By the end it doesn't seem that that much has been discovered, for do not partisans grasp at anything they can in order to sway their audiences?

I was surprised at the omission of the 1976 Freedom Train. I also thought the book might have had a section on Ho Chi Minh, as he referenced the Revolution quite often. For that matter, it might have discussed the Star Wars series of movies as part of their appeal is no doubt in echo of the Revolution.

I didn't care for the wording in some places. "Lafayette bought his own ship" could simply have been "Lafayette bought a ship". The passage discussing how Reagan talked about the Revolution in hopes of swaying Democratic voters to his side probably meant it was just one of the tools he used, but as written implies it was the only one. There were a few more examples of problematic wording as well.

A bit of amusement is to be had in realizing that Jefferson transformed from a New Deal Democrat under FDR to an individual liberties Republican under Reagan in just a couple generations. I guess the moral of the story is that in Jefferson's writings one can find anything desired if one but looks hard enough.

[Thomas Mackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful story of how we use the Revolution to support our political, religious and cultural views. The memory of the American Revolution continues to divide us more than unite us, just like the original Revolution.

[Rebecca Brenner Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

well-researched, well-organized, & well-written

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly insightful telling of American history through the lens of how events and eras were shaped by the often changing memories of the revolution and the nation's foundational documents. I was fortunate to hear the author speak to my local historical society which whet my appetite to read this book. It proved to be a long read for me due to my taking an academic approach with highlighter in hand, but it was well worth the effort. It provides a unique look at U.S. history from 1800-present. Very impressive work by Dr. Hattem.

[Donald Leitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Hattem explores the tension between historical memory and factual history from the American Revolution through 250 years to current times in his book, The Memory of '76. This historical examination provides insight into the issues the United States is currently facing. Hattem's writing is engaging while being fair and balanced. The Memory of '76 is certainly a worthwhile and interesting read.

[David Grabitske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hattem explains how Americans observed their independence. There was much to learn but I found little about the effort in 1876 to collect the speeches that were supposed to have been made in every county in the nation (and its territories like Dakota). Definitely worth a read!

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

A firmly negative perspective of how Americans remember history that was not warmly received on my end in these trying times of division. Perhaps in a cheerier age I would have found it more thought-provoking.