Tracts of the American Revolution, 1763-1776

American Heritage Series #35

by Merrill Jensen (Editor)

This volume brings together seventeen of the most important pamphlets produced by the American colonies as they opposed British measures and policies after 1763, and as they disputed the issue of independence with one another between 1774 and 1776. The most famous pamphleteers--James Otis, John Dickinson, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine--are here; so too are lesser-known ones. Students of American history and political thought will find in these tracts rich evidence of the colonists' grievances against Britain, their methods of persuasion, and the development of political thought that led to the Declaration of Independence. A student-oriented introduction presents a capsule history of the events of the period and an analysis of the context of each tract.

Genres: American Revolution, History

498 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Merrill Monroe Jensen was an American historian whose research and writing focused on the ratification of the United States Constitution. His historical interpretations are generally considered to be of the "Progressive School" of American history, the most famous exponent of which was Charles A. Beard. Jensen served as a professor of history at both the University of Washington (1935–1944), where he was editor of Pacific Northwest Quarterly, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison (1944–1976).

Reviews

[Lisa K]

Checked this out because I felt the need to read Common Sense. Dipped into the reply to it, "Plain Truth," but found the style annoying. Also trying to read the Jefferson piece.

Common Sense is the one where Thomas Paine argues that it is sensible for America -- as a continental entity with ample resources and [white] civic youthfulness -- to strike out own its own and reject England. He also expounds upon a preferred form of representative government and argues that a new nation should of course reject the degradation of a monarchy. I was particularly struck by Paine's attention to the question of where this line of kings came from in the first place: likely descended from "the principal ruffian of some restless gang" which took over this land (p 414).

In contrast to amenable and articulate arguments for a new "Continental form of government" (p 430) stands Paine's understanding of equality and liberty which are so different than mine. For instance, Paine calls King George an "enemy to liberty" (p 428), yet we know that the colonies included slave-owners, minimal rights for the continent's natives, and women with no rights.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for american revolution class