5 Things I learned from "Rethinking the Revolution" By John E. Ferling
1.) Through beginning to read this article I found it interesting that during the war for independence and after its conclusion, major historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin and George Washington took to setting their alibi against the future so that that would be remembered as smart and refined individuals. Following this, comparing to the new knowledge that we have talked about in class about how George Washington was very late to switch sides and fight against the British I find it funny that history stands him up on a pedestal and proclaims he is a "veritable Moses" as Parson Weems stated.
2.) As I begin to learn new things about the revolutionary war in our class I find it more and more interesting the point Ferling makes about the disparity between people's impression of the civil war and the war for independence. I believe this disparity has some part to do with the fact that rallying to say that the American's in the late 1700's were fighting against the oppressive British in much easier to root for when faced with the opposite choice, to rally behind a war in which these same Americans turned on each other and there was mass slaughter. The math of the revolutionary war that is presented also intrigued me as the death rate for serving in the continental army was higher than serving for either side during the civil war.
3.) The question the author asks time and time again throughout this piece is why the american revolution is thought of in this great light? It is a very valid question. I had never before stopped to think that through all my schooling, the school system plants a subconscious bias in your brain about this war. About how it was the underdog rough rag tag Americans vs the Pristine oppressive and cruel British. But through this article it is clear this black and white picture is maybe more gray than anything else. I learned that through history there has been this undercover propaganda that highlights only what we want to remember about the war: the signing of the declaration of independence, the British surrender at Yorktown or the persistent courage of the Continental army.
4.) I also must say that I am shocked to learn much more information about George Washington this year. While coming up on high school I realized that there must be more to this man than I was being taught but it never occurred to me that George Washington is histories Santa Claus. Being since I have been told how George Washington was our best president to date or that he was the most strategic and brave leader than lead us to freedom I find it funny when the article says that he did not once mention a battle of the revolution nor ask congress to commemorate a date in honor for any significant part of the war. Furthermore, George Washington did not utter any famous words of advice in his addresses or letters to congress meanwhile Abraham Lincoln spoke about a house divided cannot stand and remembering the fallen soldiers that gave their lives for the longevity of the union. Interesting.
5.) Finally, one of the continuations to the question mentioned in response 3, I realize that the hindrance of military technology during the revolutionary war was a large contributor to why it was so bloody and awful. Nowadays to end an enemies life it is an easy an pressing a button on a different continent and watching a drone strike or missile go crashing into enemy territory. However, I realize now how deadly the war for Independence must have been because the muskets were not very accurate so close range fighting was inevitable and as the article describes sometimes ended in all out bayonet charges. Even the 78 years between the American revolution and the Civil war was enough for military weapons to improve so that it wasn't just two armies standing face to face and shooting at each other. This factor made me see the American revolution as much more brutal as I read the accounts of the soldiers recalling what life in such a close combat environment was like.
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