MO1: Identify and evaluate the social and intellectual trends in late eighteenth century America that helped lead toward revolution. (CO1) Many different influences contributed to the colonists’ way of thinking. They were British colonists and had inherited British assumptions about liberty, but they were also influenced by Republicanism, Enlightenment thinking, and the Great Awakening that was sweeping through the colonies. Begin by reading the Module Notes Presentation (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. , Chapters 3 and 5 of Wood, then watch Chapters 4-7 of Joanne Freeman’s lecture The Logic of Resistance (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. . As you review the sources, consider all of the questions below. Then choose ONE of the bullets below to address thoroughly (or choose a THOUGHTFUL topic of your own) in an initial post of at least 250 words. You should use specific examples from the assigned readings in your post: How did republicanism reorder society and put the cohesion of a country on a different basis than monarchism? How did being a colonist differ from being a British subject at home in England? How did it affect their views of themselves and the mother country? Would you describe American republicanism as idealistic and impractical or a viable political theory? What does virtue mean in the context of republicanism? How did independence and property fit into it?
