Dickinson, Ed., Britian And The American Revolution

Abstract

The summer of2000 saw yet another movie reduce the American Revolution to a cliched battle between virtuous Patriots and wicked Englishmen. As a Briton who teaches early American history, I have always approached the subject of the Revolution dressed in combat gear of my own. I carefully elaborate on the complexities of the imperial crisis and war, while my students listen politely, even sympathetically. They then tell me in their exams how "we" beat the evil Brits who were oppressing "our" freedoms.