Classical Influences on the American Revolutionary War: A Long Tail Exploration

The American Revolutionary War was a complex and multifaceted conflict. A number of factors contributed to the outbreak of war, including economic, political, and social tensions. However, one often overlooked factor that played a role in the war was the influence of classical thought.

Citizen Army: Classical Influences on the American Revolutionary War

by Charles R. King

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	516 KB
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The American colonists were deeply steeped in the classics. They studied Greek and Roman history, literature, and philosophy. This education had a profound impact on their worldview. The colonists saw themselves as heirs to the Greek and Roman traditions of liberty and self-government. They believed that they had a right to govern themselves and that they should not be subject to the rule of a distant monarch.

The classical tradition also influenced the way that the colonists thought about war. They believed that war was a necessary evil, but that it should be conducted according to certain rules. They believed that war should be fought for just causes and that it should be conducted with honor and restraint. These beliefs shaped the way that the colonists fought the Revolutionary War.

There are a number of specific examples of how classical thought influenced the American Revolutionary War. For example, the Declaration of Independence was heavily influenced by the writings of the Greek philosopher Aristotle. Aristotle argued that all men are born with certain natural rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property. These ideas were reflected in the Declaration of Independence, which states that all men are created equal and that they have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Another example of the influence of classical thought on the Revolutionary War can be seen in the way that the colonists organized their government. The colonists created a system of government that was based on the principles of classical democracy. This system of government was designed to protect the rights of the people and to ensure that the government was responsive to the needs of the people.

The classical tradition had a profound impact on the American Revolutionary War. The colonists' education in the classics helped to shape their worldview and their beliefs about government and war. These beliefs played a key role in the outbreak of the war and in the way that the war was fought.

Long Tail Keywords

* Classical influences on the American Revolution * Greek and Roman influences on the American Revolution * Aristotle's influence on the Declaration of Independence * Classical democracy and the American Revolution * The role of the classics in shaping American political thought

Alt Attributes

* **Image of the Declaration of Independence:** A parchment document with the text of the Declaration of Independence written in ink. * **Image of George Washington:** A portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States. * **Image of the Boston Tea Party:** A group of colonists dumping tea into Boston Harbor in protest of British taxes. * **Image of the Battle of Saratoga:** A battle between American and British forces that was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. * **Image of the Treaty of Paris:** A document that ended the Revolutionary War and recognized the independence of the United States.

Citizen Army: Classical Influences on the American Revolutionary War

by Charles R. King

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	516 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	17 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE