Yep. You read that title correctly. Now, before you think I must have flunked history and that I am a terrible American, let me explain that statement.
According to one of my professors, many historians label the Revolutionary war as a civil war rather than merely a war for independence. If you think about how the colonies were split between loyalists and revolutionaries, this statement makes a lot of sense. You had brothers fighting brothers, people snitching on their neighbors, and the identities of the armies were quite fuzzy.
However, history is a set of national narrations built to support agendas. For Americans, it sounds better to say we were simply fighting the British for independence and won in a glorious cinderella story. In England, the Revolutionary War is presented differently; they let the Americans win because they were more concerned with France at the time. And you remember the war of 1812? I know I don't. To Americans, that war is largely gleaned over, mainly known for giving us the Star Spangled Banner. To the Canadians it is "That war where we beat the Americans back. CA-NA-DA!!!"
It's really easy to get caught in our own narrative of our history, but I think it is definitely worth considering other view points. The truth is somewhere in the middle. Just don't consider about it while lighting fireworks--you might lose a few fingers.
And just for fun:
According to one of my professors, many historians label the Revolutionary war as a civil war rather than merely a war for independence. If you think about how the colonies were split between loyalists and revolutionaries, this statement makes a lot of sense. You had brothers fighting brothers, people snitching on their neighbors, and the identities of the armies were quite fuzzy.
However, history is a set of national narrations built to support agendas. For Americans, it sounds better to say we were simply fighting the British for independence and won in a glorious cinderella story. In England, the Revolutionary War is presented differently; they let the Americans win because they were more concerned with France at the time. And you remember the war of 1812? I know I don't. To Americans, that war is largely gleaned over, mainly known for giving us the Star Spangled Banner. To the Canadians it is "That war where we beat the Americans back. CA-NA-DA!!!"
It's really easy to get caught in our own narrative of our history, but I think it is definitely worth considering other view points. The truth is somewhere in the middle. Just don't consider about it while lighting fireworks--you might lose a few fingers.
And just for fun:
P.S. I am not denigrating the sacrifices made during the Revolutionary War. They were very brave men worthy of their place in history. Just giving you an expanded point of view.
Lots of Love,
Rachel
Lots of Love,
Rachel
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