Skip to main content

7. The Beginnings of Revolutionary Thinking

The Enlightenment and the Great Awakening, the Zenger trial, the habit of smuggling, an older tradition of rebellion, and the question of what an American was.

7. The Beginnings of Revolutionary Thinking

Revolutions often fail. The French Revolution culminated in the leadership of Napoleon, a ruthless emperor who tried to conquer Europe. The Russian Revolution…

7a. The Impact of Enlightenment in Europe

BlakeBlake's representation of Newton. The Age of Reason, as it was called, was spreading rapidly across Europe. In the late 17th century, scientists like Isaa…

7b. The Great Awakening

At age six, John Wesley was rescued from a burning room in his father's rectory, depicted here in this 19th century engraving. The dramatic incident caused him…

7c. The Trial of John Peter Zenger

John Peter Zenger became a symbol for the freedom of the press in the young American colonies. Seen above is a printing of the trial proceedings. No democracy…

7d. Smuggling

Walter William May, 1883Rhode Island Colonists led by John Brown burn the British revenue cutter Gaspee The British had an empire to run. The prevailing econom…

7e. A Tradition of Rebellion

The Gadsden Flag was an early American flag that originated in South Carolina before the Revolution. The American colonies had known violent rebellion long bef…

7f. "What Is the American?"

KTCA-TVAdventurous men of diverse ethnic backgrounds who pushed the western boundaries of the colonies, created uniquely American roles. One such role is the F…