Monday, July 14, 2008 at 4:04pm
What the American Revolution means to me
Column: PERFECTBALANCELIFE
Last week I posed a series of questions about the American Revolution, based on research done by Bernard Baylin, is his book, "The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution". Below are some answers to these questions, as addressed in Baylin's book, and also my thoughts on the meaning of this revolution.
1. What was the most popular form of publication effectively used to spread the Revolutionary ideas?
ANS: the phamplet.
2. What were the three main problems the Revolutionary thinkers grappled with?
ANS: 1. Representation and consent. 2. Constitution and rights. 3. Sovereignty (the nature and location of the ultimate power of the state).
3. The publication of what pamphlet sparked a heated debate in colonies concerning the English monarchy?
ANS: "Common Sense".
4. What quarters in society did the explosion of Revolutionary defiance to constitutional authority most loudly cry out from?
ANS: Religious dissent.
5. In the decade before the Revolutionary War the universal cry to disobey "what" was heard over and over again in the colonies (hint, 3 words)?
ANS: Legally constituted authority.
6. Applying the analogy of the family structure into politics, what argument was made by some colonists for the necessity to not rebel against England?
ANS: England is the Mother. American colonies are the children. Children are not allowed to rebel against their parents.
7. Concerning rights, what did Revolutionary thought have to say about birth rights?
ANS: No on shall be afforded preferential treatment based on birth.
8. Concerning power and liberty, what view of the world did the Revolutionary thought hold regarding how other nations were behaving?
ANS: Most nations ruled by despotic leaders. Little liberty or freedom for individuals living in such nations.
9. By 1776 what conceptualization of American life was being articulated in Revolutionary thought?
ANS: America occupies a special place in history. America has a divine mandate to fulfill. This mandate is that of completing the human aspiration for happiness and universal brotherhood for all peoples.
The American Revolution, to me, is an evolutionary expression of our human and innate desire to live in ONENESS with God.
Sincerely
Jack
Jack LaValley is a practitioner of the martial arts, physical cultivation exercises, and sitting meditation. Although currently working in the hospitality industry, he spends much of his free time helping and working together with those who are pursuing the spiritual path. Jack and his wife, Wha-ja Oh-LaValley, a native of South Korea, reside in Westchester County, New York, and are the proud parents of three beautiful children. Jack is completing his book manuscript, "A Perfectly Balanced Life: Living Each Day with Wisdom and Strength," and expects publication to be in October 2008. You can reach Jack at: perfectbalance1@optimum.net © Copyright 2008 by Jack LaValley.
1. What was the most popular form of publication effectively used to spread the Revolutionary ideas?
ANS: the phamplet.
2. What were the three main problems the Revolutionary thinkers grappled with?
ANS: 1. Representation and consent. 2. Constitution and rights. 3. Sovereignty (the nature and location of the ultimate power of the state).
3. The publication of what pamphlet sparked a heated debate in colonies concerning the English monarchy?
ANS: "Common Sense".
4. What quarters in society did the explosion of Revolutionary defiance to constitutional authority most loudly cry out from?
ANS: Religious dissent.
5. In the decade before the Revolutionary War the universal cry to disobey "what" was heard over and over again in the colonies (hint, 3 words)?
ANS: Legally constituted authority.
6. Applying the analogy of the family structure into politics, what argument was made by some colonists for the necessity to not rebel against England?
ANS: England is the Mother. American colonies are the children. Children are not allowed to rebel against their parents.
7. Concerning rights, what did Revolutionary thought have to say about birth rights?
ANS: No on shall be afforded preferential treatment based on birth.
8. Concerning power and liberty, what view of the world did the Revolutionary thought hold regarding how other nations were behaving?
ANS: Most nations ruled by despotic leaders. Little liberty or freedom for individuals living in such nations.
9. By 1776 what conceptualization of American life was being articulated in Revolutionary thought?
ANS: America occupies a special place in history. America has a divine mandate to fulfill. This mandate is that of completing the human aspiration for happiness and universal brotherhood for all peoples.
The American Revolution, to me, is an evolutionary expression of our human and innate desire to live in ONENESS with God.
Sincerely
Jack
Jack LaValley is a practitioner of the martial arts, physical cultivation exercises, and sitting meditation. Although currently working in the hospitality industry, he spends much of his free time helping and working together with those who are pursuing the spiritual path. Jack and his wife, Wha-ja Oh-LaValley, a native of South Korea, reside in Westchester County, New York, and are the proud parents of three beautiful children. Jack is completing his book manuscript, "A Perfectly Balanced Life: Living Each Day with Wisdom and Strength," and expects publication to be in October 2008. You can reach Jack at: perfectbalance1@optimum.net © Copyright 2008 by Jack LaValley.