England in the Age of the American Revolution

England in the Age of the American Revolution was written by Lewis Namier in 1930. A second edition (ISBN: 9780333055595) was published in 1961.


Primary/Secondary Source

The author conducted research on a massive set of letters and papers. Most are the correspondence of George III or Newcastle. In no particular order, the author documents:


Political Theory

The author also editorialized/philosophizes in the opening chapters.

The House of Commons was variably representative. Functioned more as a jury that provides expertise as to what the public opinion favored.

There were antecedents to political parties.

Structurally and culturally, England was predisposed towards governance with a focus on commerce and mercantilism.

At the end of the Seven Years War, debate over territorial concessions from the French seems to have been a geopolitical security issue.

Following the Seven Years War, there was interest in the American colonies to be reorganized as a state rather than a frontier. English politics were entirely focused on trade administration for the new territory.

West Indians as a scapegoat.

Author reduces the rise of the Tories to childish rivalry between the king and crown prince. Heirs are inexorably drawn to opposite politics and their enmity to their fathers blends with/bleeds into enmity to their fathers' advisors.


Reading Notes

I have never read such a spirited defense for imperialism, restricting suffrage to landowners, patriarchy, etc. I think it's for the best that Namier is long dead, I would struggle to accept such a person as a contemporary.


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EnglandInTheAgeOfTheAmericanRevolution (last edited 2025-03-20 12:28:55 by DominicRicottone)