Introduction: Freeman's Top Five Tips for Studying the Revolution
Class of 1954 Professor of History and American Studies
Professor Freeman introduces the historiographic methods for studying the American Revolution, emphasizing critical engagement with primary texts, the evolving semantics of political concepts, and the significance of diverse historical actors beyond the Founding Fathers.
The American Revolution (HIST 116)
Professor Freeman offers an introduction to the course, summarizing the readings and discussing the course's main goals. She also offers five tips for studying the Revolution: 1) Avoid thinking about the Revolution as a story about facts and dates; 2) Remember that words we take for granted today, like "democracy," had very different meanings; 3) Think of the "Founders" as real people rather than mythic historic figures; 4) Remember that the "Founders" aren't the only people who count in the Revolution; 5) Remember the importance of historical contingency: that anything could have happened during the Revolution.