Becoming America: The Revolution Before 1776 Fr... -

Forget the image of the simple, self-sufficient pioneer. Butler reveals a colonial economy that was aggressive, profit-driven, and tied to international markets.

The "Hidden" Revolution: How America Became Modern Before 1776

When we think of the American Revolution, we usually think of 1776—muskets, tea parties, and the Declaration of Independence. But according to historian Jon Butler in his book , the real revolution started nearly a century earlier. Becoming America: The Revolution before 1776 fr...

Colonists imported European and Asian goods—from silver communion plates to velvet seat cushions—to define their social status.

By the mid-1700s, the colonies were home to an incredible variety of spiritual beliefs. While religious "modern revivals" signaled a renewed commitment to faith, they also grew out of a pluralistic environment where no single church held total authority. However, Butler reminds us that this emerging tolerance had a dark side: it rarely extended to the Native American or African populations, whose own spiritual traditions were often suppressed or decimated. 4. Politics Beyond the Town Hall Forget the image of the simple, self-sufficient pioneer

This era saw a shift toward the materialistic and commercial values that remain central to American life. 3. Religious Pluralism (With a Catch)

The takeaway from is that the 1776 Revolution was possible only because the society was already "American" in every way but name. The colonies had already embraced diversity, global trade, and complex politics—the very traits we still debate today. But according to historian Jon Butler in his

The following blog post explores the themes of Jon Butler's book, .