Anglicizing America

This book explores the theory of Anglicization and its impact on American identity and history during the revolutionary period and beyond.

In Anglicizing America, the author reexamines the theory of Anglicization and its significance in shaping the lives and histories across the Atlantic world. This exploration spans from Britain to the Caribbean and the western frontiers, focusing on pivotal moments before, during, and after the American Revolution. The text argues that the thirteen colonies, despite their diverse settler backgrounds, increasingly mirrored British political, judicial, and cultural systems as they approached their War of Independence.

The essays within Anglicizing America delve into how these colonies forged a shared cultural identity, which ultimately united them during the revolutionary period. Contributing historians analyze various dimensions of this process, including the interplay between global forces and local economies, and how these elements contributed to a more centralized social movement. Topics discussed include the impact of English labor ideologies on plantation slavery, the influence of British imperial ambitions on American militarization, and the role of religious tolerance in fostering political unity.

Moreover, the book examines the evolving relationship between Americans and Great Britain post-revolution, shedding light on its implications for early American naval and taxation policies. Collectively, Anglicizing America provides a nuanced framework for understanding the complex dynamics at play in the western hemisphere during an era marked by revolutions.