A Constitutional Culture

Adrian Chastain Weimer's A Constitutional Culture explores how early colonists resisted arbitrary rule and established a strong foundation for self-governance amid royal pressures.

In A Constitutional Culture, Adrian Chastain Weimer reveals the compelling narrative of how colonists, long before the American Revolution, dedicated themselves to protecting local political institutions from arbitrary governance. Following the restoration of Charles II to the English throne in 1660, the Puritan-led colonies faced significant challenges as the king imposed demands that threatened their autonomy. He sought to alter voting practices, baptismal policies, and local laws while eyeing valuable resources, such as forests, for the English navy’s needs. To enforce his will, Charles dispatched royal commissioners, ostensibly heading for New Netherland but easily redirected to Boston, forcing colonists to confront a critical decision regarding their governance.

The response from the colonists was not limited to freemen; it included those often marginalized, such as non-freemen, indentured servants, and women. Together, they developed a vibrant constitutional culture that resisted the crown’s authority. This culture was marked by skepticism towards metropolitan ambitions, a commitment to civil and religious liberties, and a belief in self-government as a divine right. Weimer illustrates how these communities articulated their constitutional ideals through practices like fast days, public debates, committee work, and petitions, showcasing their readiness to challenge arbitrary rule.

Ultimately, A Constitutional Culture highlights how New Englanders forged a resilient framework for self-governance, equipped with a critical vocabulary for dissent and a collective understanding of divided sovereignty. This constitutional culture proved to be a formidable barrier against an imperial authority determined to centralize power, laying the groundwork for future democratic principles in America.