Worlds Turned Upside Down Episode 11: The Resistance
Oct 22, 2024
Wendy Bellion, an American art historian and professor, sheds light on Liberty Poles' significance in colonial America as symbols of resistance. Shira Lurie, an assistant professor of American history, explains how colonial theories of resistance shaped notions of liberty and protest. Their discussion reveals how celebrations after the Stamp Act’s repeal led to tensions in New York City, culminating in confrontations between the Sons of Liberty and British soldiers, showcasing the complex dynamics of emerging American identity.
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Euphoria Masks Constitutional Conflict
- The Stamp Act's repeal sparked widespread colonial euphoria but also revealed deeper constitutional tensions about Parliament's authority.
- Colonists celebrated liberty while largely ignoring the Declaratory Act that asserted Parliament's power over them.
Resistance As A Constitutional Check
- Colonists believed in a theory of resistance that allowed communities to challenge unjust authority as a political check.
- Many saw protest not as rebellion but as a legitimate part of constitutional governance.
New York's Urban Fabric Enabled Mobilization
- 18th-century New York was dense, multicultural, and oriented to maritime commerce with taverns as hubs of public life.
- Its shape and institutions made it fertile ground for rapid political mobilization and news circulation.