Ben Franklin's World BFW Revisited: The Common Cause
Jan 20, 2026
Robert Parkinson, an Assistant Professor of History at Binghamton University and author of *The Common Cause*, dives into how Revolutionary leaders united thirteen diverse colonies into a shared identity. He discusses the evolution of the 'Common Cause,' emphasizing how early propaganda shifted from positive to fear-based wartime messaging. Parkinson reveals the role of newspapers in spreading these narratives, often leaning on race and exclusion, and assesses their long-term impact on American perceptions of race and national identity.
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Two Phases Of The Common Cause
- The "Common Cause" was a cultivated appeal that first framed resistance as heroic civic duty from 1764–1774.
- When war began, the appeal shifted into a darker unity strategy centered on fear and exclusion.
War Shifted Messaging Toward Fear
- Once shooting started, patriot messaging emphasized unity by exploiting existing prejudices about race and loyalty.
- That darker turn helped bind colonies but had lasting exclusionary consequences.
Adams Used Newspapers To Persuade Immigrants
- John Adams described a German veteran in full uniform and asked that the description be printed anonymously to persuade German-Americans.
- The piece ran widely, showing patriot leaders actively shaped press content to mobilize support.
