We often hear about New England town meetings, but Butler argues that real political power moved to the provincial level. Colonists became "politically self-conscious" and power-hungry, building complex political institutions that were far more participatory than those in Europe. They weren't just reacting to British taxes; they were practicing the art of self-governance for decades. Why It Matters
The following blog post explores the themes of Jon Butler's book, . Becoming America: The Revolution before 1776 fr...
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. We often hear about New England town meetings,