audiobook Becoming America: The Revolution before 1776 by Jon Butler in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good readBy The HistorianJon Butler's book; Becoming America; covers a period in American history largely ignored by historians. According to Butler; an important transformation took place between 1680 and 1770; sweeping the nation towards modernity. Butler claims that the "American" colonies become distinctly modern during this time period. This modern society is characterized by five things; the people; the economy; the politics; things material; and things spiritual. In his own words; Butler traces these social; economic; political; and cultural changes and explains how he thinks this defines a modern society.The first of Butlers claims is that the social diversity of the colonies make them modern. The colonies are ethnically and nationally diverse rather than homogeneous when compared to Europe or colonies of France or Spain. He points to four immigrating groups; the Huguenots; Scots; Jews; and Germans; as the types of immigrants who came willingly to the colonies between 1680 and 1770. Through the first chapter; Butler walks us through each immigrant groups assimilation into American society; from the quickly assimilated Huguenots to the large quantities of Germans. Butler also works in the changes in labor during this period; with the dramatic increase in slaves anJon Butler's book; Becoming America; covers a period in American history largely ignored by historians. According to Butler; an important transformation took place between 1680 and 1770; sweeping the nation towards modernity. Butler claims that the "American" colonies become distinctly modern during this time period. This modern society is characterized by five things; the people; the economy; the politics; things material; and things spiritual. In his own words; Butler traces these social; economic; political; and cultural changes and explains how he thinks this defines a modern society.d decrease in indentured servants after 1680. Butler claims that this diversity moves the colonies into modernity.Next; Butler details the changes in the economy of the colonies between 1680 and 1770; and points to why he thinks these changes made it a modern society. The first changes Butler talks about is the change in agriculture. Farming became more commercial after 1680; with farmers paying attention to "markets." Farmers no longer only produced for local consumption; but for a larger market; mainly Europe. Producing more product meant a need for more labor (slave) and for more land (Indian land). Another change in the economy after 1680 that Butler points out was the enormous increase in the number of merchants. Merchants sold a wide variety of goods throughout the colonies in rural areas and in cities. Artisans and craftsmen became common in the colonies where they were scarce before. These artisans and craftsmen produced large amounts of a wide variety of goods; and many more goods were imported from Europe. Butler also points out things that did not change economically. Wealth belonged to men; not women; and the poor were still poor.In chapter three; Butler tackles the complexity of colonial politics. He states that only in New England and in a few other middle colonies are local officials elected by voters; and outside these areas; officials were appointed. Despite different ways of appointment; local governments functions similarly. According to Butler; after 1680 changes swept through the colonial political arena that led to a more modern state. Major changes to the court system took place after 1680. Courts offered new placed to conduct politics; and offered settlements of disputed through lawsuits. Courts became the center stage of local politics. There as a dramatic increase in the number of lawsuits. Politics also became more professional; as lawyers received professional training in law. They replaced the "amateur" lawyers that handled legal work during the sixteenth century. Another political aspect that Butler points out as modern is the organization of local political interest groups. These political parties had the power to transform local politics. An example would be the Quaker party in Pennsylvania. The Quaker party was very active in Pennsylvania politics; fielding candidates; securing votes; and providing leadership. Other colonies also organized political groups; that according to Butler; move them towards modernity.Modernity is also seen; according to Butler; in the material positions of the colonists after 1680. First he notes that some of these changes seem contradictory to modernity; as colonists imported "Old World" (p. 133) objects from Europe such as cloth; dishes; silverware; and furniture; but he then notes that industry in the colonies also flourished with their own goods going out to consumers throughout the colonies. Another modern aspect noted of the colonies was what they ate. The colonists diet as typically healthier than their English counterpart; this due to the amount of land and meat available. Along with a modern diet; colonists clothing also became more modern. Cloth imports from Europe increased; as did the domestic production with the rise spinning wheels and looms. Along with what they ate and wore; their housing and furnishings are argued to have been more modern. After 1680 housing expanded dramatically in size and sophistication. Wealthy colonists built mansions; larger than any constructed in the seventeenth century. Butler also notes that the increasing amounts of material goods seen in households indicates a more modern society. Colonists had increased amounts of clothing; household goods; paintings; clock; and furniture. Furniture; according to Butler; represented a huge step towards modernity; with colonial furniture makers producing pieces of equal or better quality than that produced in London; London being the epitome of modern during the eighteenth century.Lastly; Butler explains how the colonies become modern spiritually. According to Butler; the religious pluralism that was created between 1680 and 1770 is the identifying aspect of modern American culture. After 1680 the increase of different denomination was very different than the previous government-supported Christianity. There was an explosion of different denomination including Quakers; Presbyterians; Baptists; German Lutherans; Catholics; Jews; and others. Churches began to pop up everywhere. The churches even exuded Butler's ideas of a modern society with their hand carved pews; velvet seat cushions; and silver communion plates. Between 1680 and the mid-eighteenth there were also what Butler refers to as "modern revivals." These revivals signified "new birth" and a renewed commitment to Christ. According to Butler; theses revivals stemmed form cultural diversity; thus making them modern.Butler walks us though the diverse mix of people in the colonies; the economic developments; the emerging politics; the material goods; and the unprecedented religious pluralism that he claims identifies modern society. He then concludes with a chapter on 1776; arguing that the American Revolution can be called the first modern revolution; that the transformation into a modern society influenced the revolution; but did not cause it. Was this a modern society? I'm not sure if I completely agree with his idea. This was a society who considered themselves British; and who despite attempts to be more like the British; were becoming distinctly different. Butler provides a good argument that they are becoming modern; and American. I enjoyed reading this book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Allan Campbella great book on the society before the Revolution2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. BoringBy ✈Read this for my AP US History class. Description of American history is a bit dull; but still provides great information about the era.