Wood says “Many of the planters were living on the edge of
bankruptcy, seriously overextended and spending beyond their means in an almost
frantic effort to live up to the aristocratic image they had created of
themselves.”
So, I'm sensing a conflict here. did republicanism call for
a rejection of luxury or for an ostentatious life that showed freedom from the
market?
Kevin: are you are asking whether either austerity or ostentatiousness were results of republicanism? I see Wood's quote more as a reflection of attitudes of newfound, undisciplined economic freedom and easy credit in an unstable economy - both of which could be understood as made possible by a republicanism. But I think that perhaps there could have existed plantation owners under republicanism who were more frugal in their financial affairs that others. But, not sure.
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