Hello,
In the third section of Gordon S. Wood's book The Radicalism of the American Revolution a chapter titled "The Assault on Aristocracy" explores a re-occurring theme in Wood's work. This theme is the erosion of aristocratic authority in America and the start of a strong middle class. The quote "With the weakening and disappearance of older forms of patronage, with the expansion of commerce and the fluctuating redistribution's of wealth, with the spread of paper money and the widening commercial opportunities for plain and "middling" men everywhere, the gentry's position in northern society became more and more anachronistic." is an indication that the author believes in a weakening aristocracy and an emerging of a middle class American society. "The Assault on Aristocracy" in eighteenth century America would certainly have a long lasting historical impact.
Thanks
When I was reading The Radicalism of the American Revolution It seemed that the "middling" class was looked down upon. Wood claimed the founding fathers would be aghast at the way the country has become so money conscious. But, wasn't the revolution fought over being taxed? Were the basic ideals of our "democracy" based on capitalism? If so, then how could the US not be regarded as successful by our forefathers? I meant to bring this up in class, but I didn't get a chance.
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