Help support TMP


"Militia, Standing Armies, and the Second Amendment" Topic


5 Posts

All members in good standing are free to post here. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the posters, and have not been cleared with nor are they endorsed by The Miniatures Page.

In order to respect possible copyright issues, when quoting from a book or article, please quote no more than three paragraphs.

For more information, see the TMP FAQ.


Back to the American Revolution Message Board


Areas of Interest

18th Century

Featured Hobby News Article


Featured Link


Featured Ruleset

Pieces of Eight


Rating: gold star gold star gold star gold star gold star gold star gold star gold star gold star gold star 


Featured Profile Article


Featured Book Review


644 hits since 18 Dec 2024
©1994-2025 Bill Armintrout
Comments or corrections?

Tango01 Supporting Member of TMP18 Dec 2024 5:11 p.m. PST

"It is depressing to a historian, on the occasion of the Bicentennial, that considerable mythology should still surround so prominent an event as the American Revolution. There are two interlocking myths that bear directly on the four issues that I wish to examine: the fear of standing armies, the abuse of power by the state, the role of the militia prior to the Revolution as well as in the American victory, and the background of the adoption of the Second Amendment to the Constitution.


The first of the two myths, and probably the most dangerous and persistent, is the notion that the Revolution was the work of only a minority of the American people. Perpetuated in numerous recent books, articles, newspaper columns, and television programs such as Alistair Cooke's series "America," the notion has gained ground since it was introduced in 1902 and is based upon a letter of John Adams supposedly estimating that onethird of the Americans were for the Revolution, a third opposed it, and a third were neutral…"

More here


link


Armand

Brunanburh19 Dec 2024 12:11 a.m. PST

Interesting piece. I don't dispute the conclusions but don't agree that 'best evidence' for popular support is the jury issue. There have been instances where potential participants in juries and the like were reluctant because of the fear of reprisal and such fears did not reflect the size of the anti-state group but rather its ruthlessness.

Tango01 Supporting Member of TMP19 Dec 2024 3:54 p.m. PST

Thanks

Armand

TimePortal21 Dec 2024 6:50 p.m. PST

The 1/3 participants in the American Revolution is a long studied factor. We first studied it in several disciplines in college during the 1970s. Even under ‘Herstory' studies, it was mentioned. It was also covered under none military political science course.

Tango01 Supporting Member of TMP22 Dec 2024 3:59 p.m. PST

Thanks also…

Armand

Sorry - only verified members can post on the forums.