Gross takes a novel approach to organizing and writing The Minutemen and Their World (Hill and Wang, New York 1976), focusing on the Concordian lives, social patterns, and internal conflicts to explain the town's involvement and response to the Revolution.
The reader gains a better understanding of the human element involved in the Revolutionary war, as well as and understanding of why Americans reacted as they did to the imperial powers.
While giving this insight, Gross illustrates numerous different aspects of colonial life, informing the reader about such things as political and economic structure, as well as religious conflicts during the "Great Awakening." Gross hypothesizes that "local contentions had no relation to the colonial dispute with Britain."
Concord Before the Revolution
Gross begins with a detailed account of the government and social structure in Concord, which is critical to gaining an insight into the reaction of the townspeople to British reforms. Until 1774, Concordians were more concerned with local issues than colonial issues, splitting the town by political, social and religious differences.
The town claimed authority over everything that occurred within its borders, with no issue being exempt. This deep government involvement resulted in political conflict.
This was also the time of the "Great Awakening", a spiritual revival that attracted many people back to the church. The "Awakening" brought forth many new, mostly young, members. Gross states that these conditions brought about "a divided town that was rapidly losing its moral center," and would ultimately greatly influence the town's response to the revolution. When the colonial conflict first came before Concord in 1765, "sectional rivalry was a fixture of Concord's political life."
Concord During the Revolution
Gross cites many factors leading up to the revolution:
- The Sugar Act of 1764
- The Stamp Act of 1765
- The Tea Act (which culminated in the Boston Tea Part of 1763)
- The Declaratory Act of 1766
Most of these Acts were imposed in order to pay for the British financial loss in the Seven Years War.
Concordians did not favor the reforms, but were not prepared to radically change their politics so suddenly.
By the middle of 1774, they had transcended "their constitutional opposition to British policies...[and] marched with single-minded militancy into the front ranks of the Revolution."
It was shortly after this time that the Minutemen were born: a force made up of "citizen-soldiers", designed to alert the country to British approach.
It was the Revolution that united Concord. Political, religious, and social divisions were pushed aside in favor of the larger goal of protecting constitutional rights and a traditional way of life from colonial control.
Concord After the Revolution
By the 1790's, Concord was once again a booming town. Because of the outbreak of war in Europe, the neutral Americans were able to export goods to the world. New merchants moved into town, and new industries sprang up, though the economy was still based on agriculture.
Concord underwent a drive for improvement; modern farming techniques were used, social groups were set up to enrich the lives of the town's residents. The old social structure was gradually replaced with a new "livelier, more diverse social life." But, Gross argues, the community "lost a certain moral unity." The political system of Concord felt the greatest impact of the Revolution.
At the beginning of the war, men had not fought to promote reform, but to stop it. Those who had fought in the Revolution were exposed to new ideas. Concord became increasingly tied to Boston and Cambridge, more attention was given to political activities outside of the town. The principle behind democracy was born as elected representatives were no longer being looked upon "as 'fathers' but as hired agents of the people."
Overview of The Minutemen and Their World
The picture that Gross paints in The Minutemen and Their World, is one of a town that was hesitant to rebel. However, when townspeople felt that the framework of their society was being threatened, they rebelled, though reluctantly.
There were not just a few important figures in the Revolution, most members of the town of Concord played an important role in the action. The Minutemen themselves played perhaps the most important role: that of soldier.
What began as a fight for independence ended in victory, but also fundamentally changed the social and political structure of colonial America. The Minutemen and Their World is an excellent resource for anyone wishing to learn about the American Revolution and those who fought in it.
Gross has presented the information in a clear and concise way, leaving the reader with a better understanding of the Revolution as well as the social and economic factors that shaped Concord from its establishment to "the age of progress" in the nineteenth century.
Andrew Meeres - Andrew is an aspiring freelance writer. He has a Bachelor's degree in Biology with a History minor. He is currently a landscape foreman ...
