Revisiting the American Revolution

Perhaps the most important development in the historiography of the American Revolution over the past generation has been the emergence of Atlantic history. Atlantic historians – often specialists in geographic areas outside of North America – have approached the American Revolution from a broad perspective, transforming our understanding of the broader causes and consequences of the Revolution while placing these in the context of the development of the British Empire during the 18th century. In so doing, they have helped to reintegrate the historiographies of the American Revolution and the British Empire. While Atlantic history has done much to invigorate the study of the American Revolution, it may be reaching the limits of its usefulness for historians of the Revolution. Many leading practitioners of oceanic history are moving beyond the Atlantic and argue that it is necessary to take a global approach to the study of the past. Such an approach is well suited to the study of transnational enterprises and activities like empires and trade, but less well suited for appreciating revolutionary upheaval and the emergence of nation states. This article reviews these historiographical developments. It argues that best way to retain the benefits of Atlantic history while avoiding its pitfalls is for historians of the American Revolution to adopt a comparative hemispheric perspective.