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Summary Gerald Horne The Counter Revolution Of 1776

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Title: Revisiting History: The Counter-Revolution of 1776 and Its Impact on African Slavery. Historian Gerald Horne's seminal work, "The Counter-Revolution of 1776: Slave Resistance and the Origins of the United States of America," presents a provocative reevaluation of the narrative surrounding the founding of the United States. Horne challenges the traditional perspective, which often portrays the American Revolution as a heroic struggle for freedom and democracy, by shedding light on the darker aspects of this pivotal moment in history. In his analysis, Horne emphasizes the role of African slaves in igniting the rebellion that led to the birth of the nation, arguing that the Revolution ultimately reinforced the institution of slavery rather than dismantling it. Horne's thesis posits that the American Revolution was not solely a battle against British tyranny but also a reactionary movement aimed at preserving the institution of slavery. He traces the roots of this counter-revolutionary sentiment to events preceding the American Revolution, notably the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which solidified the power of British colonial elites and laid the groundwork for the expansion of slavery in the American colonies. Horne contends that the economic interests of slaveholders played a central role in fomenting discontent and rebellion …show more content…

Horne highlights instances of slave resistance, rebellion, and collaboration with British forces as evidence of African agency and strategic engagement with the revolutionary upheaval. He argues that the rhetoric of liberty and equality espoused by the patriots rang hollow for enslaved Africans, who recognized the contradiction between the revolutionary ideals and the reality of their

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