Abstract
The wars of independence fought against Britain two centuries ago were elements in a complex, global cultural system that was undergoing rapid change. Here, we regard this cultural change from an archaeological standpoint. Archaeology contributes to the understanding of history by using as means of access to the past both text and material, the latter of these being unique to archaeology. In this chapter and in those to follow we examine material remains associated with those conflicts through the lens of anthropology. This approach leads one ultimately to regard the establishment of independence and sovereignty by what had been the New World colonies as more than a conflict between countries, but as one that occurred among classes, emerging industries, and corporations. Further, all of these changes were enmeshed in the rise of an ideology that linked the legitimacy of rule not to the divine right of royalty, but to organizations that would ensure the ability of a greater percentage of populations to protection by law from the caprice of monarchs.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
American Anthropological Association. (2012). http://www.aaanet.org/press/an/infocus/engagedanth/arc_engaged_anth.htm.Accessed 27 July 2012.
Axelrod, R., & Keohane, R. (1985). Achieving cooperation under anarchy: Strategies and institutions. World Politics, 38(1), 226–254.
Bobbitt, P. (2002). The shield of Achilles. New York: Knopf.
Chernow, R. (2004). Alexander Hamilton. New York: Penguin Press.
Ferguson, N. (2008). The ascent of money. London: Penguin Books.
Geertz, C. (1973a). Religion as a cultural system. In M. Banton (Ed.), The interpretation of cultures (pp. 87–125). New York: Basic Books.
Geertz, C. (1973b). Thick description: Toward an interpretive theory of culture. In M. Banton (Ed.), The interpretation of cultures (pp. 3–30). New York: Basic Books.
Hopkirk, P. (1990). The great game: on secret service in high Asia. London: John Murray (Publishers) Ltd.
Keohane, R. O., & Nye, J. S., Jr. (1987). Review: Power and interdependence revisited. International Organization, 41(4), 725–753.
Luttwak, E. (2009). The grand strategy of the Byzantine Empire. Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
Nye, J. S. (2011). The future of power. New York: PublicAffairs.
Parliamentary Debates, Vols. 28 & 29. November (1814). The George Peabody Library, The Johns Hopkins University (per research of Geoffrey Footner).
Patrick, S. (2011). Weak links: Fragile states, global threats, and international security. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Selig, R. (2009). Revolutionary war route and transportation survey in the commonwealth of Virginia, 1781–1782. Manuscript on file: Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Richmond, Virginia.
Trautwein, J. (2011). Fell’s point’s untold story.Unpublished manuscript, on file. Baltimore, MD: Fell’s Point Historical Society.
United States National Park Service. (2006). Resource study and environmental assessment for the Washington-Rochambeau revolutionary route. Washington, DC: Manuscript on file, National Park Service National Capital Regional Office.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Comer, D. (2013). The American Wars of Independence as Elements of Global Cultural and Political Change. In: The Archaeology of Interdependence. SpringerBriefs in Archaeology(), vol 1. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6028-2_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6028-2_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6027-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6028-2
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawSocial Sciences (R0)