This conference, hosted by the David Center for the American Revolution at the American Philosophical Society and the Massachusetts Historical Society, is part of a series of interdisciplinary and international meetings designed to re-examine the origins, course and consequences of the American Revolution. Meetings in 2023 mark the 260th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris that ended the Seven Years’ War and the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. This gathering is intended to examine the British empire at its moment of great triumph, in 1763, with its enemies defeated and its control spreading from India to the Mississippi; and again at 1773, with its control beginning to slip away in North America as a radical mobilization began against imperial power.

This conference, hosted by the David Center for the American Revolution at the American Philosophical Society and the Massachusetts Historical Society, is part of a series of interdisciplinary and international meetings designed to re-examine the origins, course and consequences of the American Revolution. Meetings in 2023 mark the 260th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris that ended the Seven Years’ War and the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. This gathering is intended to examine the British empire at its moment of great triumph, in 1763, with its enemies defeated and its control spreading from India to the Mississippi; and again at 1773, with its control beginning to slip away in North America as a radical mobilization began against imperial power.

The politics of the United States and its regions are founded on their political cultures. Since the nation’s founding, regional, ideological, economic, ethnic and racial issues have shaped the many political cultures ruling American society. This New England Quarterly and Massachusetts Historical Society Forum features a keynote address by Professor Sean Wilentz and a day-long consideration by eleven scholars who treat American political cultures from the nation’s founding through the emergence of “big” science and technology in New England and the United States’ post-industrial era.

The politics of the United States and its regions are founded on their political cultures. Since the nation’s founding, regional, ideological, economic, ethnic and racial issues have shaped the many political cultures ruling American society. This New England Quarterly and Massachusetts Historical Society Forum features a keynote address by Professor Sean Wilentz and a day-long consideration by eleven scholars who treat American political cultures from the nation’s founding through the emergence of “big” science and technology in New England and the United States’ post-industrial era.

K-12 educators are invited to participate in a day-long workshop led by keynote scholar Prof. Chernoh Sesay, master teachers, and MHS education staff. In the morning, scholars and K-12 educators will gather for an informal discussion that bridges themes that emerged during the conference and the content of the teacher workshop that to follow. Leveraging the expertise of both scholars and teachers, we will identify important takeaways from the conference, reflect on the accessibility of current scholarship for the K-12 classroom, and discuss best practices for introducing the major themes of the conference to our students. Patrick O'Brien (Kennesaw State University), a scholar and former K-12 teacher, will facilitate this important discussion. Breakfast will be served. The sessions to follow include: (1) a presentation of key primary sources by Prof. Sesay; (2) a presentation by master teachers from Grade 5 and high school of instructional materials they have developed centered on primary sources from MHS collections; and (3) opportunities for participants to develop their own materials in collaboration with fellow educators and scholars.

In recent decades, scholars have unearthed and revived stories of a diverse and wide-ranging cast of characters who lived through America’s political formation. This much-needed corrective has unraveled a traditional narrative of wealthy white male revolutionaries rebelling against a white male dominated imperial government. The lead up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence offers an opportunity to highlight and share the latest scholarship on the topic of underrepresented voices of the American Revolution whether that be from the perspective of Native Americans, women, African Americans, loyalists, ethnic and religious minorities, children, or neutrals in a global war that put the question of representation at its core. This conference will bring together scholars to explore the broad themes associated with historic individuals or groups not traditionally considered in discussing the American Revolutionary Era.