This is the first in a multi-part series on the radicalism of the Declaration of Independence.
The American Revolution is a current event. Its contested meaning continues to animate political life and social struggle to this day. It’s no accident that all Americans recognize these words from the Revolution’s most important document, the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The radical idea of egalitarianism was at the philosophical core of the 18th century revolutionaries’ struggle against Great Britain, and it would serve to inspire future generations in conflicts over human rights.
In this episode of History As It Happens, historians Sean Wilentz and Jim Oakes assess whether some Americans have lost sight of the radicalism of the revolution that created our society. They also discuss the idea, espoused by the 1619 project, of a “pro-slavery revolution” that casts the American founding as an act of White supremacy.
SEE ALSO: History As It Happens: What Jefferson wanted
“There is an argument now about whether the Revolution was pro-slavery, but it’s not an argument that I think will last so long because I don’t think the argument is a particularly interesting one,” said Mr. Wilentz, the author of “The Rise of American Democracy.” “But at the moment everything is more divisive in American history than it was before, so I don’t know that the Revolution should be any exception.”
History As It Happens is available at washingtontimes.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
