Babeled

In the year 1776, the world witnessed the 13 colonies of America raise up their arms and fight against the tyranny of Britain. The book, 1776, written by David McCullough portrays a brilliant story of the hardships and successes the fledgling United States government experienced in the year that was the nation’s “Declaration of Independence”.

The book begins in Britain 1775 where the King and Parliament are expressing their concerns about engaging in a war across the sea with their colonies. In this particular instance and all throughout the book, McCullough provides the reader with insightful speeches. In the 1st chapter, the precedent is set as McCullough incorporates actual speeches when King George III addresses Parliament.

As expected, the King’s address would be one of the most important delivered by an English monarch. He had a good voice that carried well. “The present situation of America, and my constant desire to have your advice, concurrence, and assistance on every important occasion, have determined me to call thus early together.” America was in open revolt, he declared, and he denounced as traitors those who, by “gross misrepresentation,” labored to inflame his people in America. Theirs was a “desperate conspiracy.” All the time they had been professing loyalty to the parent state, “and the strongest protestations of loyalty to me,” they were preparing for rebellion.

They have raised troops, and are collecting a naval force. They have seized the public revenue, and assumed to themselves legislative, executive, and judicial powers, which they already exercise in the most arbitrary manner. . . And although many of these unhappy people may still retain their loyalty . . . the torrent of violence has been strong enough to compel their acquiescence till a sufficient force shall appear to support them. (McCullough 11)

McCullough then divulges a detailed debate that occurred among the members of Parliament revealing those that support and oppose the venture of war. Several members were adamant in opposition, including Edmund Burke and John Wilkes. McCullough presents John Wilkes argument within the turmoil that was the House of Commons and why England should not engage in war.

“I speak, Sir, as a firm friend to England and America, but still more to universal liberty and the rights of all mankind. I trust no part of the subjects of this vast empire will ever submit to be slaves.” Never had England been engaged in a contest of such import to her own best interests and possessions, Wilkes said.

We are fighting for the subjugation, the unconditional submission of a country infinitely more extended than our own, of which every day increases the wealth, the natural strength, the population. Should we not succeed . . . we shall be considered as their most implacable enemies, an eternal separation will follow, and the grandeur of the British empire pass away.

The war with “our brethren” in America was “unjust . . . fatal and ruinous to our own country,” he declared. (McCullough 15)

Within the first twenty pages, the reader experiences the turmoil that ensued in the House of Commons, whereas members would speak out in support or opposition to the war. The book illustrates that the decision to engage in a war with America was not brought about easily and that “By the time the vote in the Commons had concluded, it was four in the morning.”

The book really grabs the reader’s attention once the setting switches over to the American side, where you meet the personalities of George Washington, Nathanael Greene, and Henry Knox. McCullough offers a detailed look at the challenges that faced George Washington and his ‘ragtag army’. We first meet Washington outside of Boston following the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he has just been appointed to command the Continental Army.

. . . Washington had been warned not to expect “regularity and discipline” among the men. The youth of the army had little or no experience with military life. Nor were they “possessed of the absolute necessity of cleanliness.” Beyond that Washington found them to be men of a decidedly different sort than he had expected, and he was not at all pleased. (McCullough 25)

McCullough doesn’t portray George Washington in a deifying, awe-inspiring light. Instead, he shows that Washington in the beginning of 1776, had serious doubts about his ability to lead a nation through a war. Things were so dubious for Washington, he did not even know if he could handle the responsibility. In a letter to Joseph Reed, Washington’s most trusted confidant, General Washington resembles a broken and downtrodden man.

He was downcast and feeling quite sorry for himself. Had he known what he was getting into, he told Reed, he would never have accepted the command.

I have often though how much happier I should have been if, instead of accepting of a command under such circumstances, I had taken my musket upon my shoulders and entered the ranks, or, if I could have justified the measure to posterity, and my own conscience, had retired to the back country, and lived in a wigwam. (McCullough 79)

McCullough illustrates that 1776, the beginning of the Revolutionary War, was not as great as the American mythos portrays. The year more closely resembled a ‘roller coaster’ ride, with drastic twists and turns. However, with the challenges that Washington and his army faced, the downward trend seemed to never end. Following the defeat to the British in New York, Washington wrote to Congress regarding his ‘contemptible’ army.

The militia, instead of calling forth their utmost efforts to a brave and manly opposition, in order to repair our losses, are dismayed, intractable, and impatient to return. Great numbers of them have gone off, in some instances almost by whole regiments. (McCullough 203)

In what McCullough considers to be the ‘Darkest Hour’ of the Revolutionary War, morale throughout the army and the ‘fledgling’ nation was low. The army was quickly diminishing and they were in a long retreat backwards through New Jersey and then to Pennsylvania. All seemed to be lost and all the great leaders, such as Washington, Greene, and Knox were in despair and hadn’t a clue how to emerge victorious.

To place any dependence on militia is, assuredly, resting upon a broken staff. Men just dragged from the tender scenes of domestic life - unaccustomed to the din of arms - totally unacquainted with every kind of military skill, which being followed by a want of confidence in themselves when opposed to troops regularly trained, disciplined, and appointed, superior in knowledge, and superior in arms, makes them timid and read to fly from their own shadows. (McCullough 226)

The year 1776, along with McCullough’s book, end on a high note when finally George Washington and his army were able to make a push back against the British at the Battle of Trenton. Using the element of surprise, the Hessians were defeated on Christmas Day. The surprise attack proved to be such a success that John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, praised George Washington and his army.

From Baltimore, addressing Washington on behalf of the entire Congress, John Hancock said that the victory at Trenton was all the more “extraordinary” given that it had been achieved by men “broken by fatigue and ill-fortune.”

But troops properly inspired, and animated by a just confidence in their leader will often exceed expectation, or the limits of probability. As it is entirely to your wisdom and conduct, the United States are indebted for the late success of your arms. (McCullough 284)

1776 by David McCullough is a literary masterpiece and should be read by any history buff. As the first objective, non-fictional novel of the Revolutionary War that I have ever read, I am extremely impressed with his writing style and logical prowess. His use of factual speeches, letters, and journal entries as primary sources throughout the book was brilliant. He unobtrusively incorporated historical non-fiction into this book, giving the reader a substantial understanding of who the characters were and the motivations behind their actions. To complete the picture he tactfully defines the early successes and failures of the Revolutionary War.