We had understood that the American Revolution was unwanted by most of the people living in the colonies, and that only a small percentage of people supported it. What we didn’t realize was how much the truth was stretched and how much propaganda drove the forces that started this country.
On our tour of The Freedom Trail in Boston we learned that the Boston Massacre was called “The Incident on King Street” by the British. After an angry mob harassed British guards with rocks and sticks, yes, the Brits fired and killed 3 people, and mortally wounded two more.
Then the revolutionaries made hay, termed it a massacre, and recruited sympathy from other colonies with bold propaganda, such as this picture. In the meeting halls and churches of the day, a few people stirred up a revolution by bullshitting people.
So, …did the oratory skills and political influence of a small minority actually bring about such a change as the founding of our country? Turn the clock forward 250 years. Do we have the institutions and structure, such as a free press and an educated public, to deal with such propaganda? Think how we were sold the Iraq War, or how we’re going to build that wall, and on and on.
On the other hand, if our system of government gets so bad in the future as the British were in 18th century, could a small group of rebels convince enough people to revolt, or have even the smallest chance to win? I doubt it.
Propaganda and political influence.
Time to stop thinking and be in the moment. We took the passenger ferry to Boston, enjoyed our tour and a 8 mile walk through the city. Boston has charm and its history does provoke thought.
We had our city tour during the US women’s world cup final!
Coming into Boston from our water ferry.
The old State house, interesting, the Lion and the Unicorn statues were vandalized and burned 3 times.
Built in 1713, the Old State House was a seat of British power, and became a point of origin for vital debates about self-government that sparked the Revolution. It is the oldest public building in Boston.
On July 18, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was first proclaimed from the balcony, to the jubilant citizens of Boston. Later that day, the rooftop statues of a lion and unicorn, along with other symbols of royal authority, were pulled down and burned in a bonfire.
We liked Boston and had a great time!