I feel like I’ve read plenty about the historical materialist understanding about how the US constitution was formed and its class characteristics, but a lot less about the actual act of declaring independence. I do know how a bunch of the founding fathers made fortunes from land speculation via genocide and stealing indigenous land; and how the Brits wouldn’t let the yanks do that because they didn’t want to start another incredibly expensive war with the native peoples. I’ve also read of Gerald Horne’s thesis about how the founding fathers were worried that GB would totally outlaw slavery. I have a lot respect for Horne, he’s great but frankly I think that theory has little to no concrete evidence supporting it. But those two are the only materialist analyses of independence that I’ve seen so far.

  • mazdak
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    edit-2
    10 months ago

    deleted by creator

    • nohaybanda [he/him]
      ·
      1 year ago

      In their defence, this is something the British definitely would and have done.

      • Mardoniush [she/her]
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        1 year ago

        If it wasn't so profitable in China they'd totally have shipped opium to the US. Which gives us the concerning prospect of the South trying to Jem Hadar their slaves.

    • Mardoniush [she/her]
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      1 year ago

      Not an uncommon thought at the time. Bach's coffee cantata makes a lot more sense if you view it as a type of proto stoner comedy.