Patriots Before Revolution

In this insightful exploration, historian Amy Watson delves into the origins of Patriotism as conceived by early British politicians in the eighteenth century, who aimed for radical reforms within the British Empire rather than American independence. These early Patriots sought to establish a militant and expansionist empire, leveraging print media and grassroots efforts to build an influential political party spanning cities like London, Edinburgh, and New York. Their advocacy ignited significant political conflicts over taxation and civil liberties, setting the stage for the revolutionary upheaval that would follow.