The American Revolution: A Constitutional Interpretation (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781025270258)

"The American Revolution: A Constitutional Interpretation" is a profound examination of the legal and political foundations of the conflict between Great Britain and its North American colonies. Charles Howard McIlwain presents a compelling argument that the Revolution was fundamentally a constitutional dispute regarding the nature of the British Empire rather than a purely social or economic uprising. By analyzing the historical relationship between the Crown, Parliament, and the colonies, the work explores whether the British Parliament possessed the legal authority to legislate for subjects across the Atlantic.

This scholarly study delves into the deep precedents of the English constitution, the status of the "dominions," and the evolving interpretations of sovereignty that eventually necessitated the Declaration of Independence. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History, "The American Revolution: A Constitutional Interpretation" remains an essential text for understanding the intellectual and legal framework that shaped the founding of the United States. It offers a rigorous defense of the colonial position, asserting that the resistance of the colonists was rooted in established constitutional principles and a defense of their rights as subjects within the empire. This work is indispensable for students of American history, constitutional law, and political theory.

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