Contrary to common understanding, in the backcountry at least, the
American Revolution was fought over land rather than democratic
ideals. In this book, historian Walter Dunn reveals the true nature
of the conflicting interests on the frontier, demonstrating that
the primary issues there, land and the fur trade, were, in fact,
the basis of the conflict between the local colonists and Britain.
Diverse Indian groups, wealthy land speculators, humbler settlers,
fur traders, and the British government all had conflicting designs
on the rich lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. The conflict
on the frontier during the Revolution has been described as one of
heroic settlers defending their farms against attacks by the
British army, the Tories, and the Indians. In truth, the situation
was far more complex. For many on the frontier, the primary motive
for fighting was not defending farms, but acquiring vast tracts of
land for later resale at enormous profit. Native Americans, in
contrast, were motivated by the desire to retain control of their
homeland, for without their hunting grounds and cornfields, they
would starve. Going beyond accepted theory, Dunn explores why those
on the frontier reacted to the conflict as they did. He
demonstrates how the various economic groups were forced to decide
whether they should side with Britain or the colonists or if
possible remain neutral, and the forces that governed those
choices. Finally, he reveals how the decisions made on the frontier
during the Revolution had a lasting impact on the post-war
situation in the West, delaying western expansion by nearly two
decades.
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