Touchstones of Democracy: After the Declaration

How did an American case against a British general provide the setting for the new nation to assert its political and cultural independence?
About this Event

A dramatic trial during the Revolutionary War helped Americans reckon with the significance of independence from Great Britain. In , T.H. Breen, emeritus professor of American history at Northwestern University, explores how a court case against an American colonel and the response of American military officers to a British general provided the setting for the new nation to assert its political and cultural independence and to show itself and the world that it was capable of delivering justice and securing the rule of law.

During this saga, an American prosecutor, who trained in the law offices of future president John Adams, helped to establish the legitimacy of the American republic, as he offered a critique of nobility and aristocratic privilege while making the case for a political order based on equality. Breen joins moderator Paul Halliday, UVA professor of history.

A limited number of lunches will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 11:30 AM. Breen’s book will be available for purchase. Parking is not available at Bond House. You can access Bond House by riding . If you plan to drive, there is paid parking within walking distance at the Oakhurst Inn and Central Grounds Garage. For additional handicap accessible parking spots, consult the .

The Nau Lab's “Touchstones of Democracy” series explores key events, places, thinkers, and texts that inform the history and principles of democracy.