The Invention of America: Ideas, Revolution, and the Birth of a New Republic

A lecture by political scientist Adam Lazebnik.

Why did exactly thirteen British colonies on the east coast of America create a state that changed the course of world history? Why not the Spanish viceroyalties with their gold and silver, or the wealthiest Caribbean islands?

July 4th is the day the United States declared independence. This is not just a national holiday of America but a symbol of how Enlightenment ideas first took political form. The USA became the first state created through a historically coherent intellectual project.

In the lecture, we will explore:
• the worldview roots of the American Revolution;
• how the North American colonies differed from the southern ones, and how English settlements differed from Spanish and French ones in North America;
• the immediate causes and course of the revolution;
• and, of course, the consequences — how a unique American political culture developed, still withstanding challenges today.

As a bonus, we will discuss why the president of American dominance is not as dangerous as often portrayed.