Bibliograph

A crisis of peace, George Washington, the Newburgh Conspiracy, and the fate of the American Revolution, David Head

Type

Label

A crisis of peace, George Washington, the Newburgh Conspiracy, and the fate of the American Revolution, David Head

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Illustrations

platesportraitsmapsillustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

A crisis of peace

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

1053998621

Responsibility statement

David Head

Sub title

George Washington, the Newburgh Conspiracy, and the fate of the American Revolution

Summary

On March 15, 1783, General George Washington addressed a group of angry officers in an effort to rescue the American Revolution from mutiny at the highest level. After the British surrender at Yorktown, the American Revolution still blazed on, and as peace was negotiated in Europe, grave problems surfaced at home. The government was broke, paying its debts with loans from France. Political rivalry among the states paralyzed Congress. The army's officers, encamped near Newburgh, New York, and restless without an enemy to fight, brooded over a civilian population seemingly indifferent to their sacrifices. The result was the Newburgh Affair, a mysterious event in which Continental Army officers, disgruntled by a lack of pay and pensions, may have collaborated with nationalist-minded politicians such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Robert Morris to pressure Congress and the states to approve new taxes and strengthen the central government. Fearing what his men might do with their passions inflamed, Washington averted the crisis, but with the nation's problems persisting, the officers ultimately left the army disappointed, their low opinion of their civilian countrymen confirmed. A Crisis of Peace provides a fresh look at the end of the American Revolution while speaking to issues that concern us still: the fragility of civil-military relations, how even victorious wars end ambiguously, and what veterans and civilians owe each other

Table Of Contents

The road from Yorktown -- The insipid Campaign -- the officer's grievances, the financier's frustration -- the delegation to Philadelphia -- Rumors and gossip -- The anonymous letter -- General Washington in the Temple of Virtue -- Peace and pensions -- The army disbands

Target audience

adult

Classification