Independence Lost by Duval (2015)

Question 1

What is the main argument of Independence Lost: Lives on the Edge of the American Revolution?

Answer 1

The scope of the American Revolution should be widened to include regions outside the Atlantic Coast of the 13 colonies, as well as the people within these additional regions. In doing so, we can see how the Revolution both increased and decreased the independence of different groups living on the continent.

Question 2

What is the author Kathleen Duval’s background?

Answer 2

DuVal is a professor at UNC Chapel Hill. Received her PhD at UC Davis. Claims Alan Taylor and Daniel Richter as mentors. Studies native Americans in middle North America.

Question 3

Who are the eight main characters that DuVal follows?

Answer 3

1. Payamataha - Chickasaw leader famous for uniting Chickasaws and for policy of non conflict against empires
2. Alexander McGillivray - scotch on father’s side and creek on mother’s side, became go-between for British-Creek alliance
3. Petit Jean - enslaved cattle rancher outside Mobile that seized opportunity of Spanish occupation
4. Amand Broussard - Acadian refugee and future plantation owner that sought British destruction
5. Oliver and Margaret Pollock - Irish merchant couple in NOLA that financially supported rebels to their eventual detriment
6. James and Isabella Bruce - Scottish couple that pinned their hopes on British empire’s success in Pensacola

Question 4

What Gulf battle does DuVal compare to Yorktown? What was its importance and who was there?

Answer 4

The Battle of Pensacola in 1782. The Spanish forces led by Bernardo de Galvez with Acadians, Freeman, and French and then reinforced via Havana, laid siege and took Pensacola (and subsequently all W. FL) from British led by John Campbell and a ~500 Creeks+Choctaws via McGillivray. The brief struggle let Spanish/French forces quickly support other conflicts like in VA and West Indies, possibly accelerating GB surrender.

Question 5

What are the ‘Confederacies’ that DuVal discusses and how does it relate to the ‘Paradox of Independence’?

Answer 5

DuVal finds similarities b/w the post-war efforts by McGillivray to create a Southern Confederacy of Indian Nations to combine w/a Northern Confederacy, and the rebel efforts under the Articles of Confederation. The ‘paradox’ is that confederation to secure future independence requires sacrificing existing independence.

Question 6

Who was James Willing and what was his effect on the war efforts in the Gulf and the main characters?

Answer 6

Willing