| | Our first through sixth lectures should have covered all of of the following terms, except the lectures did miss the Newburgh Conspiracy (or Address). That was a plot among officers of the Continental Army (the Patriots fighting for the Americans in the Revolutionary War) to hold a military coup and establish martial law in order to obtain back pay that was owed to them by Congress for their military service. The plot came to a climax when they angrily met on March 15, 1783, and were surprised by an unexpected appearance by George Washington. He gave a short speech, but the officers were still still angry, and lacking in the respect that they usually gave to their esteemed leader. Washington then pulled a letter from his pocket from a member of Second Continental Congress. But Washington was unable to read the letter without his reading glasses, and in a miraculous moment of sincere emotion, declared, "Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country." Many of the officers were suddenly moved to tears in the realization that Washington, like themselves, had sacrificed much for the country. The officers left satisfied and would abide by Congress's own timetable for paying them. | | Our first through sixth lectures should have covered all of of the following terms, except the lectures did miss the Newburgh Conspiracy (or Address). That was a plot among officers of the Continental Army (the Patriots fighting for the Americans in the Revolutionary War) to hold a military coup and establish martial law in order to obtain back pay that was owed to them by Congress for their military service. The plot came to a climax when they angrily met on March 15, 1783, and were surprised by an unexpected appearance by George Washington. He gave a short speech, but the officers were still still angry, and lacking in the respect that they usually gave to their esteemed leader. Washington then pulled a letter from his pocket from a member of Second Continental Congress. But Washington was unable to read the letter without his reading glasses, and in a miraculous moment of sincere emotion, declared, "Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country." Many of the officers were suddenly moved to tears in the realization that Washington, like themselves, had sacrificed much for the country. The officers left satisfied and would abide by Congress's own timetable for paying them. |
| − | The Newburgh Conspiracy is a good story. But develop a sensitivity or "ear" for the '''historical significance''' of this story. Why is this event important in the history of our nation? The answer is this: this event confirmed civilian authority or control over the military. Congress, a civilian authority, decides if and when to pay the soldiers. The soldiers have the guns, but they must submit to the civilian authority of Congress, as established by the above event | + | The Newburgh Conspiracy is a good story. But develop a sensitivity or "ear" for the '''historical significance''' of each event or story in history class. Why is this event important in the history of our nation? The answer is this: this event confirmed civilian authority or control over the military. Congress, a civilian authority, decides if and when to pay the soldiers. The soldiers have the guns, but they must submit to the civilian authority of Congress, as established by the above event |