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

"The Invention of America: Ideas, Revolution, and the Birth of a New Republic" — A Lecture by Political Scientist Adam Lazebnik

Why was it the thirteen British colonies on the eastern coast of North America that created a nation which changed the course of world history? Why not the Spanish viceroyalties, rich in gold and silver, or the wealthy sugar islands of the Caribbean?

During the lecture, we'll explore:

• the intellectual and ideological roots of the American Revolution;
• how the colonies of North America differed from those of South America, and how the English settlements differed from the Spanish and French colonies;
• the immediate causes of the Revolution and how it unfolded;
• and, of course, its consequences—how a unique American political culture emerged and continues to withstand major challenges today.

Bonus topic: we'll also discuss why the much-talked-about U.S. national debt may not be as dangerous as it's often portrayed.