Hillsdale Dialogues: The Road to the American Revolution, Part One
Date: May 5, 2025
Host: Hugh Hewitt
Guest: Dr. Matt Spalding, Dean, Graduate School of Statesmanship, Hillsdale College

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off a special series commemorating 250 years since the start of the American Revolution. Hugh Hewitt and Dr. Matt Spalding analyze the intellectual, cultural, and historical roots that led to the American Revolution, emphasizing how a deep understanding of English and classical history, religious influence, and colonial self-governance paved the way for revolutionary sentiment. The conversation covers foundational events, the impact of the Glorious Revolution, the diversity and unification of the colonies, educational norms of the Founders, and the sequence of British policies that provoked American resistance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Long Road to Revolution: Laying the Context

• The American Revolution cannot be understood without reference to centuries of British—and broader Western—political and religious developments. (01:39, 02:58)
  • Spalding argues for the importance of classical traditions (Aristotle, Cicero), Christian/Jewish heritage, and especially English constitutional milestones like Magna Carta.
  • Quote: “This is the first time the barons, those are loyal subjects to the king, pushed back against the king.” — Spalding (04:15)
• English civil wars, religious conflict, and the Glorious Revolution were formative for colonial outlook and institutional DNA. (05:49)

2. English Constitutional History and Colonial Foundations

• Early colonies were mostly established before the Glorious Revolution and thus reflect pre-1688 British legal and governmental traditions. (12:11, 14:19)
  • Colonies had their own charters and lived under a period of “benign neglect.”
  • The Glorious Revolution shifted the British Constitution from relative royal authority to parliamentary supremacy.
  • Quote: “The American colonies are all created prior to the Glorious Revolution…for constitutional purposes, Parliament won that war, which meant the monarchy became weaker and subservient to Parliament.” — Spalding (12:11)

3. Diversity and the Push to Unity Among the Colonies

• The colonies were remarkably diverse in cultural, ethnic, and religious terms—more so than today—but gradually found commonalities under British rule and shared resistance. (15:33–17:45)
  • Quote: “What happens as they start to become subject to the same uniform British policies...they start developing something in common.” — Spalding (15:33)
• Evolution toward shared political institutions, notably representative assemblies, was accelerated by imperial reforms and restrictions after the French and Indian War.

4. The Role of Literacy, Pamphleteering, and Education

• Colonial America was highly literate; revolutionary pamphlets (such as Paine’s Common Sense) were widely read and influential. Churches and sermons played a central role. (07:27–08:14)
  • Quote: “One of the great sources of literacy in the largest number of those written pamphlets are sermons. The church plays a crucial role in communication literacy in the American founding.” — Spalding (07:27)
• Even less literate segments were included via public readings.
• The Founders were classically educated, whether through colleges like Harvard, Princeton, William and Mary, or private tutoring, and steeped in British political and legal traditions—especially common law. (18:10, 21:55)
  • Quote: “They overwhelmingly study the classics...they’re reading Cicero, which means they’re reading Greek and Roman history.” — Spalding (18:10)
  • Quote: “No, that’s absolutely right...That’s actually dominant. It’s everywhere. And it just completely formed their way of thinking.” — Spalding (21:55)

5. The French and Indian War: A Watershed Moment

• The war’s outcome transformed the colonial relationship with Britain, ending “benign neglect” and bringing new imperial controls and burdens. (27:03–29:07)
  • The war was directly about control over territories like Ohio—central to colonial aspirations and British strategic thinking.
  • Quote: “The French Union War starts in the American colonies. It starts precisely...to fight over control of the Ohio Valley, which is this rich area of land, potential for expansion and growth.” — Spalding (27:58)

6. Imperial Crisis: Taxation, Regulation, and Representation

• Following the war, Britain restructured its imperial administration and imposed taxes (Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, Tea Act) to cover debts and assert parliamentary authority. (30:11–32:45)
  • Colonists contested both the revenue motive and, crucially, the principle of parliamentary supremacy over taxation and self-government.
  • Quote: “The British make it very clear we are passing these taxes to raise revenue, number one. But number two, we are passing these taxes to establish the principle that Parliament has the right under all circumstances to rule the colonies.” — Spalding (32:45)
• Colonies had no representation in Parliament.
  • Quote: “They haven’t got any Americans in it, Matt, there’s not one American in Parliament, correct?” — Hewitt (32:48)
  • “That’s right.” — Spalding (33:08)
• Competing constitutional visions: UK Parliament’s claim of sovereignty vs. colonists’ insistence on self-governing legislative assemblies. (33:08)

7. The Role of King George III

• Colonists remained loyal to the King longer than often assumed, appealing to him as their constitutional monarch even as Parliament increased control. (35:00–37:27)
  • George III, unlike predecessors, was English-born and had sympathy, but ultimately acted as enforcer of Parliament’s will once the crisis escalated.
  • The Declaration of Independence’s charge that George III had “abdicated”—echoes Glorious Revolution rhetoric.
  • Quote: “Early on they appealed to the King to protect them…But once it really comes down to it, he becomes the enforcer of the laws of Parliament, which is why the declaration ultimately says he is abdicated.” — Spalding (35:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Context: “You can’t understand where we are or even the last 250 years, unless you understand 2000 years.” — Hewitt (02:25)
• On Magna Carta: “This is the first time the barons...pushed back against the king.” — Spalding (04:15)
• On Literacy: “One of the great sources of literacy...are sermons. The church plays a role, a crucial role in communication literacy in the American founding.” — Spalding (07:27)
• On Cultural Differences: “They are very different in that sense, and they develop different cultures. What's interesting about the American founding is that they're isolated from the British by an ocean...But they start melding together because of the circumstances.” — Spalding (15:33)
• On Constitutional Theory: “What The Americans read 1688 to mean was legislative authority relative to the executive authority...That means our legislature. That means the rule of the consent of the governed. That means we should self govern ourselves and pass our own laws.” — Spalding (33:08)
• On George III: “He very clearly understands his role as a king in Parliament, which say that he's a king post 1688...he becomes the enforcer of the laws of Parliament.” — Spalding (35:00)

Key Timestamps

• [01:46] Spalding on the necessity of English context and Magna Carta
• [04:49] Barons’ challenge to royal authority and precursors to constitutionalism
• [07:27] Literacy, pamphlets and the central role of sermons
• [12:11] English Civil Wars, Glorious Revolution, and the roots of colonial government
• [15:33] Diversity among colonies and development of a shared American identity
• [18:10] Educational backgrounds and classical influences on the Founders
• [27:03] The French and Indian War and its impact on colonial-British relations
• [30:26] Post-war reorganization: debt, taxes, and imperial controls
• [32:48] Parliamentary sovereignty vs. American self-government
• [35:00] The complicated loyalties to and role of King George III

Tone and Style

The dialogue is rich, erudite, and conversational, blending humor (“for the benefit of the Steelers fan…”) with sharp historical insight. Both Hewitt and Spalding maintain an accessible yet sophisticated tone, inviting listeners to see the depth and contingency in America's revolutionary origins.

Takeaway

The episode demonstrates that the American Revolution was the culmination of a multi-century evolution in ideas of law, governance, and rights—rooted in British history, classical education, and a unique colonial experience. The Declaration and independence were not sudden or isolated events, but part of an ongoing conversation about liberty, constitutionalism, and self-rule that continues to shape American life.

Next in Series: The discussion will continue, digging further into the events and personalities leading up to independence, as part of a sustained anniversary commemoration.