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From May Tree to the Tree of Liberty: From the History of Symbolics of the American Revolution
 
PIIS013038640010332-3-1
DOI10.31857/S013038640010332-3
Publication type Article
Status Published
Authors
Maria Filimonova 
Affiliation: Kursk State University
Address: Russian Federation, Kursk
Journal nameNovaia i noveishaia istoriia
EditionIssue 4
Pages179-198
Abstract

In the second half of the 18th century in America there appeared a peculiar tradition of «trees of liberty» and «liberty poles». This was a direct continuation of the use of trees in European festive culture, in particular, the tradition of «May Trees». Special significance of the tree in European and, in particular, English political language is also known. Despite the opposition of the Puritans, similar customs were adopted in colonial America. Since the 1760s, the rituals has acquired a new political meaning. While «May Trees» were primarily a symbol of the spring renewal of nature, «trees of liberty» became associated with the triumph of the incipient American Revolution. «Trees of liberty» and «liberty poles» were part of the symbolic development of space. They served as the center of a variety of political practices, including ritualized protest and struggle with Loyalist opponents. The trees became a metaphor for revolution. The most famous «tree of liberty» was presented by an age-old elm tree in Boston, but similar symbols were widely spread in America, from New England to South Carolina. Comparable semantic load was carried by «liberty poles». The most famous of them was in New York. Since 1790, an identical tradition was developed in France. Unlike many other political rituals of the Enlightenment, the cult of «trees of liberty» was not of a rationalistic nature and was associated with archaic layers of mentality.

Keywordsthe American Revolution, «May Trees», «trees of liberty», loyalists
AcknowledgmentRussian Foundation for Basic Research, № 18-09-00166а
Received22.06.2020
Publication date06.08.2020
Number of characters53486
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