Book Report 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America

10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America Throughout the years there have been many turning points within the history of America. Although many of the events that lead to a change in the course of history were planned, many were brought upon by sheer accident. Many events such as the Moon Landing of 1969 or the gaining of Independence from Britain in 1776 are revered to as the most influential turning points in American history. However, this paper will focus on the ten different, but also crucial, events discussed in “10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America” by Steven M. Gillon. In the introduction of the book, Gillon specifically underlines the importance of acknowledging the days picked as “days whose importance and impact have been undervalued”. The purpose of picking uncommonly thought of days was to “provoke discussion and debate” which would bring events not typically thought of to light. These days were also picked to show not only how revolution can be ignited by accident, but how one seemingly minor event can snowball into a full-blown history changing event and how they can help “define what it means to be American”. The first day discussed is the Massacre at Mystic. On the night
After the Revolutionary War, ties with England were cut, and the existing barter system had collapsed with the Treaty of Paris. Many citizens were forced into debt as additional tax burdens were added. As debt continued to increase, farmers called for a nationwide meeting in Hartford, 1786. They called for extreme change within the economy. Many farmers in attendance called themselves Regulators and represented the triumph of liberty over power while the existing Administration wanted an aristocracy. Courthouse rebellions, such as that of Samuel Fry, sent a shockwave of rebellion across the country. Many citizens began to display acts of violence and rage in order to draw attention to the demands of the