Historiographical Interpretations Of Paul Revere

Every American elementary student is taught the details surrounding the midnight ride of Paul Revere, his actions that night are irrefutable. However, recently several interpretations as to the motives behind his ride have been brought to light. Many philosophies regarding the subsequent views points of his actions that night have largely come about as either a dismissal of previously held interpretations or as confirmation of the earlier actions of Paul Revere have been diluted. This paper will investigate these historiographical interpretations of Paul Revere’s ride, what viewpoints are being investigated today, and the fundamental concepts that have developed over time. “Listen readers and you will hear the conflicting
account of Paul Revere.” Recently in an interview with a Fox news channel, Sarah Palin made several somewhat concerning remark regarding the famous midnight ride of Paul Revere. In her interpretation of the events that took place the evening of April 1775, involving silversmith Paul Revere, Palin stated that, Revere rode that night to warn “the British that they weren’t going to be taking away our arms, by ringing those bells and by making sure that as he’s riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be secure and we were going to be free…and we were going to be armed.” (1) Palin continued by maintaining her explanation that, “part of his ride was to warn the British that were already there, that, ‘Hey, you’re not going to succeed. You’re not going to take American arms. You are not going to beat our own well-armed persons, individual private militia that we have.’ Therefore, part his intent was to “Warn the British.” Since the Palin interview, a debate has erupted between historians and Palin supporters. In Palin’s defense, her reasoning is that most residents of Colonial Boston during the time of