2026 marks the Semiquincentennial or 250 year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. You may have seen an increase in discussions about the American Revolutionary War and its impact (on a national and global level). You may be planning to attend one of the many events which are being held to commemorate America250, such as the RAI America 250 events.
Over this week, we will be releasing brief blogposts aimed at helping researchers find primary sources on the American Revolutionary War, in a variety of different formats, geographic focus and subject areas. It is intended to help those interested in the War, who may already have some general knowledge on the subject, to dig deeper into the different primary sources available and start their own research journey.
This guide is primarily aimed at Oxford students and researchers, and some resources will require subscription access via SSO or access to the print collections across the Bodleian Libraries, but Open Access resources are also included. This is not meant to be a complete guide nor will it be updated with new resources going forward.
This is Part 3: British and French perspectives and the information has been kindly provided by Isabel Holowaty, History Librarian (Research), who provides subject support for British and Western European History.
The American Revolution through British eyes
The American Revolution was profoundly significant in shaping Britain’s modern history. After the initial shock – the loss of its largest mainland colonies and suffering a humiliating military defeat – the events across the Atlantic ultimately led to a redefining of the limits, priorities, and meaning of British power. Within the British political establishment and public sphere, the Revolution intensified debates about representation and executive power, with the British government and British political discourse primarily framing the conflict as an internal constitutional crisis and rebellion.
Sources for the study of the American Revolution through British eyes include parliamentary and government sources, diplomatic papers and correspondence, writings and speeches of individuals, and the public press.
GOVERNMENTAL AND DIPLOMATIC SOURCES
- Journals of the House of Commons
- Cobbett’s Parliamentary History of Britain
- George III. By the King, a Proclamation, for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition. Boston: Printed by John Howe, 1775
- Simmons, R. C, and P. D. G Thomas. Proceedings and Debates of the British Parliaments Respecting North America, 1754-1783. Millwood, N.Y: Kraus International Publications, 1982.
- Knox, William. Extra Official State Papers : Addressed to the Right Hon. Lord Rawdon, and the Other Members of the Two Houses of Parliament, Associated for the Preservation of the Constitution and Promoting the Prosperity of the British Empire. Dublin: London printed, Dublin reprinted …, 2018.
- A Complete Collection of All the Protests of the Peers in Parliament, Entered on Their Journals, since the Year 1774, on the Great Questions of the Cause and Issue of the War between Great-Britain and America, &c to the Present Time. London: printed for J. Stockdale, opposite Burlington House, Piccadilly, 1782.
- Dickinson, H. T. British Pamphlets on the American Revolution, 1763-1785. 8 vols. Pickering & Chatto, 2007-
- Moore, Frank. The Diary of the Revolution : A Centennial Volume Embracing the Current Events in Our Country’s History from 1775 to 1781 as Described by American, British, and Tory Cotemporaries. Hartford: J.B. Burr, 1876.
- Burke, Edmund, and James Rivington. The Speech of Edmund Burke, Esquire, on Moving His Resolutions for Conciliation with the Colonies, March 22d, 1775. New-York: Printed by James Rivington, 1775.
THE PUBLIC PRESS
Newspapers are an excellent source to reveal how the American Revolution was understood, debated, and experienced at the time, not just how it unfolded politically or militarily. They provide direct access to contemporary opinion and public debate as published in the press. The press also helps historians trace the circulation of ideas across the Atlantic world. For instance, newspapers frequently reprinted speeches, pamphlets, letters, and reports from Britain, the colonies, and Europe. As such, newspapers are a useful foil to the debates in the political establishment.
Check out our guide to newspaper resources which cover historical national and regional newspapers for Britain & Ireland and France.
- Hinkhouse, Fred Junkin. The Preliminaries of the American Revolution as Seen in the English Press, 1763-1775. New York: Columbia University Press, 1926.
- Bickham, Troy O. Making Headlines : The American Revolution as Seen through the British Press. DeKalb, Ill: Northern Illinois University Press, 2009.
- Grant, Alfred. Our American Brethren : A History of Letters in the British Press during the American Revolution, 1775-1781. Jefferson, N.C ; McFarland, 1995.
- Bickham, Troy O. “Sympathizing with Sedition? George Washington, the British Press, and British Attitudes during the American War of Independence.” The William and Mary Quarterly 59.1 (2002): 101–122.
- The American Revolution from a British Perspective (database) 11 volumes published in Britain and Ireland, related to the American Revolution and related American topics, primarily taken from those listed in Thomas R. Adams’ The American Controversy. Providence : Brown University Press 1980.
Major newspapers
- The London Gazette: the first official journal of record and the newspaper of the Crown, which presented an official framing of the war and proclamations.
- The Public Advertiser: one of the most widely read London newspapers which published parliamentary news, war reports, and political letters, including radical critiques.
- The London Chronicle: a popular, accessible paper with extensive coverage of military events and colonial affairs; Important for gauging middle-class opinion and war weariness.
- The Morning Chronicle: Often critical of ministerial handling of the war in 1780s and 1790s. From 1789 increasingly sympathetic to opposition Whig views.
- The Gentleman’s Magazine: Highly influential and circulated monthly periodical which reprinted speeches, pamphlet extracts, letters, and news from America. Useful for understanding how American events were digested by a broad reading public.
Some personal views:
- British and Irish Women’s Letters and Diaries 1500-1950 (database)
- Electronic Enlightenment (database of digitised correspondence)
- Eighteenth Century Collections Online (digital library of C18th century publications)
- Smith, Paul H, and Library of Congress. American Revolution Bicentennial Office. English Defenders of American Freedoms, 1774-1778 : Six Pamphlets Attacking British Policy. Washington: Library of Congress, 1972.
- Sainsbury, John. Disaffected Patriots : London Supporters of Revolutionary America 1769-1782. Kingston [Ont: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1987.
USEFUL READINGS
Kamensky, Jane, and Edward G Gray. The Oxford Handbook of the American Revolution. 1st ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013.
Conway, Stephen. “From Fellow-Nationals to Foreigners: British Perceptions of the Americans, circa 1739-1783.” The William and Mary Quarterly 59.1 (2002): 65–100.
To find more readings, use the following subject search in SOLO:
“United States — History — Revolution, 1775-1783 — Foreign public opinion, British”
The American Revolution through French eyes
In contrast to Britain, France framed the American Revolution largely as an international struggle and an opportunity to restore strategic balance within Europe, esp. after the Seven Years’ War. The initial diplomatic approach was outwardly neutral combined with some covert encouragement. During the Revolution, France adopted a more overtly critical stance towards Britain and supportive of the American cause, not least for ideological sympathies. Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes and French foreign minister 1774-1787, was the central figure in shaping French diplomatic policy.
French sources
GOVERNMENTAL AND DIPLOMATIC SOURCES
- Assemblée nationale — Archives & historical collections
- Gallica (French Digital Library) > 18th century diplomatic sources
- Louis XVI et al. Louis XVI and the Comte de Vergennes : Correspondence 1774-1787. Oxford: Voltaire Foundation, 1998.
- Vergennes, Charles Gravier. Correspondence. Oxford: Electronic Enlightenment Project, 2008.
- Gérard, Conrad Alexandre, Charles Gravier Vergennes, and John J Meng. Despatches and Instructions of Conrad Alexandre Gérard, 1778-1780 : Correspondence of the First French Minister to the United States with the Comte de Vergennes. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1939.
- Écrits autour des Révolutions américaine et française
- Traité d’amitié et de commerce, conclu entre le Roi et les États-Unis de l’Amérique septentrionale, le 6 février 1778 (1778)
- Treaty of Alliance with France / Traité d’alliance (1778)
- Stanley J. Idzerda (ed.), Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers. Ithaca, N.Y: Cornell University Press, 1977.
THE PUBLIC PRESS
Check out our guide to newspaper resources which cover historical national and regional newspapers for France.
Newspapers and Gazettes
- Gazette de France: official newspaper of the monarchy which carefully framed American events.
- Mercure de France: one of the most important literary-political journals which published essays, poems, and commentary celebrating American liberty and figures like Franklin.
Journals and Reviews
- Affiches, annonces et avis divers (via Gallica): regional papers that largely spread enthusiasm for the American cause beyond Paris. The availability of issues for this period is very mixed so you may need to search Gallica in more detail.
- Journal de Paris: the first daily newspaper in France which covered American events in an accessible, non-specialist tone.
Some personal views:
- Electronic Enlightenment (database of digitised correspondence of writers & thinkers)
- Raynal, Guillaume Thomas. The sentiments of a foreigner, on the disputes of Great-Britain with America. Translated from the French. Philadelphia: Printed by James Humphreys, Junior; 1775
USEFUL READINGS
Corwin, Edward S. French Policy and the American Alliance of 1778. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1916.
To find more readings, use the following subject search in SOLO:
“United States History Revolution, 1775-1783 Foreign public opinion, French“
For more guidance on finding resources related to American History, contact bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.
For more guidance on finding resources related to British and Western European History, check the online Bodleian guide or contact isabel.holowaty@bodleian.ox.ac.uk or rachel.darcy-brown@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
