A Conspiratorial Republic: The Societal and Political Impact of Conspiratorial Knowledge in the Early Nineteenth-Century United States

<p>This thesis argues that the American conspiratorial worldview identified by Bernard Bailyn during the American Revolution persisted well into the early American republic period, having a significant impact on early republic society. Drawing on Michael Butter’s study of conspiracy theories, this study examines how early Americans continued to view republican government as inherently fragile and continuously under threat from corrupting forces. This conspiratorial belief established the common American worldviews that the right to personal representation and personal liberties were constantly at risk. Ultimately, this mindset influenced major political developments in the early republic period including the decision to declare war on Great Britain in 1812, and the eventual demise of the Federalist Party. This paper expands on early republic historiography and the study of American conspiracy theories.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

History and Archival Studies, MA

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Master's Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

School of Arts and Humanities

Year dc:date.available

2025

Author dc:creator

• Robinson, Kylee Nikole

Contributors dc:contributor

• Joshua Goode

• American
• Conspiracy
• Federalist
• History
• Republic
• Republican

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgu_etd/1075

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarship.claremont.edu:cgu_etd-2104