Lafayette, the National Guard, and the Bastille

What does it take to become a revolutionary in more than one revolution? In this revisited conversation with Mike Duncan, we explore the life of the Marquis de Lafayette—an ambitious young Frenchman who crossed the Atlantic to fight for the American cause and later carried those lessons into the political storms of France. From early idealism to a complicated role in two upheavals, Lafayette’s story reveals how ideas, alliances, and personal relationships shaped the Age of Revolutions.

You’ll hear how Lafayette became close to George Washington, what he learned in America, and why his legacy makes the most sense when you follow him across borders.

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Show Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/313
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODES
🎧 Bonus: The Marquis de Lafayette & the Hermione
🎧 Episode 071: Saratoga & Hubbardton, 1777
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🎧 Episode 363: Ste. Genévieve National Historical Park
🎧 Episode 365: 300 Years of French Settlment at Île Sait-Jean
🎧 Episode 432: How France & Spain Helped Win the American Revolution
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