Woodie holton is a historian at the university of south carolina. He says most of america's founders were not originally spoiling for a split with britain. As late as the fall of 17 74, he says, people like washington, franklin and jefferson are pissed off but not yet in fullon rebellion. They are protesting the british, but they do not want independence really. What they want is conservative that is, to turn back the clock to how things had been in 17 63.
In the American Revolution, the men who revolted were among the wealthiest and most comfortable people in the colonies. What kind of revolution was it, anyway? Was it about a desire to establish democracy—or something else?
By producer/host John Biewen with series collaborator Chenjerai Kumanyika. Interviews with Davy Arch, Barbara Duncan, Rob Shenk, and Woody Holton. Edited by Loretta Williams.
Music by Algiers, John Erik Kaada, Eric Neveux, and Lucas Biewen. Music consulting and production help from Joe Augustine of Narrative Music.