14 (Second Edition): The Newburgh Conspiracy and The Peace of Paris
Jan 27, 2025
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Discover the turmoil facing Continental Army officers as they grapple with unfulfilled promises in a tense atmosphere. Explore Benjamin Franklin's pivotal role in negotiating peace in Paris and the strategic challenges he faced with British diplomats. Learn about the potential coup that almost jeopardized the young republic due to military frustrations. Delve into the early American diplomatic tactics and media manipulation that helped shape the nation’s independence narrative. It's a riveting tale of loyalty, ambition, and the quest for peace.
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Quick takeaways
The podcast highlights the tension in March 1783 where Continental Army officers considered mutiny due to Congress's unfulfilled promises of pay.
George Washington's emotional appeal during a contentious meeting transformed the officers' sentiments, emphasizing the importance of honor and unity in their cause.
The negotiations leading to the Treaty of Paris showcased the diplomatic strategies of figures like Franklin and Adams, securing significant territorial gains for America.
Deep dives
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Contemplating a Coup During the Revolutionary War
In March 1783, Continental officers gathered at the Temple of Virtue under a tense atmosphere, contemplating actions against Congress due to unfulfilled promises of pay and provisions. Many officers were aggrieved, with some even not receiving payment for six years, leading to a palpable sense of betrayal. The looming threat of mutiny was assuaged by George Washington's determined presence, aiming to instill patience and resolve among the officers. He emphasized the importance of honor and unity in the fight for liberty, urging the officers to avoid undermining the ideals they had fought to establish.
George Washington's Emotional Plea
Washington addressed the contentious gathering with a heartfelt appeal, reminding the officers of their shared struggles and the sacrifices made for their cause. Gaining emotional ground, he revealed his spectacles, symbolizing his age and the toll the war had taken on him, invoking deep sympathy and respect from the officers. This simple act transformed the mood, leading to an overwhelming emotional response among the officers, who were struck by his vulnerability. His reading of a letter from Congress reassuring them of ongoing negotiations ultimately quelled the mutinous sentiments brewing in the hall.
The Treaty of Paris Negotiations
In the months leading up to the Treaty of Paris, American diplomats navigated complex negotiations with Britain, involving key figures like Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams. Each diplomat brought their unique perspectives and strategies, often navigating their own suspicions of foreign allies. The negotiations yielded a remarkable outcome, successfully securing recognition of American independence, as well as territorial gains extending to the Mississippi River. Ultimately, the treaty laid the groundwork for the United States' emergence as a sovereign nation, despite lingering financial and political challenges.
“I have not only grown gray but almost blind in service to my country.”
This is the story (or tale) of two cities.
In Paris, Ben Franklin, John Adams, John Jay and (briefly) Henry Laurens are negotiating the terms of American independence. They know what they want, but getting there will require outmaneuvering the greatest powers on earth and defying Congress. Will they do as they’ve been instructed? Or risk it all and swing for the fence?
Meanwhile, Continental Army officers in New Windsor, New York, are fed up with Congress’s broken promises. Soldiers have been waiting in vain for their payments for years—will the end of the war change anything, or will their pensions be ignored too? The beleaguered men are even considering violence… could a military coup end the American experiment before the peace treaty is even signed?