157. The American Revolution: The Shot Heard Around the World (Ep 2)
Jun 5, 2024
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Maya Jasanoff, a Harvard history professor and expert on the American Revolution, joins the discussion to unpack pivotal events like the Boston Tea Party. She reveals how this iconic protest ignited colonial resistance against British rule. Jasanoff highlights the complex nature of the War of Independence, revealing it as a civil war of sorts. The conversation also touches on the Dunmore Proclamation, showcasing the struggle for freedom among enslaved individuals and illustrating the conflicting ideals during this transformative period in American history.
The Boston Tea Party symbolized colonial resistance due to British taxation and trade policies.
Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' pamphlet fueled the push for American independence with radical arguments.
Deep dives
The Lead-up to the Boston Tea Party and the Tea Act
In the podcast, Maya Jasnoff, a professor of history, delves into the events leading up to the Boston Tea Party and the implementation of the Tea Act. By 1773, tensions escalated with conflicts over taxation and trade monopolies imposed by Britain. The Tea Act aimed to balance the interests of the East India Company and American colonists, leading to the tightening of tea enforcement and a reduction in the price of legal tea, causing unrest among colonists.
The Boston Tea Party and its Consequences
The infamous Boston Tea Party in December 1773 saw colonists disguised as Indians board ships in Boston Harbor and dump 342 chests of tea into the water, protesting British taxation. This act, led by figures like Sam Adams, highlighted colonial resistance and defiance. In response, the British Parliament passed the Coercive Acts, punishing Boston and tightening British control, igniting further tensions and resistance in the American colonies.
Formation of Continental Congress and Resistance
The Continental Congress convened in 1774 in Philadelphia, uniting delegates like John Adams, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin to discuss colonial grievances. Seeking repeal of the Intolerable Acts, delegates aimed to reconfigure British-colonial relations. While some, like John Dickinson, favored reconciliation, others, including Samuel Adams, leaned towards revolutionary ideas, sparking debates on the colony's future and autonomy.
Key Role of 'Common Sense' by Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' pamphlet, published in 1776, exerted a significant influence on the push for American independence. The pamphlet, advocating for the colonies' break from British rule and the establishment of a republic, gained immense popularity with its compelling and radical arguments. Paine's work, selling over 100,000 copies, ignited a sense of urgency and purpose among colonists, solidifying the call for independence and republican governance.
The infamous Boston Tea Party sees colonists dressed as Native Americans dump British tea in the surrounding waters. Calls of “the British are coming!” rally untrained militias to stand together against one of the most advanced militaries in the world. The two sides have their first face off. A war begins. Listen as Anita and William are joined by Maya Jasanoff who explains how the War of Independence was just as much a civil war as any other kind.