The Gist Revolutionary Fog and Folly
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Jun 3, 2025 Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson joins to discuss his latest work on the Revolutionary War. He highlights France's crucial support and the grit of American generals like Henry Knox and Nathaniel Greene. Atkinson also uncovers the surprising aspects of his historical research and challenges myths around the American Revolution. Additionally, the conversation touches on the recent collapse of the Dutch government due to immigration issues, linking local tensions to broader global conflicts.
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France's Crucial Role
- France's support was crucial for the American Revolution's success.
- Persuading Louis XVI to join was diplomatically heavy due to religious and political hesitations.
Gordon Riots' Broader Causes
- The 1780 Gordon Riots in Britain began as anti-Catholic but evolved into broad anti-establishment unrest.
- Widespread war fatigue contributed to severe social disturbance beyond religious tensions.
British Strategic Miscalculations
- The British underestimated American resilience and the prolonged nature of the war.
- Strategic misconceptions about colonial rebellion consequences fueled stubborn British resolve.
