You're Dead to Me American War of Independence (Radio Edit)
61 snips
Oct 31, 2025 Frank Cogliano, a Professor of American History at the University of Edinburgh, joins Emmy-winning comedian Patton Oswalt to explore the American War of Independence. They dive into the deep rifts that led colonists to rebel against British rule, touching on iconic events like the Boston Massacre and the Declaration of Independence. Cogliano highlights how the revolution's promises largely excluded Indigenous peoples and enslaved Black Americans. Oswalt adds a comedic twist, making history not just informative, but also entertaining.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
More Than Thirteen Colonies
- British North America comprised 26 colonies by the mid-18th century, not just the canonical 13 rebel colonies.
- The thirteen that rebelled were the eastern seaboard ones with long-established self-government and assemblies.
Debt Drove Taxation Clash
- Britain's huge post-war public debt pushed Parliament to tax the American colonies to help pay for defense.
- Colonists resisted because they had grown used to self-government and invoked the "rights of Englishmen."
Repeal, Then Assertion
- Parliament repealed the Stamp Act but asserted absolute authority with the Declaratory Act, provoking colonial distrust.
- The following Townshend duties renewed tensions by imposing import duties that colonial leaders opposed.
