10 American Presidents Podcast Ep:2 – Washington – Mike Duncan Q&A
Apr 4, 2015
In this engaging discussion, Mike Duncan, a renowned writer and producer known for his work on the History of Rome and Revolutions podcasts, dives deep into the life of George Washington. He explores Washington's complex relationship with slavery, detailing his moral struggles and eventual decisions. Duncan also reveals insights about Washington's fraught partnership with John Adams and the vice presidency's early powerlessness. Additionally, he debunks the myth of Washington's desire for monarchy, emphasizing his commitment to republican ideals.
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Virginia's Settled Plantation Society
- Mike Duncan describes colonial Virginia as settled, with large landed estates and a declining frontier struggle.
- This context explains Washington's upbringing within an established planter aristocracy.
Use The Facebook Group To Ask Questions
- Ask direct historical questions to get focused expert answers from narrators like Mike Duncan.
- Use the show's Facebook group to submit questions that shape future Q&A segments.
Washington's Moral Conflict Over Slavery
- George Washington grew increasingly uneasy about slavery and stopped buying and selling enslaved people as he aged.
- He still kept slaves and only arranged for their eventual freedom in his will, showing moral conflict without decisive action.