Conversations with Tyler

Alan Taylor on Revolutionary Ironies and the Continental Civil War

Jul 24, 2024

Alan Taylor, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and historian at the University of Virginia, shares his insights on early American history. He explores why Canada didn’t join the American revolution and how American Tories relocated post-revolution. The conversation delves into the fears surrounding the stability of the Republic, Texas/Mexico tensions, and the implications of the Mexican-American War. Taylor also reflects on Haiti's struggles and the evolving nature of historical academia amid technological advancements.

57:06

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Episode guests

Alan Taylor

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Quick takeaways

The American Revolution boosted land prices in the US but led to economic decline initially.

Migration to British Canada stemmed more from economic incentives than political motivations.

Deep dives

Reasons for the 13 Colonies Independence

The 13 colonies declared independence due to larger populations and geographic connections, giving them military confidence compared to other British colonies like Canada and islands in the West Indies, which were more tenuous and dependent on the British Royal Navy.

The Diminishing Value of the Human Mind in Data Analysis

01:36

Why did Britain’s New France side with the British

00:37

Tension and Talk of Union Invasion of Canada Post U.S. Civil War

01:10

Lessons from History: The Fragility of Nations

01:46

Intro

2min

Historical Ties: Canada and America

18min

Challenges and Transformations in Early American Governance

18min

Haiti's Historical Struggles

5min

Exploring Frontiers: From Literature to Modern Landscape

2min

Challenges and Changes in Historical Academia

5min

Tech, History, and Storytelling

6min

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Alan Taylor is Tyler’s pick for one of the greatest living historians. His many books cover the early American Republic, American westward expansion, the War of 1812, Virginian slavery, Thomas Jefferson, the revolutionary settlements in Maine, and more. He’s currently the Thomas Jefferson Chair of History at the University of Virginia.

Tyler and Taylor take a walking tour of early history through North America covering the decisions, and ripples of those decisions, that shaped revolution and independence, including why Canada didn’t join the American revolution, why America in turn never conquered Canada, American’s early obsession with the collapse of the Republic, how democratic the Jacksonians were, Texas/Mexico tensions over escaped African American slaves, America’s refusal to recognize Cuban independence, how many American Tories went north post-revolution, Napoleon III’s war with Mexico, why the US Government considered attacking Canada after the Civil War, and much more.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.

Recorded May 9th, 2024.

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Photo Credit: (c) Dan Addison UVA University Communications

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Conversations with Tyler

Alan Taylor on Revolutionary Ironies and the Continental Civil War

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Reasons for the 13 Colonies Independence

Impact of American Revolution on Land Value

Migration to British Canada

Economic Impact of the American Revolution

The Diminishing Value of the Human Mind in Data Analysis

Why did Britain’s New France side with the British

Tension and Talk of Union Invasion of Canada Post U.S. Civil War

Lessons from History: The Fragility of Nations

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts