349. The Birth of the United States (Part 3)

“O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth!” The U.S. Congress votes for independence on the 2nd of July 1776, and George Washington reads the Declaration of Independence to his troops a few days later, after which they pull down the statue of George III in New York, melting it down to make bullets. The king is now the target of the revolutionaries’ grievances, it is no longer the British Parliament. In Episode 3 of our series on the American Revolution, Tom, Dominic and Professor Adam Smith explore the importance and impact of the Declaration of Independence, the role of King George III, and the effect of France’s involvement.

The Rest Is History Club members can listen to the full series now.

[land_]

American here. This was a refreshing perspective. Good job, lads.

[amynatzke]

I am grateful to hear Brits examine my country's beginnings. Can we trust ourselves to tell our own story? These days?

[EthanBSide]

Washington Crossing the Delaware original was indeed destroyed in Bremen in 1942. However, Leutze painted two more versions, one of which is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

[faithallen]

I like liatening to American history from your point of view. I cant help but think of King George the third as the character in the musical "Hamilton". Poor George, later in life he was really ill.

[robinhood]

American here. It was absolutely fascinating listening to this series, after the propaganda that we are sold from birth over this period. Sadly here in 2024 half of my country have abandoned the idea of liberty and the importsnce of our founding documents and the ideas they represent. I am not convinced that there will not be a second civil war. After this election, we now wait for authoritarian, somewhat fascists, to begin their term and i am not convinced we will ever have a free and fair election again. As you can see in the comments, my fellow Americans hate any history than our manufactured narrative of destiny and the fight against tyranny.

[angusgus]

Talking of wars of independence - any plans for a series on Algeria and France? Just reading Jonathan Meades' piece 'Time Doesn't Heal' on its tangled mess of betrayal, misinformation, and moral inversions and thinking D and T would great work untangling it all

[fastpublish]

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all (Protestant white) men are created equal ..."

[stomashek]

I remember reading „sale of the hessians“ by Ben Franklin. Wish they would’ve used it.

[Wee_Langside]

I'm surprised that, in all these comments on slavery, no American, aa far as i can see has mentioned "the shores of Tripoli " and the US Marine Corps involvement in reducing the threat of the Barbary Slavers.

[audiblyaudiobook]

250 years later and the brits still salty about 1776.

[Bultras-CA]

All I'll say is that the history US and Canadian kids learn at school is no less propaganda than let's say in Russia. Great episode as always!

[susanstein]

You left out Abigail Adams.

The British did exactly what you say they didn't in the Western part of the Southern colonies.

[ironhills]

Who in their right mind thinks Jefferson should have been more like Robespierre?

[dliu]

In the US military, we pledge allegiance to the constitution (not the president or a single political party). All military officers have to recite this oath, an repeat it when we are promoted. People don't realise this

[michaelandrewsalomonenewje]

Also remember the writings of Jefferson’s friend Filippo Mazzei.

[toastyanon]

Hey now! Jefferson may have been a slaveholder, but he sculpted so much of our nation’s values in liberty that we’d never call him a straight up “bad guy.”

[itzgamerz]

Which episode number are part 1 and 2, can’t find it when I search it

[launiesoult]

Declaration of Independence had nothing to do with France Benjamin Franklin who was the minister of France was there with Jefferson whenever he wrote the declaration so you are wrong my friend

[Doc_Filth]

Adam Smith sounds distractingly like David Mitchell.

[benjamingood]

They really think Thomas Paine is a terrible person?