American Revolution Podcast

Many listeners have asked me to recommend books for those casually interested in the American Revolution, or for a single book that covers the entire Revolution. I provide several great recommendations in this episode. Coffee Table Books: The American Revolution: An Intimate History, by Geoffrey Ward and Ken Burns. https://amzn.to/3MqhW81 The American Revolution: A Visual History (from the Smithso...

President Washington hires close friends to make the land deals necessary to establishing the new federal city on the Potomac River. He also personally selects French immigrant Pierre L'Enfant as the city planner. This episode's, blog entry, at ⁠⁠⁠blog. AmRevPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ includes a complete transcript, as well as more resources related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation...

Virginia patriots fight the British at Great Bridge, forcing the British to surrender the last patch of land under British control in Virginia. For more details on this topic, check out ⁠⁠⁠Episode 74⁠⁠⁠ of the American Revolution Podcast. ⁠⁠⁠https://blog.amrevpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alamance Battleground Site Director Nathan Shultz discusses the Regulator movement in North Carolina, which culminates in the 1771 Battle of Alamance. To get more background on the Battle of Alamance, listen to Episode 35 of this podcast. Also, check out the Alamance Battleground website: https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/alamance-battleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

On Nov 29, 1775, A Continental Ship deployed by General Washington manages to capture a large supply ship headed for Boston. The contents supply the Continental Army with desperately needed arms and ammunition. For more details on this topic, check out ⁠⁠Episode 74⁠⁠ of the American Revolution Podcast. ⁠⁠https://blog.amrevpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor Richard Bell discusses his new book The American Revolution and the Fate of the World. For a written summary of the discussion, go to https://blog.amrevpodcast.com To see a list of upcoming Round Table events, where you can participate on Zoom, go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amrevrt.org/virtual-round-table-events⁠⁠⁠ Order the book on Amazon. The author has offered to sell a signed copy directly to y...

General Washington is concerned that Congress needs to define how captured ships will be treated. On November 25, 1775, Congress passes a resolution that sets out how the spoils of war will be divided. For more on the American Revolution, check out the American Revolution Podcast. ⁠⁠https://blog.amrevpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patriot militia occupy Fort Ninety-Six on the South Carolina Frontier while the loyalist militia are away. The militia return in large numbers, but cannot overcome the patriot defenses. On Nov. 21, 1775, after running short of ammunition and water, both sides agree to go home and forget about the whole thing. For more details on this topic, check out ⁠⁠Episode 77⁠⁠ of the American Revolution Podca...

After years of struggling for recognition, and threatening to re-join the British Empire, Vermont finally becomes the 14th State to join the union on March 4, 1791. This episode's, blog entry, at ⁠⁠blog. AmRevPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ includes a complete transcript, as well as more resources related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Moses Robinson and the Founding...

Benedict Arnold Arrives at the Plains of Abraham, in front of Quebec, just after Scottish Highlander Loyalists arrive to protect the city. As a result, Arnold must wait for reinforcements before attempting to take the City. For more details on this topic, check out ⁠Episode 78⁠ of the American Revolution Podcast. ⁠https://blog.amrevpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...

As General Carleton flees back to Quebec City, General Montgomery is unopposed as his army enters Montreal on November 13, 1775. For more details on this topic, check out Episode 78 of the American Revolution Podcast. https://blog.amrevpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a post-election third session of Congress, held in Philadelphia beginning in December 1790, Secretary of Treasury proposes a national bank. Opponents fear that it will give the federal government and wealthy speculators too much power. This episode's, blog entry, at ⁠blog. AmRevPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ includes a complete transcript, as well as more resources related to this week's episode...

London rejects the Olive Branch Petition. The King calls on Parliament to crush the rebellion in America. Lord Dunmore declares martial law in Virginia and proclaims that any slaves that escape their patriot masters and join his army to crush the rebellion, he will offer them freedom. For more details on these topics, check out Episode 71 and Episode 77 of the American Revolution Podcast. https://...

On November 5, 1775, the Continental Congress appoint Esek Hopkins to command its new Continental Navy, once the ships are ready. Five days later, on November 10, Congress authorizes the establishment of two brigades of Marines. Captain Samuel Nicholas is chosen as the Corps' first Commander. Happy 250th Birthday to the US Marines! For more on these topics, check out Episodes 75 and Episode 84 of...

In 1790 the country holds its first census, but doesn't bother to write down everyone's name. Benjamin Franklin dies and the Senate doesn't care. States hold new Congressional elections but continue to have the first Congress meet after a third of the members are replaced in the elections. Congress also leaves New York for the last time. Blog, at blog. AmRevPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ includes a...

In the last week of October, 1775, the Continental Army under General Richard Montgomery breaks the British siege at St. Johns, capturing most of the British Regulars in Canada. As Montgomery prepares to march on Montreal and Quebec City, Colonel Benedict Arnold emerges from the Maine wilderness, just north of Quebec City. For more details on these events, check out Episode 72 and Episode 76 of th...

Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein speak with the American Revolution Podcast about their upcoming documentary about the American Revolution, which will be released on Nov. 16, 2025. We get a behind the scenes look at how the documentary was made. The American Revolution documentary will air on PBS beginning on November 16, 2025.  You can also watch the podcast on the PBS website: https://www.pbs.org/sh...

Oct. 1775: Patriots discover that one of their top leaders in Massachusetts has been cooperating with the enemy. For more context, check out Episode 73 of the American Revolution Podcast: https://blog.amrevpodcast.com/2018/12/episode-073-siege-of-boston-autumn.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct. 26-27, 1775: After the Virginia militia capture and destroy a small British Navy ship, The British retaliate by launching an attack on the coastal town of Hampton Virginia. For more context on this story, check out Episode 69 of the American Revolution Podcast. https://blog.amrevpodcast.com/2018/11/episode-069-south-joins-war.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I discuss the book Portraits of Patriots: Colonel John Trumbull and Five Fellow Patriots From Connecticut in the American Revolution, with author Damien Cregeau. To see a list of upcoming Round Table events, where you can participate on Zoom, go to: ⁠⁠⁠https://amrevrt.org/virtual-round-table-events⁠⁠ Order a copy of Portraits of Patriots: Colonel John Trumbull and Five Fellow Patriots From Connect...

Faced with continuing threats from patriots in New York City, Governor Tryon takes refuge on a ship in NY Harbor, Oct. 19, 1775. For more on ousted Governors, check out Episode 70 of the American Revolution Podcast: https://blog.amrevpodcast.com/2018/11/episode-70-ousted-governors-bermuda.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct. 18, 1775: A British fleet bombards Falmouth (present-day Portland, Maine) to make an example of the consequences of rebellion. For more context, check out Episode 74 of the American Revolution Podcast: https://blog.amrevpodcast.com/2018/12/episode-074-occupied-boston-1775.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In late 1790, Congress finds itself hopelessly divided over two issues. Northerners wanted to have the new Federal government assume state debt from the Revolutionary War. Southerners wanted the capital moved to Virginia. Thomas Jefferson works with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison to broker a compromise on the two issues at his house on June 20, 1790. Blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blog. AmRevP...

The Continental Congress authorizes the creation of a navy, Oct. 13, 1775. To put this in more context, listen to Episode 75 of the American Revolution Podcast. https://blog.amrevpodcast.com/2018/12/episode-075-continental-congress-autumn.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Faced with the need to feed the British Army at Boston, the British Navy must raid costal cities to obtain food from a hostile populous. On October 7-8, 1775 the British attack Bristol Rhode Island, demanding cattle and sheep if the inhabitants want the bombardment to end. For more context, check out Episode 74 of the American Revolution Podcast. https://blog.amrevpodcast.com/2018/12/episode-074-o...