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History Unplugged Podcast

The Revolution Before the Revolution: How 1776 Happened

History Unplugged Podcast

History Unplugged

Society & Culture, History

4.23.7K Ratings

🗓️ 14 March 2019

⏱️ 55 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In the 1760s, the American colonies were completely incapable of organized resistance. One's loyalty was to their state, as the idea of being an “American” was nearly empty. Few clamored for democracy, as Europe and the rest of the world believed that the highest form of government was monarchy. And most Americans considered themselves British – or at least part of the British Empire.

But in 1776 the United States formally declared itself as a new nation in which all men were equal. They formed a continental army. And within a few years they defeated the world's best military force.

How did so much change in 10 years? To discuss this topic is today's guest Michael Troy, host of the American Revolution Podcast. His show is a chronological history of the Revolutionary War, and he gets deep into details (at the time of this recording the show was 75 episodes in and only up to the year 1775).

Transcript

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0:00.0

Welcome to the History Unplugged Podcast.

0:05.4

The unscripted show that celebrates unsung heroes, Mythbust's historical lies, and rediscoveres

0:11.9

the forgotten stories that changed our world.

0:15.5

I'm your host, Scott Rank.

0:23.2

In the 1760s, almost no one would be worse at fighting for their independence than the

0:28.0

American colonies.

0:30.1

They were completely incapable of organized resistance.

0:33.8

One's loyalty was to his state, as the idea of being an American was almost meaningless.

0:39.9

Few people even clamored for democracy, because Europe and the rest of the world thought

0:43.8

that the highest form of government was monarchy.

0:47.0

Democracy was something that you read about in your classical education that Athens tried

0:50.9

to do, but it just led to internal chaos and disorder for how rowdy it was.

0:56.1

And after all, most American colonists considered themselves British, or at least subjects

1:00.9

of the British Empire.

1:02.6

But if you fast forward a decade later, by 1776, the United States is formally declaring

1:08.8

itself as a new nation in which all men are created equal.

1:12.3

They're able to put together a continental army that challenges the preeminent military

1:16.2

superpower and planet Earth.

1:18.4

Beyond that, many people are starting to consider themselves as Americans.

1:23.3

So how did so much change in 10 years?

1:27.0

You grew up in the United States, you learn about American history, and it's almost assumed

1:30.7

that there was this American identity that just needed to be woken up and triggered by

...

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