cover of episode How Did the American Revolution Start?

How Did the American Revolution Start?

2025/4/20
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Dan Snow's History Hit
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This chapter explores the historical context leading up to the American Revolution, focusing on the growing tensions between Great Britain and its American colonies. It discusses key factors such as taxation without representation, the Boston Tea Party, and the Intolerable Acts, highlighting the colonists' increasing desire for autonomy and self-governance.
  • Growing tensions between Great Britain and its American colonies.
  • Taxation without representation.
  • The Boston Tea Party.
  • The Intolerable Acts.
  • Colonists' increasing desire for autonomy and self-governance.

Shownotes Transcript

On 19th April, 1775, just over 250 years ago, the opening salvos of the American Revolutionary War were fired at the battles of Lexington and Concord. Elite British Redcoats went head-to-head with the famed provincial Minutemen in bloody skirmishes across the Province of Massachusetts Bay. Ultimately, the British were forced to retreat, and the provincial victory galvanised colonial support for the cause of independence.

In today's Explainer episode, Dan travels to the sites of these momentous battles and takes us through that day from beginning to end - how did a political crisis transform into open rebellion, and what would it have been like to actually be there?

Written and produced by Dan Snow, and edited by Dougal Patmore.

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