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In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, host Jonathan Thomas engages historian John Ferling in a deep exploration of the American Revolution, emphasizing its global implications and the international dynamics that shaped the conflict. Ferling discusses his extensive research, the surprising elements he uncovered, and the various perspectives from both American and British sides. The conversation also delves into the role of France in the revolution, the impact of propaganda, and the reasons behind Britain’s eventual defeat.
Links
- Shots Heard Around the World Book Link (Amazon)
- Shots Heart Around the World Book Link (Bookshop.org)
- John Ferling’s Website
- Friends of Anglotopia Club
Takeaways
- The American Revolution was a global conflict involving multiple powers.
- John Ferling’s career as a historian began with a transformative college course.
- Research revealed significant internal dissent in Britain during the war.
- The Boston Tea Party marked a turning point in British-American relations.
- Colonial unity was underestimated by British leaders.
- The role of propaganda was crucial in shaping public opinion on both sides.
- France’s secret aid was motivated by a desire for revenge against Britain.
- The French alliance was solidified after the American victory at Saratoga.
- The British military strategy was hampered by logistical challenges.
- Ultimately, Britain’s resources were insufficient to sustain a global war.
Soundbites
- “The American Revolution wasn’t just fought in North America—there was fighting in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, on the subcontinent. It really was a global war and a very long war… America’s longest war until the war in Vietnam.” – John Ferling
- “I didn’t realize that there was as much internal dissension and opposition to the war in Great Britain. By the time a couple of years had gone by, it began to appear as though this was a sinkhole that the British had gotten into… In a sense, it reminded me of the opposition to the war in Vietnam.” – John Ferling
- “Even after the war began for more than a year, about 13-14 months after the war began, the majority of delegates in Congress still were in favor of reconciliation with Britain. They weren’t pushing for independence.” – John Ferling
- “The Boston Tea Party makes it sound like a lark, but the fact was that in today’s currency, millions of dollars in private property had been destroyed. After that, the mood in England is really to get tough.” – John Ferling
- “What surprised me about Lord North was that he’s kind of like the proverbial man riding on the back of a tiger. He can’t get off the tiger without being destroyed.” – John Ferling
- “When you go to war, it’s like opening the door into a dark room. You don’t know what’s in that room. And there’s always some surprises.” – John Ferling
- “The British underestimated just the size of America… It’s a very large continent. And it was so large, in fact, that the Royal Navy, strongest Navy in the world at the time, really could not maintain the embargo that it tried to impose on American trade.” – John Ferling
- “The French believed that the real source of British strength that had enabled Britain to win the Seven Years War was their possession of the American colonies… If the colonists would break away, become independent, then Britain would lose that source of wealth and France would be able to gain its revenge.” – John Ferling
Chapters
- 00:00 Exploring the American Revolution’s Global Impact
- 05:28 John Ferling’s Journey as a Historian
- 10:18 Research Insights and Surprises
- 16:22 The Importance of Multiple Perspectives
- 18:22 Inevitability of the American Revolution
- 25:53 Points of No Return in the Conflict
- 29:45 The British Response to Colonial Trade
- 31:21 Opposition to the War in Britain
- 36:15 Underestimating American Resistance
- 42:28 The Role of Propaganda in the War
- 45:41 France’s Secret Aid to the Americans
- 52:56 France’s Open Support for the Revolution
- 56:50 Why Britain Lost the War
- 01:03:00 anglotopia-podcast-outro.mp4