Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence

"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures."

In today's episode, we explore Grievance #11 in the Declaration of Independence, which condemns the deployment of British regular troops in American towns and cities during peacetime.

Topics include:

-the long British tradition disapproving of standing armies on British soil

-the long British tradition of allowing for political protest and dissent without fear of punishment by a standing army

-the cooperation between the British Army and Colonial militias during the 7 Years' War

-the reasons why King George deemed it necessary to station...

"Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren...They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, ENEMIES IN WAR, IN PEACE FRIENDS."

In this episode we explore Loyalist vs. Patriot Civil War during the Revolutionary War. Topics include:

-the outbreak of violence in Lexington and Concord in 1775 and the mustering of local militias, which forced Colonial men to decide whether they supported the revolution or the King

-the Sons of Liberty...

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, OUR FORTUNES, and our sacred Honor."

Why did the signers of the Declaration of Independence have to pledge their fortunes (their money) to the revolutionary cause?

How did unorthodox American ideas about money help win the Revolutionary War?

And were the Founding Fathers, in fact, the first crypto bros?

We explore these ideas in this episode about money, bills of credit, taxes and coinage in the 13 Colonies and the British Empire with economic historian...

In this episode, we explore the influence of Wales and Welsh immigrants on the Declaration of Independence with two expert guests from the University of Cardiff, Dr. Marion Loeffler and Dr. Huw Williams.

Topics include:

-the importance of preserving and expanding Welsh language and identity in the present

-an exploration of Welsh identity in the 1700s

-the tradition of Welsh religious dissenters which meshed with political non-conformity

-economic and political similarities and differences between Wales and Ireland in the 1700s

-confusions and conflations between English and Welsh identity

-an introduction to the Welsh philosopher Richard Price and his influence on...