Revolution Revisited

• Give Me Liberty: The Revolutionary Spring of 1775

  This revolution is this inherently radical thing, but it's being led by inherently moderate people.In this episode of Revolution Revisited, host Maggie Creech and guest Sam Florer delve into the pivotal events of 1775 that marked the transition from diplomatic efforts to armed conflict in the American Revolution. The discussion focuses on the formation of local militias, the enforcement of boycotts through committees of safety, and the influence of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” speech at the Second Virginia Convention. The conflict's spread from Massachusetts to Virginia underscores the collective push towards rebellion. Notably, Dunmore's removal of gunpowder and subsequent threats to free and arm enslaved people significantly escalated tensions, culminating in Virginia labeling Henry a rebel.Featured GuestSam Florer, Manager of Public Programs at Virginia Museum of History & Culture Sam holds a BA and MA in History from the College of William & Mary and has more than 10 years of experience working in museum settings, with a focus on education and public engagement. In his current role, Sam provides teacher professional development, assists students, and coordinates with statewide cultural institutions to implement the Virginia affiliate of National History Day, a nationwide historical research competition. He also manages a variety of public adult programs at the VMHC. In addition, he works as a historical researcher and writer, specializing in 18th and 19th century American history. Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction to Revolution Revisited 00:41 The Revolutionary Spring of 1775 01:48 Formation of Local Committees and Militias 09:24 The Second Virginia Convention 14:01 Patrick Henry's Fiery Resolutions 23:26 Escalating Tensions and Slave Rebellions 24:18 Colonial Resistance in Massachusetts 27:49 The Road to Lexington and Concord 30:19 The Alarm Spreads: Paul Revere's Midnight Ride 31:20 The Battle of Lexington: The First Shots Fired 32:11 Chaos at Concord: The Militia's Stand 33:24 The British Retreat: A Militia Victory 34:16 The Siege of Boston: War Begins 35:18 Virginia's Gunpowder Incident: Tensions Rise 42:24 Dunmore's Threats: A Colony on Edge 45:12 Patrick Henry's Militia: Marching to Williamsburg 49:01 The Road to Revolution: A Nation Divided 51:31 Conclusion: The Revolutionary Spring of 1775 Revolution Revisited™ is produced by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of William & Karen Fralin. © 2025 Virginia Museum of History & Culture

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  52:59
• A United Front: The First Continental Congress

  They wanted to make things right with the empire. They also wanted to protect their rights.In this episode of Revolution Revisited™, host Maggie Creech, along with expert John Ragosta, explores the First Continental Congress of 1774 and the significant contributions of Virginia. This episode discusses the early resistance efforts in Virginia, the formation and impact of Committees of Correspondence, and the subsequent unity among the colonies. Key figures such as Patrick Henry, Peyton Randolph, and George Washington are highlighted, as well as the major decisions made during the Congress, including the Suffolk Resolves and the Continental Association.  Featured GuestDr. John Ragosta, Fellow, Virginia Humanities John Ragosta, previously the acting director of the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello, is a fellow at Virginia Humanities. He has taught law and history at the University of Virginia, George Washington University, and Hamilton, Oberlin, and Randolph Colleges. Dr. Ragosta’s most recent book – For the People, For the Country: Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle – was released in August of 2023 by the University of Virginia Press. He is also the author of Religious Freedom: Jefferson’s Legacy, America’s Creed (UVA Press, 2013), Wellspring of Liberty (Oxford 2010), and other works. An award-winning author and frequent commentator, Ragosta holds both a PhD and a JD from the University of Virginia. Before returning to academia, Dr. Ragosta was a partner at Dewey Ballantine LLP. He is also a beekeeper. Show Notes:  00:00 Introduction to Revolution Revisited 00:41 Setting the Stage: Virginia's Role in Early Resistance 02:39 The Path to Unity: From Local Grievances to Continental Congress 04:45 The First Continental Congress: A Historic Gathering 08:34 Virginia's Influence and Key Figures 16:17 Debates and Decisions: Defining Colonial Rights 21:27 The Continental Association: Economic Strategy and Enforcement 30:49 Looking Ahead: The Road to Revolution 33:28 Conclusion Revolution Revisited™ is produced by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of William & Karen Fralin. © 2025 Virginia Museum of History & Culture

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  34:49
• Ink & Independence: The Power of Print

  The high literacy rates amongst colonists created the perfect environment for revolutionary ideas to take root.In this episode of Revolution Revisited™, host Maggie Creech explores the pivotal role of print culture in the American Revolution with guests Dr. James Herrera-Brookes & Dr. Cathy Hellier. Highlighting the contributions of trailblazing printer Clementina Rind and the impact of Thomas Jefferson's radical pamphlet 'A Summary View of the Rights of British America,' the episode delves into how literacy and printed materials like newspapers and pamphlets spread revolutionary ideas. The discussion covers the intellectual foundations of the Enlightenment, the logistics of 18th-century printing, and the far-reaching effects of disseminated ideas, even among enslaved populations. The episode emphasizes the transformative power of the written word in mobilizing and unifying colonial resistance against British rule. Featured Guests Dr. James Herrera-Brookes, Melanie Trent de Shutter Sr. Director of Research & Publications at VMHC  James is responsible for leadership of the VMHC’s library services, overall management of research and publications, and growing the library’s print collection. He holds an MRes and Ph.D. in American studies and history from the University of Nottingham, where he specialized in the American Civil War and American print and visual culture. James has held research fellowships at the Newberry Library, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Library of Congress. James’ doctoral research examined Civil War soldier-artists and the varied ways they pictured the conflict and has been published in Civil War History and Journal of American Studies. This work will form the basis of a forthcoming exhibition and publication by the VMHC.Dr. Cathleene B. Hellier, Senior Historian at Colonial Williamsburg FoundationCathy Hellier is currently Senior Historian at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, Virginia. Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, she joined the Foundation in 1978 as a historical interpreter. From 1979, she has worked in Historical Research at the Foundation. This department produces original research, primarily on Virginia during the colonial period, and supports programming in the Foundation’s Historic Area. Cathy has master’s degrees in Museum Education and American Studies and a doctorate in American Studies. Her dissertation is on enslaved male domestics in Virginia to 1800, and her other research interests include the politics and ideology of the American Revolution; the community of Williamsburg; history of the family; eighteenth-century English language; dance and deportment; and household management. She and her husband Ben have two grown children, Stephen and Katie. Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction to Revolution Revisited  00:41 The Power of Print in the 18th Century  01:54 Literacy and Print Culture in Colonial America  05:44 The Role of Newspapers and Pamphlets  15:04 Censorship and Challenges in Print  17:49 Clementina Rind: A Trailblazing Printer  23:34 Jefferson's Radical Pamphlet  29:20 Impact of Revolutionary Print on Enslaved People  34:11 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview Revolution Revisited™ is produced by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of William & Karen Fralin. © 2025 Virginia Museum of History & Culture

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  35:25
• Coercion to Convention: Organizing Resistance

  They've just kind of decided they're going to meet whether the governor says they're going to meet or not. They feel that this is a crisis.In this episode of Revolution Revisited™, host Maggie Creech explores the transformative year of 1774 in the Virginia colony with guest historian Dr. Cathy Hellier. Discover how Virginia's reaction to the Boston Tea Party and Britain's Coercive Acts led to a year full of drama and defiance, shaping the road to revolution. Learn about the symbolic act of a public day of fasting, the dissolution of the House of Burgesses, and the bold steps taken at the First Virginia Convention. This episode examines grassroots democracy and highlighting the economic sacrifices of non-importation and non-exportation agreements. It also reflects on the broader tensions between colonial self-governance and British parliamentary sovereignty that fueled the burgeoning conflict. Featured Guest: Dr. Cathleene B. Hellier, Senior Historian at Colonial Williamsburg FoundationCathy Hellier is currently Senior Historian at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, Virginia. Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, she joined the Foundation in 1978 as a historical interpreter. From 1979, she has worked in Historical Research at the Foundation. This department produces original research, primarily on Virginia during the colonial period, and supports programming in the Foundation’s Historic Area. Cathy has master’s degrees in Museum Education and American Studies and a doctorate in American Studies. Her dissertation is on enslaved male domestics in Virginia to 1800, and her other research interests include the politics and ideology of the American Revolution; the community of Williamsburg; history of the family; eighteenth-century English language; dance and deportment; and household management. She and her husband Ben have two grown children, Stephen and Katie. Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction to Revolution Revisited 00:38 Setting the Stage: Virginia in 1774 00:58 The Coercive Acts and Virginia's Response 04:00 Symbolic Defiance: A Day of Fasting and Prayer 07:34 The Dissolution of the House of Burgesses 09:53 The Raleigh Tavern Meeting and Non-Importation Agreement 12:34 The First Virginia Convention 13:54 Colonial Perspectives on Power and Rights 26:33 Non-Importation and Non-Exportation: Economic Resistance 35:00 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview Revolution Revisited™ is produced by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of William & Karen Fralin. © 2025 Virginia Museum of History & Culture

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  37:38
• Taxes & Tea: Tensions Mount

  What was supposed to be a decade of peace and prosperity actually is the road to revolution.In this episode of Revolution Revisited™, host Maggie Creech and guest historian Dr. Richard Bell delve into the critical decade leading up to the American Revolution, from 1763 to 1773.As Britain grappled with post-war financial crisis, its new taxation policies on the American colonies ignited simmering tensions and widespread defiance. Explore key events including the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, and the Townshend Acts, and learn how these taxes led to colonial protests, boycotts, and a growing demand for representation. Discover the pivotal moments of intercolonial unity and resistance that set the stage for the revolution. This episode highlights not just the economic grievances but the burgeoning American identity and the quest for rights and freedom that would define a nation.Featured Guest:Dr. Richard Bell, Professor of History at the University of Maryland & AuthorRichard Bell is Professor of History at the University of Maryland and author of the book Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home which was a finalist for the George Washington Prize and the Harriet Tubman Prize. He has held major research fellowships at Yale, Cambridge, and the Library of Congress and is the recipient of the National Endowment of the Humanities Public Scholar award and the Andrew Carnegie Fellowship. He serves as a Trustee of the Maryland Center for History and Culture and as a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction to Revolution Revisited 01:36 Setting the Stage: Post-War Financial Crisis 04:53 Colonial Reactions to British Taxation 07:42 The Sugar Act and Its Impact 10:05 The Stamp Act: A Direct Tax on Daily Life 13:55 Patrick Henry and the Virginia Resolves 28:52 The Townshend Acts and Colonial Boycotts 38:34 The Tea Act and the Boston Tea Party 43:50 The Coercive Acts and Rising Tensions 47:55 Conclusion and Next Episode  Revolution Revisited™ is produced by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of William & Karen Fralin. © 2025 Virginia Museum of History & Culture

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  49:16

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