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The Rest Is HistoryJuly 10, 2023

349: The Birth of the United States (Part 3)

About This Episode
“O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth!” The U.S. Congress votes for independence on the 2nd of July 1776, and George Washington reads the Declaration of Independence to his troops a few days later, after which they pull down the statue of George III in New York, melting it down to make bullets. The king is now the target of the revolutionaries’ grievances, it is no longer the British Parliament. In Episode 3 of our series on the American Revolution, Tom, Dominic and Professor Adam Smith explore the importance and impact of the Declaration of Independence, the role of King George III, and the effect of France’s involvement. The Rest Is History Club members can listen to the full series now. Join The Rest Is History Club on Apple podcasts or at www.restishistorypod.com for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows, and access to an exclusive chatroom community. *The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in London, New Zealand, and Australia! Buy your tickets here: restishistorypod.com Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith
Book Mentions
3 book mentions in this episode.
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Books Mentioned

Common Sense cover
Common Sense
Thomas Paine

Common Sense is a pamphlet by Thomas Paine that argues for American independence and republicanism, published in January 1776. It had a massive impact and was widely circulated across the colonies.

ASIN: 1441344136
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Declaration of Independence cover

Jefferson is a very interesting figure. The closest the American Revolution comes to a kind of Robespierrean figure, although in a way that's rather flattering to Jefferson.

ASIN: 1557094489
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Holton's book cover
Holton's book
Woody Holton

there's a brilliant comment, though, in Holton's book, where he describes how John Adams, again, writes about this decision on the 2nd of July to declare independence.

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