Why did the American Revolution begin with armed conflict in 1775, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence? What was the significance of Lexington and Concord, and how did these events set the stage for what would become a bitter struggle for independence? In this episode of This Constitution, host Matthew Brogdon is joined by renowned historian Professor Jeremy Black to dive deep into the history of these pivotal moments.

Together, they explore how the conflict in Lexington and Concord was not just about a small skirmish but the spark that ignited the broader American Revolution. They discuss the political, social, and military context, the role of loyalists, and the challenges faced by both the British and colonists as they reluctantly moved toward war.

With historical anecdotes, constitutional analysis, and insightful perspectives on the American struggle for independence, this episode provides a comprehensive understanding of one of the most critical moments in American history.

In This Episode

• (00:00:00) Introduction to the significance of Lexington and Concord
• (00:01:24) The context of 1775: Why the Revolution began a year before 1776
• (00:03:00) The causes of the conflict: The British attempt to seize weapons
• (00:05:15) Loss of civilian control and the rise of military governance in Boston
• (00:07:45) The cultural and political divides in the American colonies
• (00:09:00) The role of loyalists and differing views on rebellion
• (00:11:10) The Boston Tea Party’s impact and how it shaped colonial resistance
• (00:13:00) The militarization of the British response post-Boston Tea Party
• (00:16:20) How the events of 1775 escalated into broader conflict
• (00:18:30) The significance of bravery at Lexington and Concord
• (00:21:00) The broader implications of the early American victories
• (00:23:00) The transition from political resistance to full-blown war
• (00:25:00) Conclusion: How Lexington and Concord set the stage for the American Revolution

Notable Quotes

[00:01:24]
 "What went wrong was, as we all know, a British attempt to take over an illegal arms dump leads to resistance." – Jeremy Black

[00:18:30]
 "It shows considerable fortitude, and I think fortitude is a key element because some people were clearly, we know from all sorts of an analysis of people that fight, that many of them are frightened, some of them are terrified." – Jeremy Black

[00:21:00]
 "The regulars were also brave men, and we should never forget that." – Jeremy Black

[00:19:00] 

"What I'm gaining from your description of this is that the American Revolution presents us with a kind of tension. We've had an American identity that developed through a kind of self-government that had happened in some colonies in New England for 150 years, since the 1630s." -Matthew Brogdon

Resources and Links

This Constitution  

• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-constitution/id1771900485
• https://www.youtube.com/@centerforconstitutionalstu8915/videos

Jeremy Black 

https://jeremyblackhistorian.wordpress.com/

Matthew Brogdon

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-brogdon/
• https://www.uvu.edu/ccs/people/matthew_brogdon.html