Welcome back to SNAFUBAR!
Over the course of each episode, SNAFUBAR will look at stories from military history and particular moments of U.S. military blunders with added context that can be used by and is accessible to a wide range of audiences. The histories we will look at will make clear the degree to which the U.S. is a warful nation, contrary to the myth of a peaceful nation forced into combat. And we’ll try to clarify the degree to which we romanticize and fetishize the military while not really providing the support that service members need for their time in, or for their return.
At the beginning of this week's episode, please enjoy the dulcet tones of Jeff Crane (co-host) and Liam Salcuni (writer/researcher) as they sing the first few bars of History Has It's Eyes on You from the musical Hamilton, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. This song resonates with much of what has been discussed in our episodes about George Washington so far; his youth, the mistakes he made and his ability to reflect and learn as he continued to grow as a leader.
And this is the third episode in our three part series on George Washington entitled The French Empire Strikes Back. We will discuss the fall out from the Battle of Jumonville Glen, lead up to and Battle of Fort Necessity itself and how Washington was obsessed with status and wants to prove himself as a means to propel his career as a military officer.
SNAFUBAR is hosted by Sara Hart, who teaches Religious Studies at Cal Poly Humboldt, and Jeff Crane who is an Environmental Historian and Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Cal Poly Humboldt.
Research and writing for the show by Liam Salcuni and Roman Sotomayor
SNAFUBAR is produced by Abigail Smithson and brought to you by the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Cal Poly Humboldt.
Works Cited:
Mount Vernon Ladies Association
American Battlefield Trust
George Washington and the American Military Tradition by Don Higginbotham
Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution by Woody Holton
The Dominion of War: Empire and Liberty in North America by Andrew Cayton & Fred Anderson
Tanacharison, Tanahisson, Thanayieson (the Half King),” by Johonerissa in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 3.
The Black Robe
As referenced in the podcast, here is the full quote Washington wrote to John Hancock in 1776 that was read in the podcast:
“To place any dependance upon Militia, is, assuredly, resting upon a broken staff. Men just dragged from the tender Scenes of domestick life—unaccustomed to the din of Arms—totally unacquainted with every kind of Military skill, which being followed by a want of Confidence in themselves when opposed to Troops regularly traind—disciplined, and appointed—superior in knowledge, & superior in Arms, makes them timid, and ready to fly from their own Shadows. Besides, the sudden change in their manner of living (particularly in the lodging) brings on sickness in many; impatience in all; & such an unconquerable desire of returning to their respective homes that it not only produces shameful, & scandalous Desertions among themselves, but infuses the like spirit in others—Again, Men accustomed to unbounded freedom, and no control, cannot brooke the Restraint which is indispensably necessary to the good Order and Government of an Army.”
