When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, what was the rest of the planet actually up to? In this episode of Boyfriend Explains, Ethan and Patrick are zooming out from Philadelphia to look at the global stage during America's founding year. As we cross the America 250 milestone, we’re breaking down the massive worldwide context that text books usually leave out.

We’re diving into the geopolitical chess match of the late 18th century, tracing the aggressive expansion of the British Empire, the subterranean rumblings of the French Revolution, and the global power shifts that directly impacted the Revolutionary War. From Enlightenment philosophy spreading across Europe to global trade networks being rewritten overnight, we're exploring the incredible diversity of global events that collided to shape our national story. Tune in for a mind-bending historical deep dive that proves 1776 was way bigger than just thirteen colonies.