January Saturday Seminar - The Road to Independence: Defying the British During the Revolutionary War

 

January 17, 2026 - "The Road to Independence: Defying the British During the Revolutionary War" by Michael Strauss, MA, AG, AGL - This lecture examines the complexities of the American Revolutionary War and its immediate aftermath, tracing its origins in escalating colonial tensions with Great Britain through its conclusion in 1783. Drawing on a range of primary source materials, we will explore the individual and collective experiences of military service in both the Continental and state forces. In addition to analyzing compiled military service records, pension files, and land bounty warrants, the lecture will incorporate naval and marine documentation to construct a more comprehensive understanding of the conflict. The analysis extends beyond the war's conclusion to address the national emergencies of Shay’s Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion, framing them as critical moments in the new republic’s post-war trajectory.