What really happened in the American War of Independence?
I enjoy reading history books and watching television programmes on history and I recently caught the first segment of BBC Four’s series “American History’s Biggest Fibs With Lucy Worsley” which dealt with the American War of Independence.
I don’t like the way Worsley feels compelled to dress up in period costume, but she has an interesting take on history which she defines as “the knitting together of rival interpretations”.
So, as regards the War of Independence, she reveals that Paul Revere never made it to Concord, the Liberty Bell wasn’t rung at the declaration of independence, and George Washington was a slave owner, and explains that the patriots could never have won without the support of the French.
I once read an excellent book on the American War of Independence, from which I learned a lot, and you can read my review here.