Was the Revolutionary War America’s First Civil War?
As an American in the 21st century, it’s incredibly easy to look back on the Revolutionary War and joke about the "redcoats," but would you really have been a patriot if you lived at that time? In a special episode of Fabric of History, Mary is joined by Dr. Rebecca Brannon, Associate Professor of History and Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and author of "From Revolution to Reunion: The Reintegration of the South Carolina Loyalists," to take a closer look at the reasons why people chose to side as patriots or loyalists, or why they may have decided to walk the challenging tightrope of neutrality. What are some examples of regular citizens navigating this difficult time, and what happened to them after the Revolution? What unique challenges did the Revolution pose for minorities and women?