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Ben Franklin's World

@bfworld.bsky.social
372 followers 21 following 1.1K posts

🔍 Curious about the past? So are we! 🎧 Join award-winning historian @lizcovart@bsky.social as we time-travel through early America to uncover the people, ideas & stories that shaped our world. New eps every other Tuesday! 🇺🇸 #HistoryMatters

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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 52m
🎙️ Episode 452 of BFW explores: - Definitions of loyalism and our present-day misconceptions - How committees, crowds, and neighbors identified Loyalists - How revolutionaries stripped Loyalist families of their honor 🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/452 #America250 #Revolution250
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 3h
🎙️ Episode 451 of BFW explores: - Why grand narratives overlook how ordinary people experienced the Revolution - The difference between political and cultural independence - Competing British and American ideas about honor
benfranklinsworld.com
Episode 451: David Henley's Court-Martial and The American Revolution on Trial - Ben Franklin's World
Timothy Breen investigates John Burgoyne's court-martial of David Henry and what it meant to be American after independence from the British.
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 4h
🎙️ In, Episode 452, you’ll discover: - Why one woman lost her home despite never calling herself a loyalist - How crowds identified suspected loyalists in their communities - How the threat of assault shaped women's daily fears during the war 🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/452
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 6h
"Allegiance in this period is far more fluid than people realize today." - Timothy Compeau What made someone a loyalist? Ep. 452 investigates how crowds and neighbors identified loyalists and what revolutionaries did to strip loyalist families of their honor. 🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/452
benfranklinsworld.com
Episode 452: How Everyday Loyalists Experienced the American Revolution - Ben Franklin's World
Understand the American Revolution through Loyalist eyes and explore how everyday Loyalists experienced the Revolution.
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 20h
In our award-winning podcast, you sit in on conversations with the historians doing this work.  It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn. Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers. Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot. William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
A British general surrendered at Saratoga, then demanded to prosecute an American colonel in an American court-martial. The Americans agreed. Hear the full story in episode 451 of Ben Franklin's World. 🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451 #Revolution250 #America250
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
250 years after the Declaration, we're still reckoning with what the founders chose not to say. Jefferson's cut grievance has a great deal to tell us about who early Americans were and the choices they knew they were making. #America250 #Revolution250 www.benfranklinsworld.com/440
benfranklinsworld.com
Episode 440: Brooke Newman, Jefferson's Cut Grievance and the British Monarchy's Role in Slavery - Ben Franklin's World
Brooke Newman examines Jefferson's cut slavery grievance from the Declaration of Independence and the British Crown's role in the slave trade.
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Have you ever cut a story short because the person you were with didn’t share your enthusiasm for early American history?  Well, no more. There’s a whole club of us. Find your people in the History Explorers Club www.historyexplorers.club/
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
🎙️ Episode 451 of BFW explores: - Details of John Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga - The incidents that led to John Burgoyne serving as chief prosecutor in an American military court - How Americans debated what their culture would look like after independence 🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
The History Explorers Club is a virtual community for curious adults who explore, discuss, and indulge in early American history.  Curiosity is our only membership requirement www.historyexplorers.club/
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
The newest historical research does recovers the stories of people the record overlooked.  Ben Franklin's World and Clio Digital Media work to make sure that history isn't hidden behind paywalls. Help us keep it free, and make room for more of it. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot. William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Can a failed dream shape history? The Nicaraguan canal was never built, but its dream influenced U.S. diplomacy, Latin American politics, and the Panama Canal. This week on Ben Franklin’s World: the power of dreams that didn’t come true. 🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/428
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
History Belongs to Everyone. Ben Franklin's World is a part of a nonprofit, Clio Digital Media, that believes in bringing more history to the public. As 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so much of our support comes from listeners and readers like you. Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot. William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Connect with other history lovers in the History Explorers Club. There you’ll have access to: - Town Halls - Workshops - Historian Talks  - Book Club - Spontaneous History Conversations  Find your people at www.historyexplorers.club/
010
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
🔥 Was Dunmore’s Proclamation a promise of freedom… or a political weapon? The 250th anniversary is here, and we’re unpacking the full story. 🎧 Listen & decide: benfranklinsworld.com/424 #Dunmore #Revolution250 #Virginia250 #USHistory #AmericanRevolution
benfranklinsworld.com
Episode 424: Andrew Lawler, Dunmore's Proclamation & the American Revolution in Virginia
In honor of the 250th anniversary of Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation and the American Revolution in Virginia, which he helped fuel.
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
🎙️ New episode T. H. Breen explores Burgoyne's demands, Henley's trial, the public's response, and the question: What did it actually feel like, in real towns among real people, to stop being British? What did it mean to be American? Listen to episode 451: www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Do history-related questions keep you up at night? If so, you belong in the History Explorers Club. It’s your place to connect with fellow history lovers, dig deeper into the past, and explore our shared curiosity together.  Find your people at www.historyexplorers.club/
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
🎙️ Episode 451 of BFW explores: - Why grand narratives overlook how ordinary people experienced the Revolution - The difference between political and cultural independence - Competing British and American ideas about honor
benfranklinsworld.com
Episode 451: David Henley's Court-Martial and The American Revolution on Trial - Ben Franklin's World
Timothy Breen investigates John Burgoyne's court-martial of David Henry and what it meant to be American after independence from the British.
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Coming Tuesday: A new episode of Ben Franklin's World! Our three guests will help us investigate the American Revolution through everyday Loyalist, and suspected Loyalist eyes. Don't miss the episode, subscribe to our newsletter: ben-franklin-s-world-2.kit.com/profile
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
In our award-winning podcast, you sit in on conversations with the historians doing this work.  It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn. Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers. Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot. William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
John Adams in Amsterdam. Benjamin Franklin in Paris. Two founders, two diplomatic styles, one template. And a gap between vision and reality that tells us everything about how the Revolution actually worked. Discover the Model Treaty. 🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/444 #America250 #Revolution250
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
If exploring the Founding Era’s big, tangled questions fires up your curiosity then you belong in the History Explorers Club! It's is a virtual community for curious adults to explore early American history. We’ll even applaud and thank you when you bring up a cool historical fact.
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The newest historical research does recovers the stories of people the record overlooked.  Ben Franklin's World and Clio Digital Media work to make sure that history isn't hidden behind paywalls. Help us keep it free, and make room for more of it. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot. William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
From hearth to high table, Black chefs influenced early American cuisine in powerful ways. 🍲 In Ep. 404 of Ben Franklin’s World, learn how African American culinary traditions helped shape the nation. 🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/404 #BlackHistory #VastEarlyAmerica #History #USHistory
benfranklinsworld.com
Episode 404: Diane M. Spivey, How Black Chefs Shaped Early America
Discover how African American cooking influenced colonial success and the American Revolution. Culinary historian Diane M. Spivey reveals the untold story of Black culinary activism.
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
In Ep. 391 of Ben Franklin’s World, Katie Schinabeck explores how laws were made, enforced, and lived in one of Britain’s most influential colonies. 🎧 benfranklinsworld.com391 #VastEarlyAmerica #History
benfranklinsworld.com
Episode 391: Katie Schinabeck, Government in Colonial Virginia
Katie Schinabeck takes us on a tour of Williamsburg’s colonial capitol to explore how the government of colonial Virginia worked and operated.
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
In December 1777, a Continental colonel struck a drunk British prisoner with his sword. The wound was minor.  A British general called it a plot to murder prisoners, and demanded a court-martial.  Hear the story in ep 451. #Revolution250 #America250
benfranklinsworld.com
Episode 451: David Henley's Court-Martial and The American Revolution on Trial - Ben Franklin's World
Timothy Breen investigates John Burgoyne's court-martial of David Henry and what it meant to be American after independence from the British.
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Who were the Hessians—and why did Britain send them to fight in the American Revolution? ⚔️🇩🇪 Explore their role, experience, and legacy in this feature from Ben Franklin’s World: 🔗 benfranklinsworld.com/382 #Hessians #VastEarlyAmerica #History
benfranklinsworld.com
Episode 382: Friederike Baer, Hessians in the American Revolutionary War
Friederike reveals why we should refer to the German soldiers who fought in the American Revolution as “German soldiers” instead of “Hessian"
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
A British general surrendered at Saratoga, then demanded to prosecute an American colonel in an American court-martial. The Americans agreed. Hear the full story in episode 451 of Ben Franklin's World. 🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451 #Revolution250 #America250
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
History Belongs to Everyone. Ben Franklin's World is a part of a nonprofit, Clio Digital Media, that believes in bringing more history to the public. As 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so much of our support comes from listeners and readers like you. Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot. William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
🎙️ Episode 451 of BFW explores: - Details of John Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga - The incidents that led to John Burgoyne serving as chief prosecutor in an American military court - How Americans debated what their culture would look like after independence 🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
In our award-winning podcast, you sit in on conversations with the historians doing this work.  It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn. Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers. Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot. William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
In Episode 126, Rebecca Brannon joined us to explore how South Carolina moved from banishing Loyalists and confiscating their property in 1782 to offering Loyalists clemency. benfranklinsworld.com/126
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
thank you for listening!
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Reposted by Ben Franklin's World
Anna O. Law @unlawfulentries.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Had bookmarked this and just now listened. Fantastic episode. The enslavement of Native Americans was based on *where* they were. They were on land that settler Americans wanted. It was qualitatively distinct from the enslavement of African Americans and those differences need to be understood.
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
🎙️ New episode T. H. Breen explores Burgoyne's demands, Henley's trial, the public's response, and the question: What did it actually feel like, in real towns among real people, to stop being British? What did it mean to be American? Listen to episode 451: www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Independence wasn't declared on July 4th. It was voted on July 2, 1776. But the real story begins on June 7th, with Richard Henry Lee's three-part resolution that set the colonies on a definitive path. 🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/443 #America250 #Revolution250 #USHistory #History
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
🎙️ Episode 451 of BFW explores: - Why grand narratives overlook how ordinary people experienced the Revolution - The difference between political and cultural independence - Competing British and American ideas about honor
benfranklinsworld.com
Episode 451: David Henley's Court-Martial and The American Revolution on Trial - Ben Franklin's World
Timothy Breen investigates John Burgoyne's court-martial of David Henry and what it meant to be American after independence from the British.
010
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“I mean he really doesn't miss an opportunity to call into question the legitimacy of the American culture and the whole revolution.” Ep. 451 with T. H. Breen investigates why John Burgoyne's demand to serve as prosecutor in an American military court were met. 🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The newest historical research does recovers the stories of people the record overlooked.  Ben Franklin's World and Clio Digital Media work to make sure that history isn't hidden behind paywalls. Help us keep it free, and make room for more of it. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot. William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
In December 1777, a Continental colonel struck a drunk British prisoner with his sword. The wound was minor.  A British general called it a plot to murder prisoners, and demanded a court-martial.  Hear the story in ep 451. #Revolution250 #America250
benfranklinsworld.com
Episode 451: David Henley's Court-Martial and The American Revolution on Trial - Ben Franklin's World
Timothy Breen investigates John Burgoyne's court-martial of David Henry and what it meant to be American after independence from the British.
010
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
In 1776, the founders faced a specific challenge: how does a new nation enter the international community under the Law of Nations? What makes a nation "treaty worthy?" John Adams's answer was built on commerce, not conquest. "Free ships make free goods." 🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/444
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Have you ever cut a story short because the person you were with didn’t share your enthusiasm for early American history?  Well, no more. There’s a whole club of us. Find your people in the History Explorers Club www.historyexplorers.club/
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A British general surrendered at Saratoga, then demanded to prosecute an American colonel in an American court-martial. The Americans agreed. Hear the full story in episode 451 of Ben Franklin's World. 🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451 #Revolution250 #America250
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The History Explorers Club is a virtual community for curious adults who explore, discuss, and indulge in early American history.  Curiosity is our only membership requirement www.historyexplorers.club/
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
History Belongs to Everyone. Ben Franklin's World is a part of a nonprofit, Clio Digital Media, that believes in bringing more history to the public. As 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so much of our support comes from listeners and readers like you. Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot. William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The filmmakers behind Ken Burns’ The American Revolution say they didn’t set out to make an argument. They made a discovery. What will YOU discover when you revisit the Revolution through their lens? 🎧 Listen here: benfranklinsworld.com/425 #KenBurnsPBS #AmericanRevolution $Revolution250
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
In our award-winning podcast, you sit in on conversations with the historians doing this work.  It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn. Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers. Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot. William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
010
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Connect with other history lovers in the History Explorers Club. There you’ll have access to: - Town Halls - Workshops - Historian Talks  - Book Club - Spontaneous History Conversations  Find your people at www.historyexplorers.club/
000
Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
🗣️ “Drivers can’t just crack down. They risk rebellion. But they can’t go soft—they risk losing everything. It’s a war.” —Historian Randy Browne Want more insight like this? Listen to Ep. 418 of Ben Franklin’s World: benfranklinsworld.com/418 #EarlyAmerica #History #BFW
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Ben Franklin's World @bfworld.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
🎙️ Episode 451 of BFW explores: - Details of John Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga - The incidents that led to John Burgoyne serving as chief prosecutor in an American military court - How Americans debated what their culture would look like after independence 🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
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