The most radical thing about the American Revolution? The sudden politicisation of colonial women, argues Dr Carol Berkin, author of "Revolutionary Mothers" and one of the preeminent historians of women in the early United States. Women were the main organisers of the boycotts of British goods, which fanned the flames of revolution. They were involved in every aspect of the war – except in high politics, from which they were barred.

Sign up for the newsletter at www.broadhistory.com.

Listen early and without ads. Become a member at www.broadhistory.com/membership.

On this episode:

• Isabelle Roughol - Host
• Carol Berkin - Guest

• Read & comment at broadhistory.com
• Email me: isa@broadhistory.com

Jump to:

• (00:00) - S2 Ep01 Carol Berkin
• (04:18) - Meet Carol Berkin
• (04:24) - The three principles of colonial America's patriarchal society
• (09:05) - The permanent childhood of women
• (11:50) - The roots of revolution in the French and Indian war
• (17:00) - Boycotts, liberty cloth and the political radicalisation of women
• (24:03) - Loyalist women
• (26:32) - Break
• (28:38) - The revolution was the real Civil War
• (30:50) - The South bore the brunt of the fighting
• (33:42) - War is everywhere and women can't sit it out
• (36:39) - The heroism of ordinary people
• (38:08) - Riders and Spies: how women used being underestimated to serve the revolution
• (38:47) - Sybil Ludington
• (40:48) - Lydia Darragh
• (43:12) - Valley Forge and the army's instant cities
• (44:34) - Camp followers
• (46:17) - How laundresses saved Washington's army
• (49:08) - Molly Pitcher and women in combat
• (52:17) - Deborah Sampson
• (55:39) - Women Everywhere Except Politics

Click here to view the episode transcript.