About this episode

The episode explores the perspective of the Delaware people during the American Revolution, focusing on their history and the implications of the War for Independence.

In December 1776, a Delaware Chief named White Eyes stood before the Second Continental Congress. He had not come to declare himself a revolutionary, nor had he come to pledge his loyalty to King George III. White Eyes came to test a promise. What does the American Revolution look like to people for whom independence was never a question? For the Delaware, also known as the Lenape, the War for Independence raised older and harder questions: Whose word could be trusted? What choices can we make about whether to fight, stay neutral, or flee that might let our community remain itself on the land we know? Jeremy Johnson, Cultural Education Director for the Delaware Tribe of Indians, traces Lenape and Delaware history from long before European contact through the American Revolution. He also introduces us to the September 1778 Treaty of Fort Pitt, the first treaty the United States made with a Native Nation and which promised a 14th Native state. Delaware Tribe of Indians’ Website Show Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/450 EPISODE OUTLINE 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:35 The Lenape Experience of the American Revolution 00:07:56 Lenape History and Indigenous Origin Stories…

People in this episode

Host: Liz Covart

Guest: Jeremy Johnson

Topics covered

• Delaware history
• American Revolution
• Indigenous perspectives
• Lenape culture
• diplomacy
• treaties

Keywords

• Delaware
• Lenape
• American Revolution
• treaty
• diplomacy
• Indigenous history
• White Eyes
• King George III

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Delaware Tribe of Indians

Places: Delaware

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