Monticello hosts a conversation with president Thomas Jefferson portrayed by bill barker. He recalls events that led to the decision by the 13 colonies to break with Great Britain. He then explains how he was involved in creating the declaration of independence and what he hopes americans might learn from it. This video is courtesy of Thomas Jeffersons monticello in charlottesville, virginia. Thomas jefferson oh, my, i have finished. Welcome to monticello. Aslight, as you refer to patriots day, nothing could please us more in virginia than to be reminded about our original associations with massachusetts. Yes, patriots day is something that we are happy to be reminded of, as i know all of our friends in massachusetts continue to be reminded of that occasion in which the citizen body there stood staunchly against the encroachments of the british upon their rights, upon their property. If i remember, it occurred in three particular villages. Lexington and concord, and let it not be forgo
Stood staunchly against the further encroachments of the british upon their rights, upon their property. If i remember, it occurred in three particular villages. Lexington and concord, and let it not be forgotten, menotomy. I believe that they now refer to menotomy as arlington. And i hope it is not forgotten because that is the one of the three where the british actually surrendered. I think they lost about 25 souls that day, but, overall, amongst the three villages, 500 british lost their lives. I was here at monticello, and i started on my way to williamsburg. From williamsburg, i was then going to journey to philadelphia for the second Continental Congress. Well, i had been very much, at that time, in the spring of 1775, considering to remain an englishman. I was proud of it. I did not care for independency. I desired to continue dependency. Great britain provided a safety and defense, particularly on the frontier. But it was that day in april of 1775 which i will never forget. Cut
Us, a little about history in the park service. So since he retired dr. Pitcaithley teaches at new mexico state university. He teaches public history and Civil War History. He had a book that came out this week, the u. S. Constitution and secession, a documentary anthology of slavery and White Supremacy. So it is my distinct pleasure and honor to introduce you to dr. Dwight pitcaithley. Nick promised he wasnt going to include the rock star part, but best laid plans. Thank you for coming tonight. Thanks to nick for that wonderful introduction, thanks to the grant site for hosting this event. Im going to talk for about 25 or 30 minutes and then turn it over to you so you can talk about whatever you want to talk about, and we hope that during my time ive been provocative enough that we can have a conversation that goes on for another 30 or 45 minutes. Robert penn warren, who many of you know threetime Pulitzer Prize winner, wrote in 1961 at the centennial of the war that the civil war is
Director of the civil war era studies program. He did his graduate work in history at the university of pennsylvania, where he focused on the history of religion. He also has holds a master of divinity degree. His roster of publications is so long that im not going to even try to read them all to you. You can go to allen guelzo. Com and get a full accounting of not only his publications, but other salient elements of his biography and doings. What im going to do here is mention five books that i think are especially pertinent to what well be doing this afternoon, and ill just read it. Abraham lincoln redeemer president , 1998 and won the first of allens lincoln prizes. Lincolns emancipation proclamation, end of slavery in america, published by simon and schuster in 2004 brought him his second lincoln prize. Lincoln and douglas that defined america, simon and schuster 2008 for some reason didnt win the lincoln prize. Fateful lightning, new history of the civil war and reconstruction cam
War history. All at the university of virginia. Thankfully, shes not a hockey buff. I dont believe she is. She said, go caps. What has happened to the American Sports scene . I dont know. I never thought in a civil war conference people would be jawing about hockey. Such is life. A very accomplished scholar. Shes published a number of books, including we mean to be counted, white women and the politics in antebellum virginia. This union, one of my favorite overviews of the 1850s. Published by university of North Carolina press. Victory, defeat and freedom at the end of the civil war, published by oxford. Its an outstanding book. Its a way to look beyond the surrender proceedings and material culture, visual culture. How it resided in american memory. Its outstanding. I cant say enough good things about it. Today, subject of her talk, she published true story of Elizabeth Van lew, a union agent in the heart of the confederacy. [ applause ] i bring you greetings from virginia and im deli