Americans are preparing for an orgy of red, white and blue as the 250th anniversary of their Declaration of Independence draws near. But what’s not likely to be widely mentioned is the fact that the conflict wasn’t just a revolution against British rule, it was actually America’s first civil war – a bloody and divisive internal conflict. And those rebels who rejected the Crown and called themselves "patriots" were by no means in the majority when war broke out. Historians say understanding more about the conflict could help Americans come to terms with the issues they face today.

Guests:

Dr Maya Jasanoff – Professor of History, Harvard University

Dr Richard Bell – Professor of History, University of Maryland, College Park 

Dr Rebecca Brannon – Professor of History, James Maddison University