Show Notes
“Marat posed a difficult challenge for Lafayette—a difficult challenge for any free society. Lafayette was committed to the principle of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, but here was a journalist using fanatical lies and scurrilous accusations to incite the population to mass murder.” Mike Duncan
“Lafayette’s unique position at the center of the action meant, as Paris polarized, his attempt to hold the center offended everyone.” Mike Duncan
Mike Duncan is one of the godfathers of historical podcasting. He began podcasting before most people had any clue what the podcasting medium even entailed. His History of Rome and Revolutions are among the most popular historical podcasts ever created. And when he is not recording, Mike is busy writing best-selling books such as The Storm Before the Storm and Hero of Two Worlds. In this whirlwind of productivity, Mike was gracious enough to find some time to sit with me for a conversation about the life of Gilbert du Motier, better known as Marquis de Lafayette.
Lafayette is a rather wild historical figure, since he played a key role in two of the main revolutions that changed the destiny of the West—the American and the French revolutions. Rather than trying to summarize his eventful life in a few lines, I’ll invite you to join in to listen to this discussion breaking down what makes Lafayette such a fascinating character.
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Government That Doesn't Suck is a Rewind Studios original podcast from the creators of History That Doesn't Suck, hosted by Professors Lindsey Cormack and Greg Jackson. Each episode digs into the surprising story of an American institution — from the origins of the internet, to the National Park Service, to the GI Bill, and so much more. You'll hear the stories behind them, plus a conversation with an expert who knows it inside and out. New episodes release every other Monday. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or subscribe on YouTube for full video episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“I ask you why we must tear ourselves apart for this small question of religion?” from the movie Elizabeth
"I answered him that… I, as Captain-General of these provinces, was waging a war of fire and blood against all who came to settle these parts and plant in them their evil Lutheran sect... For this reason, I would not grant them a safe passage, but would sooner follow them by sea and land until I had taken their lives." Captain Pedro Menendez de Aviles