Founding Fathers | The invention of the United States | 1

How did a collection of desperate survivors, religious outcasts, and petty criminals become the architects of the world's most powerful nation? What does it mean to build a society on the language of liberty when that society is entirely dependent on enslaved labour? And are Americans still reckoning with a founding story that was never quite what it seemed?Peter and Afua go back to the very beginning — from the disaster of Roanoke and the brutal early years at Jamestown, to the transatlantic slave economy that quietly powered the rise of New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.00:00 Introduction — what America actually means03:00 Roanoke and Jamestown — England's catastrophic first attempts08:00 The colonial economy — slavery, sugar, and the triangle trade14:00 New York's hidden history — one in five New Yorkers were enslaved19:00 The contradiction at America's heart — liberty built on unfreedom25:00 Who were the Founding Fathers — and who was left out?32:00 Preview — Franklin and Madison up nextJoin Legacy Plus for bonus episodes, early access, Q&A's, fewer adverts and more. legacy.supportingcast.fmStay connected with Legacy: Instagram: @originallegacypodcast TikTok: @legacy_productionsExplore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas: Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.comJoin Legacy+ for bonus episodes, early access, Q&A's, fewer adverts and more.legacy.supportingcast.fmStay connected with Legacy:Instagram: @originallegacypodcastTikTok: @legacy_productionsExplore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas: Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.