Episode Details

In this episode, we explore new jersey as the american crossroads. So when you think of New Jersey today, you probably just think of highways. Right, yeah, the Turnpike or the Jersey Shore. Exactly, like a place you drive through to get somewhere else. But we are looking at a stack of sources today. that prove this specific slice of land is, well, it's essentially the engine room of American history. Oh, absolutely. I mean, it's where George Washington literally saved the revolution. Right. And where Thomas Edison invented the future. Yeah. And where Martians supposedly landed. Yeah, the alien invasion. It is the absolute definition of a historical crucible. It really is. And our mission for this deep dive is to synthesize this really massive historical survey of the state. We want to show you how a relatively small area became the ultimate crossroads. Like a crossroads of innovation and conflict. Yeah, and huge societal change. So we're taking you decades. Which perfectly sets up the American Revolution because it's sandwiched right between New York and Philadelphia. The two most vital cities. It's the hallway between the two main rooms of the house. Right. If they fight, the hallway gets destroyed. It becomes the crossroads of the revolution. The sources say more engagements happened in New Jersey than any other colony. Oh, easily. The biggest one being the ten crucial days. Washington crossing the Delaware. The Continental Army is about to collapse. Enlistments are expiring. So he makes that desperate crossing on Christmas night. Through a literal blizzard. Yeah, and catches the Hessian mercenaries at Trenton. They capture 900 highly trained soldiers in 90 minutes. It's insane. And then they slip away to win at Princeton. But it wasn't just winter stuff. The Battle of Monmouth was in June. in 100 degree heat. Oh, that was brutal. Men dropping dead