Episode Details

In this episode, we explore how rebels built the vermont republic. If the state of Vermont was a person, I feel like they'd be, you know, that quiet friend who knits you sweaters. Right, the one who drinks herbal tea and is in bed by nine. Exactly. But. What if you found out that same quiet friend used to be like a heavily armed rogue spy? A spy who overthrew governments. Right. And played superpowers against each other and sparked these bizarre real estate wars. It's just the ultimate historical paradox. I mean, we look at the Green Mountain State today and we see this serene, unchanging New England tranquility. Yeah, lots of maple syrup and fall foliage. Exactly. But the reality is that landscape was forged in absolute It was a rebellion and constant dramatic reinvention. Well, welcome to today's deep dive. Our mission today is to take you on a journey through a really fascinating source text, which is is insane. Imagine you're a settler, you bought a deed from New Hampshire, you spent years doing the back -breaking work of clearing rocky mountainous land to build a farm, and suddenly a New York judge tells you your deed is completely invalid. You're technically a squatter on your own land. Yeah, and you have to buy your own farm back from some wealthy New York speculator. The resentment was visceral. And New York didn't just send polite letters. They started sending armed sheriffs and judges to forcibly dispossess the settlers who refused to pay twice. And this is where Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys enter the picture. Oh, yeah. They formed an armed militia to physically block New York authorities. There's this incredible moment detailed in the text at the Breakenridge Farm in Bennington. Such a cinematic standoff. It really is. A New York sheriff shows up