Lexington and Concord: 250 Years On – A Detailed Summary

Introduction

In the episode titled "Lexington and Concord: 250 Years On," featured on the History Extra podcast and released on April 17, 2025, host Eleanor Evans engages in a profound discussion with historian George Goodwin. They explore the pivotal events of April 19, 1775—the first battles of the American Revolutionary War—and delve into how these clashes were reported, shaping perceptions on both sides of the Atlantic.

Prelude to the Conflict

George Goodwin begins by tracing the roots of escalating tensions back to the Seven Years' War. The British victory expelled the French from Canada and pushed them along the Mississippi River, but the aftermath left unresolved territorial claims. To mitigate fears of a French resurgence, the British stationed troops in America, leading to disputes over who would bear the financial burden.

Prime Minister George Grenville sought to recover war expenses through taxation, disregarding American rights. This led to significant unrest, marked by the introduction of the Sugar Act and, more critically, the Stamp Act. As Goodwin explains, the Stamp Act imposed taxes on printed materials, including "wedding certificates, playing cards, marriage licenses, and most importantly, newspapers" (03:37). This imposition ignited widespread protests, culminating in vehement opposition from the American colonies who believed only they had the authority to levy taxes on themselves as per their charters.

The repeal of the Stamp Act under the Rockingham government temporarily quelled tensions. However, the introduction of the Townshend Duties and the Tea Act by Charles Townshend reignited conflicts, targeting figures like John Hancock and challenging colonial smuggling practices. The fallout from the Boston Tea Party and the subsequent Coercive Acts further unified the colonies against British policies, leading to the convening of the First Continental Congress and the militarization of Massachusetts.

The Day of Battle: Lexington and Concord

As April 1775 approached, Governor Thomas Gage of Massachusetts, who also served as the commander of British forces in America, devised a plan to seize military supplies stored in Concord, located twelve miles from Boston. This action was intended to dismantle the burgeoning militia movement but was compromised—potentially by Paul Revere's spy network or Gage's own wife. Aware of the impending British move, colonial militias swiftly mobilized to defend their resources.

Key Figures and Commanders

The confrontation on April 19, 1775, featured several key figures:

• British Commanders:

  • Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith: Led approximately 1,500 British troops.
  • Marine Major John Pitcairn: Commanded the vanguard.
  • Brigadier Percy: The heir to the Dukedom of Northumberland, arrived with artillery support.

• American Leaders:

  • Dr. Joseph Warren: President of the Provincial Congress, orchestrated Patriot strategies and coordinated reports.
  • Captain John Derby: Commanded the trading yacht Quero, crucial for disseminating reports.
  • John Pitcairn: Initially underestimated the American militia.

The Battle’s Events

The British force advanced towards Concord, with a smaller contingent of about 200 militia confronting them at Lexington Green. Goodwin notes, "the militiamen were already moving into position" (09:57). Despite orders from Major Pitcairn for his troops not to fire, the situation escalated into violence. The exact moment of the first shot remains disputed, but it is widely believed that the British troops opened fire, resulting in the deaths of eight Americans on the green.

Proceeding to Concord, the British searched for munitions but found little. As they attempted to return to Boston, they faced relentless attacks from an ever-growing militia force employing guerrilla tactics. Goodwin describes the British retreat as "a slow sort of standard retreat exercise" under constant fire, leading to significant casualties—approximately a fifth of Smith's force lost compared to minimal American losses.

Media Battle: Who Fired First?

A central theme of the episode is the battle over narratives. Governor Gage's official British report attempted to portray the Americans as aggressors. However, this account lacked credibility and was met with skepticism in American colonies. In contrast, Dr. Joseph Warren spearheaded the American response, ensuring that their version of events dominated public discourse. Goodwin emphasizes, "the significance of the fighting lay as much in how it was reported as in what actually happened" (02:14).

The Role of Propaganda

The dissemination of information played a critical role in shaping perceptions:

• British Efforts: Gage compiled reports from commanders like Smith, Pitcairn, and Percy, attempting to suppress dissenting voices. However, only a handful of colonial newspapers published Gage's account, and it was largely ineffective. The British also resorted to broadsides for public dissemination, which did not gain traction.

• American Strategies: Under Warren's leadership, the Essex Gazette and other Patriot newspapers widely published the American narrative, highlighting British atrocities and framing the conflict as a struggle for liberty. Arthur Lee, serving in London, leveraged his connections to ensure that American accounts reached British newspapers, amplifying the American propaganda victory.

Goodwin highlights the effectiveness of American media tactics: "the British had to put something in the official government paper," but Arthur Lee strategically withheld critical information, allowing American stories to take precedence in the press (29:15).

Aftermath and Long-term Impact

The initial successes of the American militia, both militarily and in the realm of public perception, had profound implications:

• British Public and Military Reaction: The unexpected resistance and casualties dampened British confidence and highlighted the determination of the American colonies. Subsequent battles, such as Bunker Hill, continued this trend, combining military engagements with effective propaganda that undermined British morale.

• Rise of George Washington: As British defeats mounted, George Washington emerged as a unifying and respected leader for the American cause. His leadership and the strategic use of media ensured sustained support for the Revolutionary War effort.

• International Involvement: The portrayal of British inadequacies influenced European powers, notably France and Spain, to support the American colonies, culminating in broader international conflict against Britain.

Goodwin remarks, "the American version is the one to be believed," reflecting the successful establishment of an American narrative that influenced both domestic and international perceptions of the war (31:09).

Debunking Myths

The episode addresses several enduring myths surrounding Lexington and Concord:

• Paul Revere's Ride: Contrary to popular lore, Goodwin clarifies that Paul Revere was not the sole rider alerting colonists. Instead, numerous riders were involved in mobilizing militias across Massachusetts, dispelling the notion of a singular dramatic ride (09:31).

• First Shot Heard: The true sequence of events regarding who fired the first shot remains ambiguous. While British reports suggested initial American aggression, evidence from British soldiers captured by the Americans indicated that the British fired first. Additionally, a draft report by Brigadier Percy, discovered decades later, suggested that American forces opened fire, but this was never included in official accounts, leaving the historical record contentious (37:32).

Conclusion

The episode "Lexington and Concord: 250 Years On" meticulously examines the complexities of the first battles of the American Revolutionary War, emphasizing the intricate interplay between military actions and media reporting. George Goodwin elucidates how effective propaganda efforts by the American colonists not only influenced immediate perceptions but also had lasting impacts on the war's progression and outcome.

For listeners seeking a deeper understanding of the strategic communication that underpinned the American fight for independence, this episode offers invaluable insights. Additionally, those interested in exploring further pivotal moments in the Revolutionary War are encouraged to engage with the podcast's three-part series on the Boston Tea Party available on historyextra.com.

Notable Quotes

• George Goodwin: "The significance of the fighting lay as much in how it was reported as in what actually happened." (02:14)
• George Goodwin: "He was very keen for the information to be properly taken by justices of the peace, to make it official and properly written down and then published." (25:46)
• George Goodwin: "The British had to put something in the official government paper, which he did the next day... This was a propaganda victory as well as a military victory." (31:13)

Further Resources

To explore more about the transformative events leading to American independence and the strategic use of media in warfare, visit historyextra.com. Additionally, the May 2025 issue of BBC History magazine provides an in-depth analysis of the propaganda race during the Revolutionary War.