Worlds Turned Upside Down

R2 Studios

Worlds Turned Upside Down tells the story of the American Revolution as a transatlantic crisis and imperial civil war through the lives of people who experienced it. For many modern citizens of the United States, “the cause of America” that gave birth to a new nation in 1776 and the heroic stories we tell ourselves about its founding remains “in great measure the cause of all mankind.” But for the people who lived through it, the revolutionary era upended their lives in ways they could have never imagined. The crisis that engulfed the Atlantic world in the late eighteenth century inspired British Americans, Indigenous nations, enslaved Africans and African Americans, Europeans, and other peoples to question their loyalties, challenge authority, seek freedom, and resist revolutionary change. Worlds Turned Upside Down is narrated and written by Jim Ambuske. It is a production of R2 Studios at George Mason University. read less

Our Editor's Take

The Worlds Turned Upside Down podcast revisits the American Revolution with a novel perspective. It wasn't only a battle between nations. Soldiers and civilians battled their feelings about who to support. Cartographers and settlers argued over property lines. Thirteen British American colonies gained independence and formed the US. The revolution became synonymous with liberty, but not everyone saw it that way. Slaves didn't receive the same freedoms. Some American colonists remained loyalists to the British crown. Historian Jim Ambuske writes and narrates this investigation of an often oversimplified revolt.

Ambuske is the senior producer at R2 Studios, which produces his shows. He cocreated Intertwined: The Enslaved Community at George Washington's Mount Vernon. Ambuske also hosted Conservatives at the Washington Library. He invites authors and professors to the podcast. They add new context to this important story. In 1750, 1.5 million settlers lived in the colonies that became the US. Around 150,000 of them were African slaves. That number increased by almost 60 percent by 1760. Ambuske researches their experience.

Worlds Turned Upside Down discusses complicated leaders, including Tanaghrisson. In 1754, the French and British fought to control Ohio Country. Native American Tanaghrisson lived on the contested land. He accepted a symbolic wampum from Captain Joncaire when France occupied Ohio Country. However, Tanaghrisson was a Francophobe. George Washington asked Tanaghrisson to help him force France out. Listeners hear what Tanaghrisson said to French Officer Jumonville as he lay dying. Tanaghrisson then split Jumonville's skull with a tomahawk. His subsequent action was appalling. Tanaghrisson claims France did something more gruesome to his father.

Worlds Turned Upside Down studies the Mitchell Map, which helped outline America in the Treaty of Paris. The comprehensive illustration remains a valuable resource. In the 1980s, it settled a dispute about fisheries in the Gulf of Maine. The podcast reveals new insights about the Declaration of Independence. Listeners also hear about two rogues, one who promoted peace and the other who wanted anarchy. The podcast contains sound effects, voice actors, and dialogue in languages beyond English. New episodes debut monthly.

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Introducing Worlds Turned Upside Down

Introducing Worlds Turned Upside Down

Introducing Worlds Turned Upside Down, a podcast about the history of the American Revolution. Coming fall 2023 from R2 Studios. Learn more at www.r2studios.org. Worlds Turned Upside Down tells the story of the American Revolution as a transatlantic crisis and imperial civil war through the lives of people who experienced it. For many modern citizens of the United States, “the cause of America” that gave birth to a new nation in 1776 and the heroic stories we tell ourselves about its founding remains “in great measure the cause of all mankind.” But for the people who lived through it, the revolutionary era upended their lives in ways they could have never imagined. The crisis that engulfed the Atlantic world in the late eighteenth century inspired British Americans, Indigenous nations, enslaved Africans and African Americans, Europeans, and other peoples to question their loyalties, challenge authority, seek freedom, and resist revolutionary change. Narrated by Jim Ambuske.

Episodes

Introducing Worlds Turned Upside Down

Introducing Worlds Turned Upside Down

Introducing Worlds Turned Upside Down, a podcast about the history of the American Revolution. Coming fall 2023 from R2 Studios. Learn more at www.r2studios.org. Worlds Turned Upside Down tells the story of the American Revolution as a transatlantic crisis and imperial civil war through the lives of people who experienced it. For many modern citizens of the United States, “the cause of America” that gave birth to a new nation in 1776 and the heroic stories we tell ourselves about its founding remains “in great measure the cause of all mankind.” But for the people who lived through it, the revolutionary era upended their lives in ways they could have never imagined. The crisis that engulfed the Atlantic world in the late eighteenth century inspired British Americans, Indigenous nations, enslaved Africans and African Americans, Europeans, and other peoples to question their loyalties, challenge authority, seek freedom, and resist revolutionary change. Narrated by Jim Ambuske.

Season One Trailer: The Crisis

Season One Trailer: The Crisis

Season One of Worlds Turned Upside Down, "The Crisis," follows the stories of American colonists, Indigenous peoples, and Europeans as they grappled with the revolutionary consequences of Great Britain's victory in the Seven Years' War (1756-1763). After celebrating Britain's triumph over the French in the war, Americans began questioning British new policies in its wake, while Indigenous and enslaved people struggled to make sense of their own place in Britain's enlarged American empire. Season One begins September 26, 2023. Narrated by Jim Ambuske. Worlds Turned Upside Down is a production of R2 Studios at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University. Learn more about all our shows by visiting www.r2studios.org

Episode 1: The Balance

Episode 1: The Balance

In the 1750s, tensions between the British, the French, and Indigenous peoples over control of the Ohio Country in North America lead to the outbreak of a global war with revolutionary consequences. Featuring: Fred Anderson, Christian Ayne Crouch, Max Edelson, Patrick Griffin, George Ironstrack, and Maeve Kane. Voice Actors: Norman Rodger, Alexandre Rios-Bordes, and Emmanuel Dubois. Narrated by Jim Ambuske. Find the official transcript here. Worlds Turned Upside Down is a production of R2 Studios at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University.

Episode 2: The Nadir

Episode 2: The Nadir

Following the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in North America, the British and French begin mobilizing for war and appoint commanders-in-chief to lead the war effort, only to clash with colonists over how power, authority, and honor should be used in the colonies. Meanwhile, Indigenous peoples like the Haudenosaunee and the Delaware weigh their options as the fighting engulfs eastern North America. Featuring: Fred Anderson, Katherine Carté, Christian Ayne Crouch, Patrick Griffin, Hayley Madl, and John McCurdy Voice Actors: Alexandra Krebs, Grace Mallon, Spencer McBride, Norman Rodger, Alexandre Rios-Bordes, Nate Sleeter, and Emmanuel Dubois. Narrated by Jim Ambuske. Find the official transcript here. Worlds Turned Upside Down is a production of R2 Studios at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University.

Episode 3: The Triumph

Episode 3: The Triumph

Following three years of stinging defeats in the Seven Years' War, the British begin to turn the tide against the French in North America in no small measure because Indigenous peoples decided the war should end. Featuring: Fred Anderson, Christian Ayne Crouch, Matthew Dziennik, Julie Flavell, John McCurdy, and Serena Zabin. Voice Actors: Dan Howlett, Alexandre Rios-Bordes, Michael Newton, Brandon Tachco, and Emmanuel Dubois. Narrated by Jim Ambuske. Find the official transcript here. Worlds Turned Upside Down is a production of R2 Studios at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University.

Episode 4: The Empire

Episode 4: The Empire

Great Britain's conquest of New France in North America and its victory in the Seven Years' War inspired British subjects on both sides of the Atlantic to look forward to a future they could see but through a glass darkly, as they struggled to make sense of the world that lay ahead, and the cost of the war they had won. Featuring: Fred Anderson, Christian Ayne Crouch, Max Edelson, Kathleen DuVal, Patrick Griffin, and Jon Kukla. Voice Actors: Norman Roger, Anne Fertig, Nicholas Cole, Spencer McBride, and John Turner. Narrated by Jim Ambuske. Find the official transcript here. Worlds Turned Upside Down is a production of R2 Studios at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University.

Episode 5: The Uprising

Episode 5: The Uprising

As the British began to assert control over North America in the wake of the Seven Years' War, the actions of British American settlers and the messages of a native prophet convinced some Indigenous peoples throughout the Ohio Country and beyond that resistance through force was the best way to preserve their sovereignty and usher in the revitalization of their communities. Featuring: Fred Anderson, George Ironstrack, Maeve Kane, and Hayley Madl. Voice Actors: Anne Fertig, Kathyrn Gehred, David Mckenzie, Loren Moulds, Angel-Luke O’Donnell, Norman Rodger, and Brandon Tachco. Narrated by Jim Ambuske. Find the official transcript here. Worlds Turned Upside Down is a production of R2 Studios at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University.

Episode 6: The Proclamation

Episode 6: The Proclamation

Against the backdrop of Pontiac's War in North America, George III's ministers in London draw on lessons learned in colonial Nova Scotia to begin drafting a blueprint for transforming British America into an empire of order. Featuring: Fred Anderson, Matthew Dziennik, Max Edelson, and Alexandra Montgomery Voice Actors: Grace Mallon and Beau Robbins. Narrated by Jim Ambuske. Find the official transcript here. This episode is made possible with support from the John Carter Brown Library, an independent research library located on the campus of Brown University. Worlds Turned Upside Down is a production of R2 Studios at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University.