Part 5/14:
While prominent figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin loom large in American history, Burns advocates for “history from below.” He highlights the importance of including voices of lesser-known individuals—Native Americans, enslaved people, women, and young soldiers—whose stories enrich and complicate the traditional narrative. For example, Burns mentions a 15-year-old soldier, Joseph Plum Martin, and a young Black boy, James Foron, whose lives exemplify the diverse experiences and sacrifices during the revolution.