A Crisis of Peace: George Washington, the Newburgh Conspiracy, and the Fate of the American Revolution

A Crisis of Peace: George Washington, the Newburgh Conspiracy, and the Fate of the American Revolution, presented by David Head

In March 1783, as negotiations to end the Revolution were well underway, an anonymous letter circulated through the Continental Army’s camp near Newburgh, New York. It called for the officers to meet–outside the chain of command–and act boldly to strong arm Congress to deliver on their long overdue pay and desperately needed pensions. But was the letter the officers’ idea alone? Or were they put up to it by politicians in Philadelphia eager to grow the power of the central government? And how far were the angry officers willing to go? Replace General Washington? March on Congress? David Head takes a fresh look at the episode–known as the Newburgh Conspiracy–and asks whether a plot was really in the works and where the danger of the moment really lay.

This lecture will take place using Zoom. Fill out the form on our website to register, and you will receive an email with a link to the lecture the afternoon of September 24. Registration for this events ends at 12:00pm on September 24











When: Thu., Sep. 24, 2020 at 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Where: Fraunces Tavern Museum
54 Pearl St.
212-968-1776
Price: Free
Buy tickets/get more info now
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A Crisis of Peace: George Washington, the Newburgh Conspiracy, and the Fate of the American Revolution, presented by David Head

In March 1783, as negotiations to end the Revolution were well underway, an anonymous letter circulated through the Continental Army’s camp near Newburgh, New York. It called for the officers to meet–outside the chain of command–and act boldly to strong arm Congress to deliver on their long overdue pay and desperately needed pensions. But was the letter the officers’ idea alone? Or were they put up to it by politicians in Philadelphia eager to grow the power of the central government? And how far were the angry officers willing to go? Replace General Washington? March on Congress? David Head takes a fresh look at the episode–known as the Newburgh Conspiracy–and asks whether a plot was really in the works and where the danger of the moment really lay.

This lecture will take place using Zoom. Fill out the form on our website to register, and you will receive an email with a link to the lecture the afternoon of September 24. Registration for this events ends at 12:00pm on September 24

Buy tickets/get more info now