What led many Americans to separate from Great Britain 250 years ago in 1776? Americans were among the freest and least taxed people in the Western world. On Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 5:30 pm, independent historian Christian McBurney will explore this question during the talk Causes of the American Revolution. While the philosophy of “no taxation without representation” was a strong contributing factor, the reality was much more complex. This talk will address the underlying causes of the American Revolution by reviewing political, social, demographic, racial, and ideological factors. McBurney will also highlight Rhode Island’s role in the War for Independence.
Christian McBurney is an independent historian who has authored nine Rhode Island history books, four of them on the American Revolutionary War. His books include The Rhode Island Campaign: The First French and American Operation in the Revolutionary War and Dark Voyage: An American Privateer’s War on Great Britain’s African Slave Trade. McBurney is also the founder and publisher of a leading Rhode Island history blog at smallstatebighistory.com and is President of the George Washington American Revolution Round Table of Washington, D.C. McBurney resides with his wife near Bethesda, Maryland, and they have a second home in West Kingston, Rhode Island.
General admission costs $10 per person, $5 for RIHS members. Doors open at 4:30 pm for a reception, and the talk starts promptly at 5:30 pm.
Guests can register Here.