Christopher Magra – The Conversation

Ships like these played a vital role in the American Revolution. wynnter/iStock via Getty Images Plus

June 3, 2026

How out‑of‑work fishermen saved the American Revolution

Christopher Magra, University of Tennessee

A British ban stripped thousands of skilled mariners of their livelihoods overnight – and gave Washington a chance to turn the tide.

The Declaration of Independence did more than assert the Colonies’ independence from Britain. iStock/Getty Images Plus

April 7, 2026

1776’s Declaration of Independence inspired Washington’s troops to fight against the odds – and also helped bring in powerful allies

Christopher Magra, University of Tennessee

The Declaration of Independence isn’t just a philosophical breakup letter. It was a strategic move to secure vital support for America after its first declaration of war.

A young George Washington was thrust into the dense, contested wilderness of the Ohio River Valley as a land surveyor for real estate development companies in Virginia. Henry Hintermeister/Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

February 10, 2026

How a 22‑year‑old George Washington learned how to lead, from a series of mistakes in the Pennsylvania wilderness

Christopher Magra, University of Tennessee

Washington’s fundamental character as a military leader was forged in the Ohio River Valley, where he also inadvertently helped ignite the French and Indian War.

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