Podcast / American Prestige / Jul 6, 2026

How the British Empire Lost America—With Andrew Shankman

Danny and Derek are joined by historian Andrew Shankman to talk about the road to US independence from Great Britain.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Bonus – How the British Empire Lost America w/ Andrew Shankman / American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

Danny and Derek are joined by historian Andrew Shankman to talk about the road to US independence from Great Britain. They discuss differences between Spanish and British colonization strategies, the intellectual and philosophical origins of the American Revolution, the Stamp Act crisis, distinctions in racial conceptions between the American colonies and the West Indies, key revolutionary figures, the early American republic, the unique economic situation of Boston and Massachusetts, and post-revolution relations with Britain and indigenous peoples. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The owner of The Cornish Arms gastropub adjusts the Union Flag alongside the American Flag on the exterior of the pub in St Ives, Cornwall on June 10, 2021, ahead of the three-day G7 summit.

(Daniel Leal via Getty Images)

Danny and Derek are joined by historian Andrew Shankman to talk about the road to US independence from Great Britain. They discuss differences between Spanish and British colonization strategies, the intellectual and philosophical origins of the American Revolution, the Stamp Act crisis, distinctions in racial conceptions between the American colonies and the West Indies, key revolutionary figures, the early American republic, the unique economic situation of Boston and Massachusetts, and post-Revolution relations with Britain and Indigenous peoples.  

Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/subscribe.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

US-Iran Ceasefire Collapses, Hamas Dissolves Gaza Government, Sudan’s El-Obeid Braces for RSF Assault / American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

Danny and Derek’s FIFA officiating careers have been tragically cut short since Javier Milei’s checks started bouncing. In this week’s news: the NATO summit ends on a high note (4:46); in Iran, new fighting erupts as Trump declares the end of the ceasefire (11:59), plus estimates of the war’s cost increase (16:45); in Gaza, Hamas dissolves its government (18:15) as the Board of Peace prepares a “humanitarian zone” (20:29); Trump appears ready to sell Turkey F-35s (23:40); Syria is officially removed from the state sponsors of terrorism list (27:54); in Sudan, civilians flee fighting in El Obeid (29:32); rebels coordinate a new joint offensive in Mali (32:59); the U.S. licenses domestic Patriot missile production in Ukraine (34:17); Roberto Sanchez concedes the Peruvian presidential election (38:07); Colombia’s presidential transition breaks down (39:01); and the U.S. drops the “Indo-Pacific” construct (40:07), prompting strategic discussions on the future of America’s position in the Pacific (43:25).

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Daniel Bessner

Daniel Bessner is an historian of US foreign relations, and cohost of American Prestige, a podcast on international affairs.

Derek Davison

Derek Davison is a writer and analyst specializing in international affairs and US foreign policy. He is the publisher of the Foreign Exchanges newsletter, cohost of the American Prestige podcast, and former editor of LobeLog.

More from The Nation

Protesters attend a vigil for a man that was killed in a shooting involving ICE, on July 13, 2026, in Biddeford, Maine.

Trump’s Renewed War, More ICE Killings, and Teaching American History Trump’s Renewed War, More ICE Killings, and Teaching American History

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson analyzes the week’s politics, and Beverly Gage explains Trump’s attacks on the Smithsonian.

Jon Wiener

Pope Leo XIV during a visit at the Maqam Echahid Martyrs' Monument in El Madania, near Algiers, on April 13, 2026.

Dope Popes—With Matt Sitman Dope Popes—With Matt Sitman

Matthew Sitman joins Fighting Fascism to discuss Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, the Catholic critique of Big Tech and inequality, and faith in contemporary politics.

Graham Platner, Democratic US Senate candidate for Maine, during a primary election night event at the Blue Hill YMCA in Maine on June 9, 2026.

Maine After Platner Maine After Platner

Eoin Higgins on finding a new candidate after a scandal.

Jeet Heer

Folarin Balogun of USA reacts to the loss after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Lumen Field Seattle, Washington, on July 6, 2026.

Did Trump Doom the US Men at the World Cup? Did Trump Doom the US Men at the World Cup?

We talk to authors Leander Schaerlaeckens and Dr. Vincent Intondi about the World Cup.

Dave Zirin

Rome’s Colosseum at sunset on January 10, 2012.

Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel Rome and Ancient Iran—With Jake Nabel

Jake Nabel joins Danny and Derek to explore Roman-Parthian relations, ancient imperial rivalry, cultural misunderstanding, and the politics of historical memory.

Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

Democratic US Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks to voters at the Elks Lodge 188 on June 7, 2026, in Portland, Maine.

Jamie Raskin on How to Fight Trump—John Nichols on the Dems After Platner Jamie Raskin on How to Fight Trump—John Nichols on the Dems After Platner

Representative Raskin lays out a strategy for the House, and The Nation’s Nichols talks about the Senate races, including Maine.

Jon Wiener

x