INTERVIEW: The Secret Vote That Almost Failed

The Declaration nearly collapsed before it was signed.

Historian Tom McMillan joins Why Wars Happened to reveal the secret debates, bitter fights, and forgotten figures behind 1776. It wasn’t destiny — it was chaos, compromise, and near failure.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Why Wars Happened

00:48 – Meet historian Tom McMillan

01:48 – The American Revolution: setting the stage

02:59 – Declaration of Independence: complexities & controversies

06:31 – Key figures: Adams, Jefferson, Dickinson

15:21 – The votes leading to independence

23:01 – Researching sources & challenges

27:06 – Richard Henry Lee’s forgotten legacy

29:54 – Jefferson & Adams’ roles in shaping the Declaration

39:08 – Editing the Declaration of Independence

43:31 – Upcoming book projects & reflections

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