Episode 226: Ryan Quintana, Making the State of South Carolina

What do we mean by “the state?”

How is a “state” produced?

Is “the state” something everyone can participate in producing?

Ryan Quintana, an Associate Professor of History at Wellesley College and the author of Making a Slave State: Political Development in Early South Carolina, joins us to answer these questions with a look at the creation and development of the State of South Carolina.

About the Show

Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.

It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.

Each episode features a conversation with a historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early American history.

Ben Franklin’s World is a production of the Omohundro Institute.

Episode Summary

Ryan Quintana, an Associate Professor of History at Wellesley College and the author of Making a Slave State: Political Development in Early South Carolina, joins us to investigate the creation and development of early republic South Carolina.

During our investigation, Ryan reveals what we mean by “space” and how space relates to the study of history; The ways in which Black Carolinians helped to secure South Carolina’s independence; And, how enslaved men and women built the State of South Carolina and used its spaces for their own ends.

What You’ll Discover

  • How space relates to the study of history
  • What we mean by “space”
  • Historical sources for how people thought about space & its meaning
  • Ways Black Carolinians supported the American Revolution
  • How Black Carolinians helped secure South Carolina’s statehood
  • Somerset v. Stewart
  • Dunmore’s Proclamation
  • Enslaved labor and the State of South Carolina
  • The state of South Carolina after the War for Independence
  • How South Carolina rebuilt itself after the Revolution
  • Acquiring enslaved labor to build the State of South Carolina
  • How enslaved people used state work to learn the geography of South Carolina
  • How enslaved people used state work to expand their social networks
  • The Stono Rebellion
  • Maroons and maroon communities in early South Carolina
  • How South Carolina attempted to regulate the movement of enslaved people

 

Links to People, Places, and Publications

Sponsor Links

Complementary Episodes

 

Time Warp PlainTime Warp Question

In your opinion, what might have happened if Great Britain had maintained possession and governance of its 13 rebellious North American colonies? If South Carolina had remained British, what would the role of enslaved people had been in building a British South Carolinian colony?

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Do you have a question, comment, or suggestion?

Get in Touch! Send me an e-mail, tweet, or leave a comment.

 

Subscribe!

Enjoy the Podcast?

Why Not Subscribe?

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Google Podcasts | Listen to Stitcher

Ratings & Reviews

If you enjoy this podcast, please give it a rating and review.

Positive ratings and reviews help bring Ben Franklin's World to the attention of other history lovers who may not be aware of our show

Click here to rate & review on iTunes | Click here to rate & review on Stitcher

More from this show

Subscribe