Why the Four Cannon Matter Historically

J.L. Bell argues the cannon story shows organized rural militancy and possible personal motives for Gage's actions.

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April 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

One of the lesser-known catalysts for these battles was the hunt for artillery. The British military, under General Thomas Gage, sought to seize weapons stockpiled by colonial militias, while Massachusetts Patriots scrambled to secure and hide weapons. This tug-of-war over firepower played a crucial role in pushing Massachusetts from political resistance to armed conflict.

To better understand how Massachusetts got to this point, we’re revisiting Episode 129: The Road to Concord, with historian J.L. Bell. John is the author of The Road to Concord: How Four Stolen Cannon Ignited the Revolutionary War and the prolific blogger behind Boston 1775.net.

John’s Website | Book

Show Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/129

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