Daniel Boone: An American Trailblazer | The GDP | Foundations of Freedom Ep.10

We are excited to be back with another episode of the Foundations of Freedom. If you are new to this series this is where we cover historical figures and events which paved the way for the great nation we have today.

In this week's episode we will explore the life and legacy of a man surrounded by folklore and myths: Daniel Boone. He was a husband, soldier and hunter who paved the way for the movement west before America gained its independence. You won’t want to miss this one!

Outline:
0:00: Intro
1:30: Jake learning about Daniel Boone
5:30: When Daniel Boone’s was born
6:00: Boone as a very big American legend
7:00: Boone opened more of the West for Americans to follow
9:00: Early life – loved the land, hunting, and the outdoors
11:00: Learned hunting from the Indians
12:00: Incorporated many of the values the Indians had for the land and nature as a whole
13:00: Story about young Boone on a bear hunt
15:00: Reverence and respect for the outdoors and lived in it vs a modern day place to escape
17:00: Boone’s desire to have adventure and see what was out there.
18:45: Kentucky as a wilderness
20:00: Hunting bear records
21:30: When he decided to come to Kentucky
22:00: Breakdown of how bears and deer were used in the economy
25:00: Where to get bear meat
29:00: Desire to explore the unknown
31:00: Boone’s family and kids
34:00: Non-violent approach
35:45: Boone rescuing his daughters from the Shawnee
39:00: Boone’s respect for the Indians
41:00: Boone and the Indians like football players
42:30: The Cumberland Gap
45:45:Great Valley Road, Wilderness Road, and the Cumberland Gap
48:00: Unclaimed land after the Cumberland Gap
49:00: The importance of the Gap as a place for new land for settlers
50:00: Boonesborough
51:00: Huge part of the expanse of the U.S. into the West
51:30: In 30 years Kentucky becomes a state and grows to a population of 300,000
52:30: Boone popularized the Gap and brought the expansion of settlers to new lands
53:00: Unlocks the opportunity for the West of the U.S. i.e. Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clarke, etc…
54:45: One man opened the doors for a vast amount of U.S. history – the heart of America
55:30 The true Frontiersman who lived out the American dream
56:00: Laying the framework for America
58:00: The importance of keeping Boonesborough
1:01:00: His arrest and promotion in the U.S. Military
1:03:00: Lack of business knowledge and problems with his land and property
1:04:00: Gave up everything to pay his debts before he died
1:07:15: Moved to Missouri with his family and extended family (technically out of the U.S.)
1:07:45: Spanish gave Boone 850 acres and gave him military honors
1:09:30: Boone’s death
1:11:00: Where Boone was buried
1:13:00: Our thoughts on Daniel Boone
1:15:00: What Boone represents and how he and individuals like him helped make America
1:18:30: Boone as an example of how to live in the outdoors
1:20:00: Closing thoughts

Resources:

https://www.themeateater.com/listen/bear-grease/ep-14-daniel-boone-foundations-of-an-american-archetype-part-1

https://www.themeateater.com/listen/bear-grease/episode-16-daniel-boone-the-legend-of-cumberland-gap-part-2

https://www.themeateater.com/listen/bear-grease/ep-18-daniel-boone-american-woodsman-part-3

8 thing you may not know about Boone