What Dominic Sandbrook has said about Slavery in the United States
3 quotes · 2 episodes · Jun 7, 2026 – Jul 8, 2026
Dominic Sandbrook, British historian, author and co-host of The Rest Is History, has been quoted on Slavery in the United States 3 times in 2 episodes of The Rest Is History, most recently on July 8, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Sandbrook says Jefferson has been at the center of a culture war over America's founding sin for at least three decades.
“he's been the center, hasn't he, of what can only be described as a culture war that has raged for at least 30 years”
The Rest Is History: 686. Jefferson: The Betrayal of Liberty (Part 4) (Jul 8, 2026) · Listen from 31:22
Sandbrook contends that both the wartime context and Key's own views give reason to think the verse referred to African-American slaves.
“There are reasons to think that Key was talking about African-American slaves. And one is to do with the context, and the other is to do with Key himself”
The Rest Is History: 677. USA: The Star-Spangled Banner (Part 1) (Jun 7, 2026) · Listen from 37:51
Sandbrook gives his personal view that Key's lyric was probably aimed at escaping slaves who aided the British.
“And personally, I think his text probably is aimed at slaves who are trying to escape and are helping the British”
The Rest Is History: 677. USA: The Star-Spangled Banner (Part 1) (Jun 7, 2026) · Listen from 1:04:13
Episodes
686. Jefferson: The Betrayal of Liberty (Part 4)The Rest Is History · Jul 8, 2026 · 1 h 22 min
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook conclude their Founding Fathers series with Thomas Jefferson's political career, his relationship with Sally Hemings, and his betrayal of liberty through slavery.
- 677. USA: The Star-Spangled Banner (Part 1)
The Rest Is History · Jun 7, 2026 · 1 h 11 min
Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland trace the Star-Spangled Banner from the 1814 bombardment of Fort McHenry to its adoption as anthem and the controversy over slavery.
Others on Slavery in the United States
- Tom Holland · 7 quotes
- Gary Gallagher · 1 quote
Dominic Sandbrook on other topics
- Ku Klux Klan · 13 quotes
- Mayerling incident · 8 quotes
- Burr–Hamilton duel · 8 quotes
- Fall of Maximilien Robespierre · 7 quotes
- Gallipoli campaign · 7 quotes
- Deutschlandlied · 6 quotes
- The Star-Spangled Banner · 5 quotes
- Winston Churchill and the Dardanelles · 5 quotes