The First Conspiracy audiobook cover - The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington

The First Conspiracy

The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington

Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch

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The First Conspiracy
The Road to Revolution+
George Washington's Rise+
The Threat from Within+
The Assassination Plot+
Discovery and Aftermath+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
What radical new concept, popularized by Thomas Paine, heavily influenced the American colonists' desire for insurrection in 1775?
  • A. The complete abolition of all taxes and tariffs.
  • B. The inherent right of a people to select its own government and engage in self-rule.
  • C. The establishment of an American monarchy independent of the British Crown.
  • D. The creation of a unified military force across all 13 colonies.
Question 2 of 7
According to the text, what was an unexpected trait that worked in George Washington's favor when he was chosen to lead the Continental Army?
  • A. His lack of a formal college education, making him a straight-talker.
  • B. His extensive knowledge of European political philosophy.
  • C. His aggressive lobbying and boasting of his military victories.
  • D. His close personal friendship with the British King George III.
Question 3 of 7
How did William Tryon, the Governor of New York, demonstrate his ruthless dedication to the British Crown prior to clashing with Washington?
  • A. He ordered the burning of Boston after the British were forced to retreat.
  • B. He brutally executed leaders of a farmers' protest group known as the Regulators in North Carolina.
  • C. He personally led a mercenary army to massacre the delegates at the Second Continental Congress.
  • D. He confiscated all the weapons in New York City and imprisoned anyone who resisted.
Question 4 of 7
Why was it particularly difficult for George Washington to identify his enemies within the colonies?
  • A. British spies had successfully infiltrated the highest ranks of the Continental Congress.
  • B. Loyalties were not based on nationality or religion, and individuals frequently switched sides based on who paid more.
  • C. The Continental Army soldiers refused to wear uniforms, making them indistinguishable from civilians.
  • D. The British army employed advanced camouflage and guerrilla warfare tactics.
Question 5 of 7
What was the core strategy of Governor Tryon's conspiracy against George Washington in New York?
  • A. To launch a surprise naval bombardment on Washington's headquarters from his ship in the harbor.
  • B. To bribe members of Washington's army, including his elite Life Guards, to switch sides and turn on him.
  • C. To spread counterfeit money throughout the colonies to destroy the Continental Army's funding.
  • D. To kidnap Washington's family and hold them for ransom until the Continental Army surrendered.
Question 6 of 7
How was the plot to assassinate George Washington ultimately uncovered?
  • A. A British spy was intercepted carrying letters between Governor Tryon and his mercenaries.
  • B. George Washington noticed his Life Guards acting suspiciously and ordered an interrogation.
  • C. A prisoner jailed for counterfeiting overheard two of Washington's Life Guards bragging about the plot.
  • D. The gunsmith Gilbert Forbes confessed to the Continental Congress after feeling guilty.
Question 7 of 7
Why was the execution of Thomas Hickey considered a seismic event in American history?
  • A. It was the first time an American soldier was executed by a firing squad.
  • B. It marked the first time the courts decided that treason constituted a crime against America rather than Britain.
  • C. It was the event that directly caused the British to completely withdraw from New York.
  • D. It was the first public execution ever to take place in the American colonies.

The First Conspiracy — Full Chapter Overview

The First Conspiracy Summary & Overview

The First Conspiracy (2019) explores the shocking 1776 plot to kidnap, and possibly assassinate, George Washington. Washington was not yet president of the United States, but general of the colonies’ army. Using fascinating anecdotes and insights from this period of history, these blinks examine the suspicions, uncertainty and betrayals in the period leading up to the Revolutionary War.

Who Should Listen to The First Conspiracy?

  • History buffs looking for fresh insights into America’s revolutionary era
  • True crime enthusiasts
  • Anyone interested in George Washington’s life and times

About the Author: Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch

Brad Meltzer is an American writer and bestselling author of The Escape Artist (2018). He has been named by the Hollywood Reporter as one of "Hollywood's Most Powerful Authors," and every one of his thriller novels has featured on the New York Times Bestseller list. Josh Mensch is an author and documentary maker whose work deals with the culture and history of the United States. He has written, directed, and produced acclaimed television series for PBS, The History Channel and National Geographic.

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