From Ken Burns, a master of historical documentaries, this six-part PBS series explores a crucial chapter in our nation’s history. Narrated in the soothing voice of Peter Coyote, The American Revolution relives the events that transformed our 13 colonies into states as a self-ruling nation. The series begins in the mid-1700s, when the British empire ruled the American colonies, which were growing rebellious as the Crown kept adding new taxes to subsidize wars that expanded their empire.
America’s intention to sever ties with the Crown was never unanimous. Native Americans had been living in their own democracy for centuries and had no use for war. But the British recruited those who accepted compensation to join the fight, with Britain’s assurance of no further incursions on their native lands. Then there were the Loyalists, colonists who honored the Crown and opposed the rebellion. It was the Patriots who were eager to take up arms for their freedom. Even their wives joined the cause, washing the soldiers’ clothing and cooking their meals—literally in the trenches.
Led primarily by General George Washington, the rebellion took eight-and-a-half long, hard years to win. In addition to their victories, the Patriots suffered losses and destruction that cost thousands of lives and endless hardships. Whenever the military changed locations, they traveled on foot, no matter the distance. They slept on the ground without blankets, even in winter, and suffered life-threatening diseases like smallpox and typhoid. And they kept running out of food and armaments.
The seemingly endless revolution included more highs, lows, and suspense than fiction. There was the blessing of allies like France, the curse of German fighters who supported the British, the obstacles and miscalculations, and even the miracles. Front and center was General George Washington, a demanding but inspiring leader who never ran out of strategies and optimism. He couldn’t win every battle, but the rebellion wasn’t over until the Patriots won. There’s a magical moment during combat when Washington suddenly appears on his horse, surrounded by the spray of enemy gunshot that never struck him down. That vision energized his war-weary troops to keep on fighting.
The American Revolution delivers an epic slice of history that every American should know, at least for appreciating our constitutional rights and for the fact that we don’t live under authoritarian rule. America’s government might be miles away from perfection. And we’re still overtaxed. But it’s easy to take for granted our country’s unique privileges and opportunities that we didn’t have to fight for. When we stop appreciating, our nation becomes vulnerable. And that’s when someone could take it all away.