The Most Sacred Thing (May 1780 – Onward)
The British Army under General Cornwallis struggles to pacify the southern states. Meanwhile, one of the most respected American generals betrays the cause and defects to the British. Supported by the French Army and Navy, Washington’s Continental Army wins the decisive victory at Yorktown. Peace is restored, independence is won, and Americans aspire for a more perfect union.
Episodes
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The Most Sacred Thing (May 1780 – Onward)
S1 E6 - 2h 10m
The British Army under General Cornwallis struggles to pacify the southern states. Meanwhile, one of the most respected American generals betrays the cause and defects to the British. Supported by the French Army and Navy, Washington’s Continental Army wins the decisive victory at Yorktown. Peace is restored, independence is won, and Americans aspire for a more perfect union.
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The Soul of All America (December 1777 – May 1780)
S1 E5 - 1h 53m
Washington’s Continental Army emerges from the harsh winter at Valley Forge to fight the British Army in the inconclusive Battle of Monmouth. But the alliance with France changes the war and moves it to other theaters. Navies battle off England’s coast and in the Caribbean, while armies advance into Indian Country and the southern states. Together, the British Army and Navy capture Charleston.
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Conquer by a Drawn Game (January 1777 – February 1778)
S1 E4 - 1h 55m
As America braces for a third year of devastating war, British commanders launch campaigns to take Albany and Philadelphia. General Howe beats General Washington at Brandywine and Germantown, while the Continental Congress flees Philadelphia. But the Americans’ surprising victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga opens the door for France to officially support the United States.
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The Times That Try Men’s Souls (July 1776 – January 1777)
S1 E3 - 1h 54m
The Revolution, now a war for American independence, faces its toughest challenge yet as General Washington tries to defend New York City from invasion by sea. The resulting Battle of Long Island is a huge defeat for the Americans, who narrowly escape and spend the next several months on the run. In late December, Washington’s army regroups and prepares to attack an outpost in Trenton, New Jersey.
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An Asylum for Mankind (May 1775 – July 1776)
S1 E2 - 2h 4m
New Englanders rush to surround the British Army in Boston, but as war begins Americans find themselves sharply divided. After the Battle of Bunker’s Hill, George Washington of Virginia arrives to command the newly created Continental Army. In July 1776, the Continental Congress issues the Declaration of Independence, insisting on the people’s right to resist tyranny and govern themselves.
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In Order to Be Free (May 1754 – May 1775)
S1 E1 - 1h 56m
American colonists oppose efforts by the British Crown and Parliament to seize greater control in North America, escalating simmering tensions over land, taxes, and sovereignty into violent confrontation. After protestors dump tea in Boston Harbor, the British government enacts martial law in Massachusetts. Fighting at Lexington and Concord ignites a war that will last eight years.
Extras + Features
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The Constitution & The Formation of A More Perfect Union
S1 E6 - 7m 17s
The American Revolution has ended, but the newly United States teeters on the brink of fracturing. Delegates, nearly half of whom own slaves, meet in Philadelphia to draft a new constitution. They create a system of government intended to preserve freedom and liberty, and prevent demagogues from plunging the nation into tyranny. The document is sent to the states to ratify.
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Bernardo de Gálvez & His Big Ambitions
S1 E6 - 3m 20s
Spanish Louisiana Bernardo de Gálvez sees his chance to retake West Florida for his king and push Spanish colonies farther into North America. As soon as Spain officially enters the war, Gálvez leaves New Orleans and starts taking British posts one after another before heading to Pensacola. Gálvez would restore Spanish rule to West Florida and, along with it, control of the Gulf of Mexico.
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Elizabeth Freeman Successfully Sues for Her Freedom
S1 E6 - 1m 46s
When Mumbet, an enslaved woman in Massachusetts, gets struck by her mistress with a shovel, she leaves and refuses to return. She successfully sues for her freedom, helping to bring an end to slavery in that state. Mumbet would change her name to Elizabeth Freeman and serve as a healer, nurse, and midwife to her neighbors.
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The Battle of Cowpens
S1 E6 - 6m 41s
Nathanael Greene is dispatched to the South to replace the disgraced Horatio Gates. Despite being outnumbered, Greene divides his army and gives Daniel Morgan command of a portion of his force. Morgan, a master tactician lures the British into a trap at the Battle of Cowpens, resulting in a decisive Patriot victory and forcing the British to retreat to Virginia.
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The Continental Army Disbands
S1 E6 - 2m 9s
Joseph Plumb Martin was one of the many ordinary Americans who made up the Continental Army. As they began to disband, George Washington again tried to persuade Congress to provide his men with back pay.
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General Nathanael Greene in the South
S1 E6 - 2m 38s
All across the Lower South, British outposts either surrender or get abandoned as General Nathanael Greene leads the Patriots through the region. He fights three full-scale battles with the British, losing them all. But each time, Greene inflicts such heavy casualties, the British have to withdraw until they're penned up in just three coastal towns. London’s Southern strategy was falling apart.
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Episode 6: Introduction
S1 E6 - 3m 8s
The idea of America, rooted in the American Revolution, is the belief in possibility. Everyone on both sides of the war, even those who were denied ownership of themselves, saw an opportunity worth fighting for. The Revolution will not only mark the beginning of a new nation, but it will have ramifications that will echo across the globe.
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James Forten Becomes a Privateer
S1 E6 - 2m 36s
James Forten was born free in Philadelphia. At 14, he was old enough to fight for his country and signed onto a privateer and set out to sea. Forten was one of 20 men and boys of color in a crew of 200. On his second voyage, his ship was overtaken by British. He ended up with hundreds of Americans on a prison ship, the Jersey, moored in the East River off Brooklyn.
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The Battle of Yorktown & The End of the American Revolution
S1 E6 - 10m 44s
Washington deceives the British into thinking he's moving north while his troops and the French navy move to surround General Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown. The maneuver works, and the British are trapped. The combined American and French armies siege Yorktown, forcing Cornwallis to surrender. The Battle of Yorktown is over and the world will never be the same.
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Preview: The Most Sacred Thing
S1 E6 - 30s
The British Army under General Cornwallis struggles to pacify the southern states. Meanwhile, one of the most respected American generals betrays the cause and defects to the British. Supported by the French Army and Navy, Washington’s Continental Army wins the decisive victory at Yorktown. Peace is restored, independence is won, and Americans aspire for a more perfect union.
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Benedict Arnold Turns Traitor and Defects to the British
S1 E6 - 6m 4s
Washington discovers that Benedict Arnold has defected and planned to surrender West Point – and the men stationed there – to the British. Arnold accomplished miracles on the battlefield and felt that he did not receive due recognition. The spy who turned Arnold traitor is caught and hanged. However, Arnold escapes and takes command of a British regiment known as the American Legion.
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George Washington Stops a Mutiny
S1 E6 - 3m 1s
In early 1783, an unsigned manifesto starts circulating among George Washington’s officers. It openly called for a mutiny if peace came. Instead of disarming, they would use the army to force Congress and the United States to provide the back pay they were owed. Washington brought the mutiny to an end before it even began.
Schedule
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Image
The American Revolution
Conquer by a Drawn Game
Saturday
Dec 6
2 Hours 30 Minutes
General Howe takes Philadelphia, but the Americans' surprising victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga encourages France to support the U.S. -
Image
The American Revolution
The Soul of All America
Saturday
Dec 6
2 Hours 30 Minutes
The French-American alliance changes the war and moves it to other theaters; navies battle off England and in the Caribbean, while armies advance in Indian Country and the South; the British take Charleston. -
Image
The American Revolution
The Most Sacred Thing
Saturday
Dec 6
3 Hours
British General Cornwallis struggles to pacify the southern states; supported by the French, a victory at Yorktown secures independence for the Americans. -
Image
The American Revolution
The Times That Try Men's Souls
Sunday
Dec 7
2 Hours
British General Howe defeats General Washington, forcing the Americans to abandon New York; Washington's army regroups in New Jersey before attacking an outpost at Trenton. -
Image
The American Revolution
Conquer by a Drawn Game
Monday
Dec 8
2 Hours 30 Minutes
General Howe takes Philadelphia, but the Americans' surprising victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga encourages France to support the U.S. -
Image
The American Revolution
The Times That Try Men's Souls
Monday
Dec 8
2 Hours
British General Howe defeats General Washington, forcing the Americans to abandon New York; Washington's army regroups in New Jersey before attacking an outpost at Trenton. -
Image
The American Revolution
The Soul of All America
Monday
Dec 8
2 Hours 30 Minutes
The French-American alliance changes the war and moves it to other theaters; navies battle off England and in the Caribbean, while armies advance in Indian Country and the South; the British take Charleston. -
Image
The American Revolution
The Times That Try Men's Souls
Monday
Dec 8
2 Hours
British General Howe defeats General Washington, forcing the Americans to abandon New York; Washington's army regroups in New Jersey before attacking an outpost at Trenton. -
Image
The American Revolution
The Most Sacred Thing
Tuesday
Dec 9
3 Hours
British General Cornwallis struggles to pacify the southern states; supported by the French, a victory at Yorktown secures independence for the Americans. -
Image
The American Revolution
Conquer by a Drawn Game
Sunday
Dec 14
2 Hours
General Howe takes Philadelphia, but the Americans' surprising victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga encourages France to support the U.S. -
Image
The American Revolution
Conquer by a Drawn Game
Monday
Dec 15
2 Hours
General Howe takes Philadelphia, but the Americans' surprising victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga encourages France to support the U.S. -
Image
The American Revolution
Conquer by a Drawn Game
Monday
Dec 15
2 Hours
General Howe takes Philadelphia, but the Americans' surprising victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga encourages France to support the U.S.
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