I just finished watching Ken Burns’ PBS documentary The American Revolution, released this past November—perfect timing as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Revolution and the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The documentary spans six episodes, each two hours long. I found it both highly informative and deeply engaging.

I appreciated how the series moves beyond the traditional Revolutionary War narrative we often encounter in textbooks. It devotes significant time to the perspectives of Native American tribes, African Americans, and women, offering a far more inclusive and nuanced story. The documentary incorporates an extraordinary number of primary sources, giving voice to a wide range of individuals who lived through the Revolution—from lesser-known figures to towering names such as George Washington and John Adams. The documentary also does an excellent job chronicling the military campaings of the war, highlighting the Revolution’s many ups and downs.

The Revolution is presented as both a global and deeply personal event. The series explores the international ramifications of the conflict while simultaneously zooming in on its impact on small towns and families. It powerfully highlights the reality that this was  a civil war marked by acts of cruelty committed by both Patriots and Loyalists against one another.

The documentary truly offers something for everyone—those looking to learn the foundational storyline commonly taught in schools, as well as viewers seeking a more complex and inclusive interpretation that brings lesser-known stories to the forefront. The twelve-hour format allows the series to explore a wide range of topics and grapple with the many complexities of the conflict, all while maintaining a clear chronological structure that is easy to follow.

Finally, the documentary addresses the aftermath of the war and the writing of the Constitution, emphasizing that it took many years for the United States to begin living up to the Revolution’s ideals of liberty and equality. The developments that followed would not have been possible without those revolutionary principles. The American Revolution was one of the most significant events in human history, paving the way for later revolutions around the world and standing as the first successful example of a democratic government overthrowing a monarchy.

This documentary is a masterpiece and a must-watch. Check out this link for more info: https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-revolution

Check out related blog posts below: