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The American Revolution

The Soul of All America (December 1777 – May 1780)

Season 1 Episode 5

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.

Aired: 11/15/25
Episodes presented in 4K UHD on supported devices. Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
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Extras
Watch • 3:37
The American Revolution
Inside Look | People Just Like Us
The filmmakers on how understanding the people of the Revolution can help us understand who we are.
Clip: 3:37
Watch • 6:29
The American Revolution
Inside Look | Making the Revolution
The filmmakers discuss how they crafted imagery to help tell the story of the American Revolution.
Clip: 6:29
Watch • 5:13
The American Revolution
Inside Look | Sounds of the Revolution
The filmmakers on how they tapped a broad range of influences to recreate the music of the era.
Clip: 5:13
Watch • 6:18
The American Revolution
Inside Look | Our Origin Story
Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt on the challenges of telling America's origin story.
Clip: 6:18
Watch • 6:57
The American Revolution
One of the Most Extraordinary Expeditions in American History
Henry Knox leads a daring expedition to deliver artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston.
Clip: S1 E2 | 6:57
Watch • 7:52
The American Revolution
The Boston Massacre
A bloody clash between Bostonians and the British army leaves five dead in the Boston Massacre.
Clip: S1 E1 | 7:52
Watch • 7:33
The American Revolution
Liberty for Whom? Slavery, Protest and the Ideals of the Revolution
The revolutionary ideals of liberty spread across the colonies while many suffer from enslavement.
Clip: S1 E1 | 7:33
Watch • 2:05
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John Peters... an enemy to Congress?
John Peters was the most respected man in his small settlement until the First Continental Congress.
Clip: S1 E2 | 2:05
Watch • 7:28
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How Land, Taxes and Rebellion Sparked the American Revolution
The Stamp Act and taxes on American colonists lead to unrest and threaten to cause a revolution.
Clip: S1 E1 | 7:28
Watch • 3:11
The American Revolution
How the Townshend Acts Fueled a Resistance Movement
When the British imposed new taxes, women joined the Resistance Movement by the thousands.
Clip: S1 E1 | 3:11
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