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Season 1

6 episodes · 23rd November 1997

Season details

Details

Episode guide

Episodes

01 The Reluctant Revolutionaries: 1763-1774 still The Reluctant Revolutionaries: 1763-1774 Episode 123rd November 1997 In 1763, the capitol city of America is London, George Washington is lobbying for a post in the British army, and no one thinks of Boston harbor when they hear talk of tea parties. In a dozen years, the colonies are on the brink of rebellion. What happens to bring this country so quickly near war with England? 02 Blows Must Decide: 1774-1776 still Blows Must Decide: 1774-1776 Episode 223rd November 1997 A total break from Great Britain remains hard for Americans to imagine, even after shots are fired at Lexington and Concord. Words push matters "Over the Edge" in 1776. Common Sense argues that it is the natural right of men to govern themselves. The Declaration of Independence declares this same idea a "self-evident" truth. For Americans, there is no looking back. There will be war with England. 03 The Times That Try Men's Souls: 1776-1777 still The Times That Try Men's Souls: 1776-1777 Episode 324th November 1997 Days after the Declaration of Independence is signed, a British force arrives in New York harbor. Washington and his troops are driven to New Jersey. With only a few days of enlistment left for many of his volunteers, a desperate Washington leads his army quietly across the Delaware River on the day after Christmas, 1776, to mount a surprise attack on a sleeping garrison in Trenton. 04 Oh Fatal Ambition: 1777-1778 still Oh Fatal Ambition: 1777-1778 Episode 424th November 1997 The "united" states remain in dire need of funds and military support. Congress dispatches Benjamin Franklin to France in hopes of creating an alliance which will provide both. Meanwhile, a British army marches down the Hudson River trying to cut off New England from the other colonies. The British are crushed by Americans at Saratoga. The French enter the conflict on the American side. 05 The World Turned Upside Down: 1778-1783 still The World Turned Upside Down: 1778-1783 Episode 525th November 1997 The British hope to exploit the issue of slavery and to enlist the support of loyalists in the south. They fail. After a series of brutal engagements, the British army heads for Virginia, only to be trapped by the miraculous convergence of Washington's army and the French fleet at Yorktown. The end of the war is at hand. 06 Are We to Be a Nation?: 1783-1788 still Are We to Be a Nation?: 1783-1788 Episode 625th November 1997 Peace comes to the United States, but governing the world's newest republic is no simple task. Congress is ineffectual and individual states act like sovereign nations. By the time the Constitutional Convention convenes in 1787, many wonder if the country can survive. The long ratification process helps define what sort of nation the United States is to be—a process that continues to this day.
Talent

Cast & Crew

01 Victor Garber profile Victor Garberas John Dickinson 02 Donna Murphy profile Donna Murphyas Abigail Adams 03 Alex Jennings profile Alex Jenningsas King George III 04 Anthony Heald profile Anthony Healdas Philip Vickers Fithian 05 Colm Feore profile Colm Feoreas Alexander Hamilton 06 Peter Donaldson profile Peter Donaldsonas John Adams 07 Stephen Lang profile Stephen Langas George Washington 08 Jefferson Mays profile Jefferson Maysas James Madison 09 Edward Herrmann profile Edward Herrmannas Narrator 10 Philip Seymour Hoffman profile Philip Seymour Hoffmanas Joseph Plumb Martin 11 Jane Adams profile Jane Adamsas Sara Scott 12 Jake Weber profile Jake Weberas Virginia Officer 13 Ellen Giffard profile Ellen GiffardDirector 14 Muffie Meyer profile Muffie MeyerDirector
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