Gladiator II

Ken Burns’ documentary, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, was an interesting watch. I highly anticipated it and can honestly say it was worth every minute. I learned more about the American Revolution from this six-part series than I ever did in grade school or college. I especially appreciated how the first two or three episodes focus heavily on the perspectives of Indigenous peoples of North America and enslaved Africans who were kidnapped and forced into labor on this land.

I also liked the reminders that slavery was not confined to the American South, but existed throughout the Midwest and the North as well. Many Americans tend to forget that the largest slave plantation in the country was once located in what is now Brooklyn, New York. While the North abolished slavery earlier than the South, life for Native Americans and Black people in those regions was still extremely difficult, as they were viewed as lower-class citizens or peasants.

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Unfortunately, this war cost the lives of many enslaved and Indigenous people. European governments fighting on this land often promised freedom and safety to Black and Native Americans who helped them combat their enemies. Many of those people never lived to see that freedom, and some who did were ultimately sold back into slavery. I also learned that during the 18th century, individuals as young as 14 years old could enlist in both the British and U.S. navies, which was shocking.

I appreciated the documentary’s emphasis on the American Revolution as an international war. The French fought the British, the British fought the Germans, Germans and Choctaw Indians defended themselves against the Spaniards, and so on. The Spaniards, in particular, mastered warfare in Florida and along the Gulf Coast and were able to teach their techniques to the French, often outmaneuvering the British. It is believed that in many of these battles, mosquitoes and frostbite killed more soldiers than bullets.

The documentary also challenges the traditional portrayal of George Washington. Rather than depicting him as an endlessly courageous and victorious leader, it highlights the many losses he suffered as a commander. The battles of 1776 appeared to deeply shake him, and it seems he spent much of the rest of his life trying to redeem his reputation. While he had moments of aggression, he was largely a passive leader, and many of his shortcomings are often conveniently overlooked. His encounters with Benedict Arnold further fueled his determination to reclaim his standing.

Before watching this documentary, I knew very little about Lake Champlain, but it proved to be a crucial element of the Revolutionary War. It served as one of the only practical invasion routes through otherwise rugged terrain. Whoever controlled Lake Champlain could efficiently move troops, weapons, and supplies, making it a major strategic turning point.

That said, there was a certain level of delusion among some of the commentators. Historian Bernard Bailyn repeatedly suggested that slavery was not considered a major issue in the late 18th century and that public outrage only emerged after the American Revolution. I strongly disagree with this view. It prioritizes the perspectives of those who were free and equal while completely disregarding the lived reality, suffering, and humanity of those who were enslaved and deemed unequal.

Overall, I give this documentary an 8.5 out of 10. It was well-produced, highly informative, and lived up to the hype. I deducted a few points due to its length and because some of the talking heads relied more on personal opinions and feelings than on established facts. When discussing a war they neither witnessed nor lived through, that approach felt inappropriate and distracting.