Imagine having swallowed the nonsense of our founders being democratic and in favor of ALL men ( never women) being equal. And also that colonials were all in. To learn that they were promised 100 acres of INDIAN land as an inducement to fight. No one asked indigenous people about THAT. I thought that Bonaparte guy was right in his indignation. American exceptionalism, indeed. I know we shouldn’t see how the sausage is made, but damn.
I wonder if colonials ever got that land specifically/outright because of their service. Several times in the series there's mention they aren't getting paid & are in desperate need of proper winter clothes. Washington isn't inspiring a lot of confidence in me!
Honestly this is the first time I’ve watched anything on the American Revolution that I found inclusive. I was hyped after episode 1 feeling like , oh this isn’t just “ White People Sh#%t” As an African American Woman, I was never vested in the revolutionary history because, well you know, my people were listed as “the others”. Learning about Dunmore’s Ethiopian regiment and seeing freedmen negotiate their involvement gave me a spark.
I’m vested and like you, I’m not really intrigued by the battle by battle details but honestly I’m glad I’m here and will do deeper dives into the parts I find compelling.
Oh yes please provide a free pass to read the historian Stoermer’s perspective if you still have some available. Also thanks for your insight. It’s refreshing.
General Howe took the A train to Harlem and when he got off the train some very cool cats were blowing and he stopped and stood on the stoop and listened until a Jamaican woman hollered out "Git in here!" and that was that.
No history is ever accurate. Burns has gone a long way to opening historical subjects to many people who are deeply ignorant about their own history. This particular piece seems to give much more voice to the people who have been left out of written texts - indigenous, slaves, women. Not perfect, but for the average viewer, more realistic and accurate.
B - Thanks for the narrative - There is SOOOO much to learn by understanding history. I wonder if there is reference to the federalist papers wherein certain of the founders were mining history of ancient Athens and Sparta and Rome for the successes and failures from the past, and applying those lessons to the formation of a constitution that would enjoy success and avoid the failures. Also wondering if there is mention of the the enlightenment philosophers (Rousseau) that influenced statements such as "All men are created equal" and "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Looking forward to watching myself - so apologies for chiming in early.
There are definitely choices Burns made that historians can take issue with as not all encompassing and inclusive but I think one has to consider the current climate and RBG’s famous quote: "Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” If broadly aired and accepted, this will change the narrative that ALL students will be taught instead of the BS we were spoon-fed. I think Burns was strategic.
Imagine having swallowed the nonsense of our founders being democratic and in favor of ALL men ( never women) being equal. And also that colonials were all in. To learn that they were promised 100 acres of INDIAN land as an inducement to fight. No one asked indigenous people about THAT. I thought that Bonaparte guy was right in his indignation. American exceptionalism, indeed. I know we shouldn’t see how the sausage is made, but damn.
I wonder if colonials ever got that land specifically/outright because of their service. Several times in the series there's mention they aren't getting paid & are in desperate need of proper winter clothes. Washington isn't inspiring a lot of confidence in me!
I’d always heard that he was not a great military leader. Although he was, apparently, persuasive and liked. Guess he knew he was bs’ing his
troops, all the while knowing that they weren’t going to get squat
Honestly this is the first time I’ve watched anything on the American Revolution that I found inclusive. I was hyped after episode 1 feeling like , oh this isn’t just “ White People Sh#%t” As an African American Woman, I was never vested in the revolutionary history because, well you know, my people were listed as “the others”. Learning about Dunmore’s Ethiopian regiment and seeing freedmen negotiate their involvement gave me a spark.
I’m vested and like you, I’m not really intrigued by the battle by battle details but honestly I’m glad I’m here and will do deeper dives into the parts I find compelling.
Oh yes please provide a free pass to read the historian Stoermer’s perspective if you still have some available. Also thanks for your insight. It’s refreshing.
General Howe took the A train to Harlem and when he got off the train some very cool cats were blowing and he stopped and stood on the stoop and listened until a Jamaican woman hollered out "Git in here!" and that was that.
No history is ever accurate. Burns has gone a long way to opening historical subjects to many people who are deeply ignorant about their own history. This particular piece seems to give much more voice to the people who have been left out of written texts - indigenous, slaves, women. Not perfect, but for the average viewer, more realistic and accurate.
i would love a subscription to the historian tad stoermer’s column!!
B - Thanks for the narrative - There is SOOOO much to learn by understanding history. I wonder if there is reference to the federalist papers wherein certain of the founders were mining history of ancient Athens and Sparta and Rome for the successes and failures from the past, and applying those lessons to the formation of a constitution that would enjoy success and avoid the failures. Also wondering if there is mention of the the enlightenment philosophers (Rousseau) that influenced statements such as "All men are created equal" and "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Looking forward to watching myself - so apologies for chiming in early.
Anyone else think there are a highly suspicious number of fails as a result of “sneaking around at night, unheard and obscured by fog” ?
Exactly. How is General Howe, from LONDON, outwitted by fog?? Come on now he’s a patriot!
There are definitely choices Burns made that historians can take issue with as not all encompassing and inclusive but I think one has to consider the current climate and RBG’s famous quote: "Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” If broadly aired and accepted, this will change the narrative that ALL students will be taught instead of the BS we were spoon-fed. I think Burns was strategic.
would love a subscription!