The American Revolution

This is the first hour of a six-hour series on the American Revolution. It discusses the origins of the American Revolution, presenting both the colonial and the British points of view, as well as the early military encounters prior to 1776

Part 2 of the 6 part series. 1776 is a watershed year for the Americans, with the publishing of Thomas Payne's Common Sense, the Declaration of Independence, and an increase in hostilities between the American and English forces.

"The American Spirit" tells the story of the Continental Army's struggle against the British from the battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776 to Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga on October 17, 1777. Against terrible odds George Washington, the officers, and the soldiers of the Continental Army exploited the weaknesses of the British Army and convinced the world that the American cause was not hopeless.

One of the greatest American victories of the Revolutionary War occurred not on the battlefield but in the Court of France. Ben Franklin helped the American cause as Ambassador to France, convincing the French to enter the war in February, 1778. While Franklin worked in the opulent court of Louis XVI other Americans were fighting the British and their Native American allies on the rugged frontier.

After the Battle of Saratoga and the American alliance with France success seemed a real possibility. However, enormous weaknesses in the Americans' strategy remained. In August, 1780, Benedict Arnold was made commander of West Point. In this program Arnold's treachery is analyzed , as well as the role of American privateers fighting the British Navy.

The last year of the Revolutionary War was difficult for the Continental Army. In 1781 the Continentals were financially strapped and battle weary -- they fought on and defeated the British, driving Cornwallis's army from Yorktown in October of that year.