The Revolution

Controversies and conflicts leading to war include the Stamp Act riots, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party.

Recalling the appointment of George Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army; and the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, during the seige of Boston.

Dark and devastating struggles quickly challenge the 1776 independence of America.

General Washington gambles on a brilliant yet dangerously daring stroke to save his army and America.

America's elder statesman, Benjamin Franklin, descends on Paris to seduce the French to join the fight against their common enemy, England. British General William Howe delivers a crushing blow to George Washington's troops at the Battle of Brandywine taking Philadelphia, the American capital, as his prize. But to the north, another American general enters the spotlight--Horatio Gates defeats British General John Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga. It is this victory that convinces France to enter the fight, turning the American Revolution into a world war.

Congress begins to question Washington's leadership; Washington rebuilds his reputation by holding back the British at the Battle of Monmouth.

General Benedict Arnold turns his back on his cause and country; Washington takes his war to the frontier.

Failing to defeat Washington, the British turn their attention southward; siege at Charleston, S.C.

After the fall of Charleston, S.C., the Revolutionary War explodes into the Carolina backcountry.

Washington faces two mutinies; the French send their fleet to America; Cornwallis moves his army to Yorktown.

The American victory at Yorktown; John Adams joins Benjamin Franklin in France to negotiate the Treaty of 1783.

George Washington is called into service as the nation's first president.

George Washington completes his eight-day journey from Mount Vernon to New York City for his inauguration.