"The Shot Heard 'Round the World:" The Coming of the American Revolution

The Boston Massacre, The Boston Tea Party, The Battles at Lexington and Concord
Dramatic narration and authentically recreated scenes, enhanced with an original score, chronicles the settlement of the American Colonies, the formation of colonial governments, and the tension that resulted from the economic strain on Great Britain for its prosecution of the Seven Years War with France. It illustrates how Great Britain’s attempt to make the American colonies pay for its debts, among other issues, brought about the revolt. British Parliament's passage of The Stamp Act, the Sugar Act, the Tea Act, and the Intolerable Acts, and the effects of those on the colonies, are all thoroughly explained. The reaction of American settlers on the frontier, settling lands beyond the Proclamation Line of 1763, to events in Boston is portrayed. The production includes a dramatic portrayal of the opening battles at Lexington and Concord, and follows the disorganized militias from there to Boston, where 20,000 militia laid siege to the city and the British troops occupying Boston.

[@liennitram9291]

Well done. I'm absolutely fascinated by this era in America. I have nine ancestors who fought on the Revolution. They all came west after the war. Leaving behind NC, SC, and VA to claim their land grants. My Grandfather still owns the same farm that was settled in 1797 on the Green River.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

That's amazing. We'd love to see it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@kp6215]

So did my ancestors arrived from Germany before 1776.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!@@kp6215

[@chieffamilygenealogyoffice621]

Lost track around 20 soldiers for me….

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@liennitram9 I love the American Revolution but sadly it's never taught fully. Such as the Hispanic contribution of Spain who did so much on our behalf. Spain paid and funded the Yorktown campaign paying both the French and Continental soldiers who hadn't been paid for several months and years causing several mutinees and also paid and refurbished Degrasse's French fleet allowing Degrasse to travel to both the Chesapeake and later Yorktown which Spain also had a huge role in making Yorktown happen in the military planning, which is why the Spanish Ambassador was invited to the Yorktown victory celebration last year in October in recognition of Spain's decisive role! Spain also sent the very first foreign weapons to the American Revolution in February 1775 to Marblehead Massachusetts and also provided weapons at Saratoga in coordination with the French! It was Spanish General Bernardo de Gálvez who was kind and generous enough to release his own French troops under his command and ALLOWED Degrasse to take them to go reinforce Rochambeau at Yorktown! Thank you Spain! 🇪🇸

[@johnwilletts3984]

I’m a local historian in Rotherham Yorkshire England. It’s long forgotten now, but the Patriot Movement was British. It was founded in parliament back in 1725 as a branch of the Whig Party. Rotherham was Patriot and home to two powerful Whigs - Lords Effingham and Rockingham. These men believed that all Englishmen even American ones had the democratic right to chose their own governance. On a hilltop overlooking our town stands a monument called Boston Castle built in 1775 and named for the Boston Tea Party. Nearby at Parlington Hall Leeds stands a massive Victory Arch, built in 1783. Around the top it reads Liberty in N. America Triumphant. There were riots in England against the Tory Government. In 1780 a British Revolution was only narrowly avoided. But the entry into the conflict of those traditional enemies of France, Spain, Holland and the Mysore of India was to place British Patriots in a difficult position. They were willing only to fight these other nations, not their own people in the colonies. Everything changed in 1782 when Lord Rockingham was invited to become Prime Minister. He agreed on the condition that he be allowed to set America free! One of the ironies of the conflict was that the new USA became right wing Tory, whilst Britain itself became left wing Patriot. In 1825 the Patriot Party changed its name to the Liberal Party (Liberal as in Liberty) and so still exists in parliament to this day.

[@WhatsCookingTime]

That makes me happy to know this thank you. I'm from the Boston area. Makes me happy to hear that there's a Boston Castle. I

[@johnrudy9404]

And as American, I/We thank your people, who had the foresight to attempt to break away from the despotic rule of the Royals.

[@Delogros]

@@johnrudy9404That's not how the British government works, the Royals have no political power paticularly in forign affairs or taxation for example and havn't since the English civi war of 1642-1651... Also as a side note in all "freedom index" tables Britain has been above the USA until Covid though in 2023 it's only 1 position behind the US. Anyway you're thinking of a Absolute Monarchy which Britain hasn't been for almost 4 century's.

[@robanks3895]

@@johnrudy9404 Our royal family have no power anymore, we are not an absolute monarchy!

[@brealistic3542]

Thanks for that info.

[@kerrymarris4260]

One of the best videos on this era of our countries history.. bravo to all involved in making it.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@donnalindsay3731]

Loved and learned every minute of it! I’m just a simple retired nurse 😢who love our History Thank you! This should be shown, taught, and tested every student! These folks coined the phrase as offended for Real offenses! These were real men and women with more gusts and fortitude than any since!

[@robertd.carver6240]

Utterly fascinating! This film should be shown in every high school American history class.

[@gordonlandreth9550]

You got that right !

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@robertd.carver6240 It should also be taught that Hispanics also fought in the American Revolution! Spain supplied the very first foreign weapons to the American Revolution in February 1775 in Marblehead Massachusetts! Spain also supplied American patriots with muskets at Saratoga in coordination with the French! Spain paid and funded the Yorktown campaign paying both the French and Continental soldiers who hadn't been paid for several months and years causing several mutinees and also paid and refurbished Degrasse's French fleet allowing Degrasse to travel to both the Chesapeake and later Yorktown which Spain also had a huge role in making Yorktown happen in the military planning! Spanish General Bernardo de Gálvez was kind and generous enough to release his own French troops under Spanish command and ALLOWED Degrasse to take them to go reinforce Rochambeau at Yorktown! We simply could not have won the war without Spain! Not just France!

[@STho205]

But then students with good minds could draw parallels with current society and usurpation.

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@@STho205 Can you be more specific for us small minded uneducated folks lol!

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@@STho205 Can you please be more specific??

[@steveparker8785]

I grew up in the Deep South, but loved everything about American History. When I was in the Navy in 1969, I was stationed in Boston and walked the “Freedom Trail” many times. Then I visited Lexington and Concord and read several books, both fictional and historical about the early days of the Revolution. Amazing Courage and fortitude lived for real then. “By the Rude Bridge which arced the Flood” is still a stirring poem as is “ The midnight ride of Paul Revere.” Each spring, my wife and I read the latter one in full in celebration of that event! A truly wonderful and succinct detailing of all the run up and starting of hostilities in the Colonies. Thank you all for this presentation.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Great story!

[@brealistic3542]

It's great you got to live in that area for a while and absorb the tremendous history there.

[@raywhitehead730]

It was great being a kid in the 1960's in Lexington, Massachusetts. Actually, I went to the Library in Lexington which from a reading desk on the second floor you had a direct view to Lexington Green, where the battle started. It was exciting to read about as you saw the whole battlefield laid out right in front if your eyes. At the time I walked to the library from our trailer park, at Hanscom Field. I was in the 4th grade.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for sharing that wonderful memory with us!

[@johnrudy9404]

Excellent!! Your experience ans story just informed the world.

[@edwardmaiorana9360]

You were A Very LUCKY BOY!!!! CHEERS!!!!

[@stevelawrence5123]

Hate to say it, but I see many similarities to today except the arrogance and lack of concern for the victims of their harmful regulations and policies are coming from Washington DC instead of London.

[@920WASHBURN]

Plot twist, they're still coming from london

[@WhatsCookingTime]

And that's why they don't want to teach this history in schools anymore like we learned when we were kids because they know the kids today will see how corrupt the government is

[@WhatsCookingTime]

Maybe it's cuz I grew up in the Boston area and you can't help but think about it all the time and learning about it in school back when they used to teach the stuff I see similarities all the time I see the people of this country to be so pathetic thinking we're so is free as we used to be. The rate of taxation is beyond. How much of our own money doesn't go to America

[@grizzlygrizzle]

@@WhatsCookingTime -- And then, there's the continuing attempts by tyrants, whether from London or Washington, to disarm citizens.

[@4houndswhoheal479]

Well, it's EVEN MORE in sync with pre-CIVIL War. Only 1% of population in the South owned 99% of the Wealth, South was inundated by ignorant white supremacists.

[@HollyMoore-wo2mh]

The best video I have ever seen on the explanation of the American Revolution. 🇺🇸

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@HollyMoore-wo... It's awesome! Let's just hope they tell the whole story lol! The American Revolution was more than just the 13 Colonies! It was a world global war that also included the 13 Colonies!

[@jeddiajones4570]

...then I would suggest you watch some more accurate videos.

[@markeyfarrell]

@@jeddiajones4570 ''' really ? how about revealing some of what YOU call 'more accurate videos'. Coming from a Massachusetts family with generations of persons studying this period... this is one of the single MOST accurate AND comprehensive videos presenting the true history.

[@oliver2846]

This was the most informative video I have ever seen Re-the American revolution.

[@noelolivier5301]

I agree...real facts.

[@RetiredSailor60]

My maternal side goes back to 1611 at Jamestown Settlement from England. My 7 times great grandfather, William Stone, was the 3rd Colonial Governor of Maryland 1649-1655 and my 5 times great uncle, Thomas Stone, signed the Declaration Of Independence....

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting. What a very interesting family history you have. The second film in the series, currently in pre-production, will cover the story of the Declaration. Sign up for our newsletter to read our series on the Signers of the Declaration!

[@gullybull5568]

was they jaccobites ?

[@kenb3552]

And what have you done with your life??

[@RetiredSailor60]

@@kenb3552 I served my country in the armed forces for 21 years.

[@ShadowRidgeSchool]

Very cool!

[@HistoryRebels]

This is great, I love the visuals and narration in this telling

[@deborahtbowers4324]

Love reading the comments! Glad our American history still means something to a few of us ! How do we move forward if we have no idea of our past?!!! Those were difficult times, but so many many brave and amazing men and women! So sad what we have become today!!! Stand strong, no matter the difficulties!!🇺🇲

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thank you!

[@donnalindsay3731]

🇺🇸🦅✝️

[@MrKnoxguy101]

Very well done, very thorough. It’s very important to discuss the people involved, from royalty to rank and file, as well as what came before and after the revolution, as well as everything in between. You did just that. As an SAR member in East Tennessee who has seen and marked with honor many of the graves of these American Patriots, thank you very much.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Thanks for your dedication to the SAR.

[@annewalker9221]

You are exactly right…I was unaware of how high tensions had been brewing for at least 20 years before the Revolution… excellent explanation of how the colonies were set up; thus, forming the electoral assemblies/legislature of how the colonists governed themselves…this justified to me why the Revolution had to be fought… It explained how the 7 Year War was fought over 5 continents…it looped a lot of information, which I could form a time line. Excellent video.

[@r.menzel8020]

The fascinating history which led up to the revolutionary war well told. I thought to myself what don't I know about this period and alas there is much. After listening to your documentary I am re- enlightened. Thanks so much for the story of the brave men and their resolves to create an American Liberty. ✨🇺🇲✨

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@secretsquirrel6308]

I highly recommend the books by David Hackett. Note, Hackett was a research source for this project.

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@r.menzel8020 There's an ocean of knowledge we don't know about the American Revolution! I'm trying to learn more myself and trying to put everything in perspective as best I can. Example, historian Thomas Chavez said that Spain sent Spanish arms to the Continental army but they were sent from France inside French ships! So naturally when the ships arrived everyone assumed the entire cargo was only French weapons lol! Huge mistake but understandable. Spain also sent muskets to American Patriots at Saratoga! So it wasn't just France as everyone believes lol! So that's a couple of examples that people hopefully learn better and appreciate.

[@RandyFrench-z4c]

Let us never forget those before us who were so brave to have laid down their lives for our freedom thank you to all veterans.

[@hitman456]

U.S. Navy 1980-1994

[@annechildress2721]

Proud of my ancestors! Patriots! DAR member here!

[@danielstuart700]

I saw this drop earlier today. I've been illuminated, inspired & awed . . . both by our history and the telling of it. Immediately, I shared this with some of my most important people (my 3 sons). One of whom is working on his PhD in History. Thank you

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@jay-by1se]

Holy hell, I feel like we are living through this all over again.

[@hpillsbury06]

I knew some soldiers from the UK. They told me, no British soldier would ever fire without orders.

[@Lars171968]

I so enjoyed this video!! God bless the USA! I love my Country and her stand for liberty!

[@bashkimgjikokaj275]

Yes I Blass Amerika First 🇦🇱 to. Freundschaft not Allais.

[@rolandhawken6628]

The major cause of the American revolution ,was the fact that the British were putting an end to slavery stopping ships on the open sea, the colonies feared a serious loss of income from the trade . Then you have the finance act that the colonies did not like ,of course the winners kept it in place . Now add in the mix the British did not want war with the Indians so they would not allow further encroachment onto their land ,this angered the upper class which were in fact Barons, land Barons , GW owned 135 slaves as to how he treated them there are seriously conflicting reports . GW also owned thousands of acres . Now what were you saying about freedom?

[@Davemurray2880isaindian]

​@@rolandhawken6628Dam you stole my comments.

[@pickititllneverheal9016]

​@@rolandhawken6628You must go to Berkeley. Don't you have a bottom surgery appointment to get to?

[@rolandhawken6628]

@@pickititllneverheal9016 Well you have lost me mate ,no doubt your post makes some kind of sense to you .

[@gfurstnsu]

Very well done. After hearing this history and the depth of the support of the revolution, I cannot understand why the revolutionary war was not more supported by the continental congress in Philadelphia. We would have lost this war and all the signers of the Declaration of Independence hung, if the French had not entered on our side at Yorktown. We had few victories prior to that battle. George Washington always had a difficult time raising troops and receiving financial support for the troops under his command. He was always short of financial support from Philadelphia. With the background provided by this wonderful presentation, I cannot understand the lack of support that Washington received!!

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@gfurstnsu It was a team effort all around! It wasn't just France. Spain offered to protect French possessions in the Caribbean allowing Degrasse to travel to both the Chesapeake and later Yorktown which Spain also paid and funded paying both the French and Continental soldiers who hadn't been paid for several months and years causing several mutinees! Spain paid to refurbish Degrasse's French fleet and it was Spanish General Bernardo de Gálvez who was kind and generous enough to release his own French troops under Spanish command and ALLOWED Degrasse to take them to go reinforce Rochambeau at Yorktown! Remember the American Revolution was a world global war and not just within the 13 Colonies as we're so used to seeing it. Over 100,000 Spanish soldiers and sailors fought against the British helping us win American independence! At least 17,000 Spanish troops fought in Florida and the Caribbean. As Historian Larrie Ferreiro said America could never have won the war without France. France could NEVER have fought the war without Spain! In fact, historian Thomas Chavez said Spain tipped the balance in favor of both France and the American Colonies!

[@davidrodriguez-so8lq]

It goes to show that politicians don’t always have your interest at heart ,so 250 years gone by and nothing really changes DC wants your money but doesn’t want to provide you with security and your god given rights ,take away the camera and you will notice that damage being done

[@WhatsCookingTime]

Just like today the politicians often received all kinds of money they claim to support the people but they supported the crown it's just different names today

[@okie-kan9240]

This is best chronicle of how the American Revolution came to be. I wish every American would watch this. This is what should be taught in school, but unfortunately, we get watered down Cliff Note, politically motivated, and fictionalized, lessons on the subject. Thank you so much for this!

[@blockmasterscott]

I just love how America and Britain are close friends now. 😊

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@rocknbury]

Love a feudal system a monarchy controlled by Windsor why

[@barbdavis8157]

OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY!! Well done. Two huge thumbs up. 👍👍

[@matthewserkert4401]

God bless the folks who produced this documentary. It is excellent.

[@brentinnes5151]

I am only 8 mins in but I am willing to bet it is one of the best, maybe the best doc on this topic I have ever seen

[@brentinnes5151]

I was right

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thank you!

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@kirkwhitfield5257]

I'm British i dont blame the American colonies from breaking away, today were over taxed by this government i have every sympathy for them, very good video and very detailed step by step

[@kathleenvandesompele2992]

Great job ! I would love to see more on our road to freedom 🎉

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Stay tuned! Part 2 is in pre-production! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@gordonlandreth9550]

​@@witnessinghistoryeducation5885Very good to hear - you folks do one hell of a job .

[@catz1215]

This was a very well done program! I wish I had history teachers that made history fun and exciting because I would have done better. I love this era of history not only because George Washington and John Adams are distant cousins to my family but because it is fascinating that we with a large help from France against a mighty army like England could win a war with so few soldiers is unheard of. I don't believe this could happen in today's world.

[@jugg3647]

England didn't have a "mighty army" at the time - not compared with European armies of the time.

[@robanks3895]

@@jugg3647 Yes we did!

[@robanks3895]

The Brits were well trained, disciplined and armed, the American farmers etc did well to beat us, so all credit to them!

[@walterfranklindavis]

Excellent Work! Your documentary was not only well produced and narrated, it was highly informative and entertaining. Bravo! It's just the type of American history education that is so badly needed for America's lamentably history-challenged youth. Although a life-long student and enthusiastic reader of American history, and the author of an upcoming series of books for middle-grade and high-school students entitled "Flags of Freedom," I learned many new facts about pre-Revolutionary American history that I didn't know. Please continue your admirable efforts to educate and inspire new generations of American Patriots with more content like this! - Walter Franklin Davis

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thank you for watching and commenting! You can support the efforts of Witnessing History with a tax-deductible donation at www.witnessinghistory.org/donate/

[@stevenburkhardt1963]

My ancestors were English and settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the mid 17th century shortly after the Pilgrims arrived. I had one ancestor fight in the Revolution

[@-PanzerRabbit-]

Yes yes , but did you support the "tuck rule" 🤔

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

People forget the American Revolution wasn't just an American Revolution! It was a world global war! Hispanics also fought in the American Revolution! Spanish aid was vital and decisive for American independence! France alone could never have led the 13 Colonies to victory. Spain tipped the balance in favor of both France and the American Colonies!

[@justincase5583]

The French Navy helped us a whole lot during the revolution , more than they get credit for.

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@@justincase5583 More than they get credit for??? France is always praised and praised and praised just perfectly lol! Yes, their navy was vital at Yorktown which was completely funded by Spain who paid to refurbish Degrasse's French fleet and allowed about three to five thousand French troops under Spanish command to be released and handed over to DeGrasse to go and reinforce Rochambeau at Yorktown! Yeah, you never hear about that! This past October I think, the Spanish Ambassador was invited to the Yorktown victory celebration of 2023 in recognition of Spain's decisive role in helping America win independence!

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 of this series on the American Revolution! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@CipiRipi-in7df]

Basically every major revolution became a global war. Just look at the French Revolution of 1789, or the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. Both started as inside troubles but in almost no time descended into global wars.

[@Hunter_Nebid]

Please cite evidence of Spain tipping the balance.

[@kimweidner7351]

This documentary makes me EXTREMELY proud of it!!! It talked about precious little Christopher Snider at 11 years old being likely the first casualty of the Revolutionary War. And then it highlighted the fact that a black man took a bullet for our country and he too could arguably be credited for being the first casualty of the Revolutionary War. This fact that wasn’t overlooked by this production thrills me because not a lot of people know these facts. Especially groups out there that want to bring about division and want to muddy up our history and exclude details that are enriching to our American 🇺🇸 people regardless of our various hues and phenotypes. Thank you for bringing this on, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Being a huge history buff, I happen to have already known about Christopher Snyder and Crispus Attucks. You get my stamp of approval for telling the truth and not omitting.

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@kimweidner7351 Our American Revolution history is definitely muddy lol! Let's hope they tell the complete whole story of the American Revolution which was in fact a world 🌎 🌍 global war! And not just within the 13 Colonies! Hope they mention the Hispanic contribution of Spain without whom we could never have won! 🇪🇸

[@bbmtge]

No need for the drama and self-congratulatory attitude.

[@timothybageant7429]

This is the most detailed history of the United States I have ever heard. So we’ll done.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@MichaelTreacy-fi7gv]

DEAR JESUS , please don't let there be a second shot

[@bashkimgjikokaj275]

Yes Jesus Christus.

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

Spain funded and paid to refurbish Degrasse's French fleet and also funded the Yorktown campaign! It was Spanish General Bernardo de Gálvez who was kind and generous enough to release his own French troops under Spanish command and ALLOWED Degrasse to take them to go reinforce Rochambeau at Yorktown! Thank God for Spain!

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting. This film is just about the coming of the Revolution. We will cover Spain in part three of the series on the Revolution.

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@@witnessinghistoryeducation5885 Awesome! Hope you'll mention the massive capture of the British convoy of 55 British ships out of 63 that Spanish Admiral Luis de Cordova captured which was on its way to the Americas and perhaps India. Cordova captured over three thousand prisoners and massive weapons and supplies that could have been used against American forces. Also Louisiana Governor Bernardo de Gálvez and his victory at Mobile and especially Pensacola which as one historian quoted, broke the British will to fight!

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Wonderful enthusiasm for and knowledge of history!@@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr The Yorktown story is yet to come!

[@jugg3647]

Basically the British of the time didn't care about the americam colonies. This was a country which had just emerged victorious from the first global conflict - the seven years war - the country was almost broke and definitely tired of pointless wars in distant irrelevant savage and barbaric regions of the globe. Britain was far more concerned with Europe which was far far more relevant culturally politically economically than uncivilised squalid corners of what was becoming a global empire. Britain basically had just won an empire and within 20 years later won the Napoleonic war. Can we really believe that Britain of the day would have the lost the war of independence if Britain had really gave a damn?

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@@jugg3647 I know for absolute certainty the bloody Brits gave a damn about Jamaica more than the nobody poor struggling 13 Colonies lol! Yeah, I suppose mighty England could have really won the war if they wanted to. Who knows? But the reality is they lost and lost bigly..as Trump says lol..I think. Spain was everywhere helping us! Not just France. Spain paid to refurbish Degrasse's French fleet and offered to protect the French possessions in the Caribbean allowing Degrasse to travel to the Chesapeake and then Yorktown which Spain also fully funded paying both France and the Continental army who hadn't been paid for several months and years causing several mutinees! Spanish coin brought calmness and moral amongst the troops to finish the job! And it was Spanish General Bernardo de Gálvez who was kind and generous enough to release his own French troops under his command and ALLOWED Degrasse to take them to go reinforce Rochambeau at Yorktown! You're welcome!

[@ChicagoWheels]

I wasnt there then BUT I AM here NOW!!!! Beware not to Tread on ME!

[@PPISAFETY]

I found this through a KZbin suggestion and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was very well done and full of interesting details. Looking forward to future videos.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Awesome, thank you!

[@brucec2635]

For my grandkids. Knowledge is power.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@maxfield9873]

April 19th is Patriots Day. Americans need to remember. These moments shaped our culture. Never forget.

[@paulbagley1020]

May I offer my sincere congratulations on a superbly accurate presentation covering the early days that led to the founding of a new nation, The United States of America? As a son of Concord, Massachusetts, and a minor historian of Americana, I am impressed with the details incorporated in this program. Well done!

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thank you, sir, for watching and commenting! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@samsungtap4183]

Doesn't mention the fact that the colonies were booming with access to British markets around the world. Never even touches on the real driving force for independence that is a select group of Oligarchs seizing power in the name of Liberty. Washington was after all the richest man in the colonies. Yes liberty for them the ruling class to do want they want without the shackels of the crown around their necks and they did and they still do exactly as they please ! Such wonderful potential wasted...a ineffectual government, a environment largly destroyed, a debt based economy which is on a one way ticket to the moon...greatings from Vietnam...hope i don"t get droned.

[@affnt]

Exceptionally well done! I’m so impressed and glad I came across this video.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@kohl57]

I have to say this is simply exceptional. Refreshing to have history presented as facts not polemic. It's detailed yet concise, engaging and narrated with authority without preaching. Well illustrated. And like good history, inspiring, sobering and reflective. Absolutely first class! Thank you for publishing this.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thank you for watching and commenting! We are deeply grateful for the feedback.

[@marcybrooks3425]

I couldn't stop watching. Probably the best and in keeping with our early traditions of the war I was immensely inspired and stirred. God bless whoever put this together and for a "statesman" with such a noble demeanor to tell the story. Thank you!

[@robertalpy]

I believe the tavern where the boston assembly reconvene after it was dissolved and where the sons of liberty regularly met, was called The Green Dragon.

[@kenb3552]

NOPE. Bostonian here. The Green Dragon is where the BRITISH met. There is still a pub at the same spot called the Green Dragon.

[@robertalpy]

@kenb3552 I'm not going to suggest you don't know your town, only that this part of history escaped you. I once had an English Professor insist to me that English was a romantic language. He apparently was taught that himself and nobody in ten yearschad as of that point corrected him. I carefully informed him that it was in fact a germanic language, but in some aspects had romance language influences such as naming procedures in science and medicine.and double naming of animals due to the Norman influence in Britain and it's inability to wholly or even slightly alter the language in any meaningful way as spoken. But beef is franco- Norman and Cow is english. The new Norman overlords saw the meat and continued to use that wors for the animals on their plate...the French word. The Anglo-Saxon peasants never ate the meat or so rarely that the new Franco Norman words became to them a word for the cooked dish which didn't in their minds equate to the living animal and the Norman lords would never see the dirty living animal if they could help ot so the absorption of the Franco Norman nobility into Anglo Saxon culture left these few remnants. Academics was often in Latin for both even before the Norman conquest though The Venerable Beade and King Alfred The Great both translated some texts they thought important into Old English. So it came as an embarrassing shock to this English Professor that he had been passing a very false premise on for years as English was definitely Germanic and not a Romantic Language as it is commonly spoken. Though I conceded that due to the romantic languages heavy use in academia and in small ways it's use in language ,the confession was not as embarrassing as was thought. I will say the same to you. In a popular game I think a loyalist spy spent alot of time eavesdropping at The Green Dragon. This is a fiction that likely has some basis in truth as The Green Dragon was both the headquarters for the freemasons lodge and The Sons of Liberty. Two secret societies that had so many overlaps they could be thought of as linked or at least the sons of liberty seem to be an offshoot of the Boston lodge. I wouldn't normally suggest Wikipedia as a source, but this is a well known fact and they have got it right on this case. There are further sources that are actually peer reviewed that will attest to the basic facts on Wikipedia being correct. You are going to hate me for this...but worst of all I'm an upstate New Yorker and a die hard Yankees fan. They are going to win it all this year! Go yanks!

[@kenb3552]

@@robertalpy Hmmmmm - I concede the point. I stand corrected. But the Yankees are NOT going to win the World Series this year.

[@ServicePro-e2b]

The story is great ! Magnificent, but the story we are given is the confrontation between a suppressed group of people with their owners. What is missing is how and where and from who the Sons of Liberty got their arms, gunpowder, uniforms. One can't believe a group of people just fought one, if not the greatest military personnel of it's time with brooms and sticks. The ratio of British soldiers to civilians in Boston was for every 3 civilians there was a British soldier. Lots of gaps unfilled.

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@user-Ir7hp7td1r Yes alot of gaps unfilled indeed! The American Colonies and Patriots could never have won the American Revolution without foreign aid! The very first foreign weapons to arrive especially for the American Revolution came from Spain in February 1775! The Gardoqui family sent New Englanders 300 Spanish muskets and 600 Spanish pistols to start off with! Later on Spain would send constant support in both weapons and supplies! It's very difficult to know exactly how much aid was given by Spain who did so much to help us defeat the British! One cargo we know of (there were many more) was about 30,000 muskets, 216 bronze cannons, 30,000 uniforms, 4,000 Field tents, 300,000 pounds of gunpowder, over 51,000 bullets and much, much more! Spain also sent muskets and other armaments to the American Colonies from France inside French ships and when the ships arrived everyone assumed the entire cargo was only French lol! Huge mistake but understandable!

[@donnalindsay3731]

I love this whole period in our History! Walked through so many sites, read every plaque(much to my family’s eye rolling) this is what it took to make us free! I appreciate the History Lesson-never too old for reminders, new lessons lest we forget how we got to this freedom!🇺🇸🦅✝️

[@clockendfarm]

Wrote you a private email but wanted to give you thanks in public as well. So grateful for these fine documentaries. Thank you so very much.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@stevediehl613]

Great job on the back story leading up to concord and the start of the revolution.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@tabuilder]

Thank you for a fantastic, detailed telling of the history of the birth of our nation. This should be mandatory viewing in every high school in America I thought I knew our story unlit you educated me.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Consider making a secure online, tax-deductible donation via PayPal at this link: www.witnessinghistory.org/donate/

[@HJBounell]

The sons of liberty are still with us today............

[@gordonlandreth9550]

Good to know . Keep your powder dry !

[@WhatsCookingTime]

Yes

[@MrsKelly-pc3sg]

History is literally at my front door. I live right at the site of the shot heard round the world. Live in a home built by these men 🇺🇸 love this country!

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@superviviente100]

At the end of 1776, just six months after the historic United States Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution was dying. New York had fallen and George Washington's Continental Army was in retreat. Philadelphia, seat of the Continental Congress, seemed to have its hours numbered. The newly born North American nation lacked a navy, artillery worth its salt, military training, gunpowder... and the real chances of defeating Great Britain; at least by itself. At the same time, France was an unreliable ally against England, its navy was impotent and weak, its army was in no condition to win, its finances were bankrupt, and its territories in America to deploy its troops were non-existent. France was simply an insufficient ally. Without Spain's diplomatic, financial, military, and naval support, the American cause would never have triumphed. Spain possessed the only war fleet capable of defeating England, dominated the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Caribbean, the Mississippi and the vast territories of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. Its finances continued to be strong, its currency adopted by the US was the standard world currency, the eight real, later the Spanish dollar, its territories allowed the deployment of troops, the planning of combats and the continuous provisioning of the Washington troops. Spanish military support was key in the Atlantic under the command of Admiral Luis de Córdova, in the Caribbean with José Solano, Bonet and Gálvez himself, the seizures of English ships and soldiers were epic and the victories masterfully executed by true experts in the field. war art. Without the involvement of Spain, history would not speak of the American Revolution, without Spain the independence of the United States of America is not understood. Spain freed the 13 colonies from British oppression.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting! You will so love Parts 2 and 3, coming soon, since THIS particular film ends with the events of 1775! This film is the first in a three-part series on the Revolution!

[@kenb3552]

Spain certainly contributed, because it was an ally of France, so when France entered the war, Spain did too. But you are really exaggerating. Your second paragraph is totally inaccurate. If it were true, then Benjamin Franklin and John Adams would not have spent all that time in France trying to convince them to enter the war, they would have been in Spain.

[@superviviente100]

@@kenb3552 "As a matter of fact, some suggest we wouldn’t be an independent country were not for you guys some years ago!" ~President Joe Biden JUNE 28, 2022 www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/06/28/remarks-by-president-biden-and-king-felipe-vi-of-the-kingdom-of-spain-before-bilateral-meeting-madrid-spain/ "Thus, if you labor under the notion that the first & best support the American rebels obtained came from France, you need to rethink the facts! Spain’s support exceeded that of France by a longshot and, as stated, was more timely in coming!" - W. Kristjan Arnold author, historian "In the history books, we're all led to believe that France was the big hero of the American Revolutionary War! Who was the Senior member of this family? (Bourbon Compact) Who was calling the shots? SPAIN! But Spain was quiet about it, because during all this time, it was negotiating with Portugal about what would soon become Brazil!" ~Ed Butler historian "They (France) didn't enter the war (American Revolution) until Spain granted them PERMISSION to do it! Which is interesting!" ~Thomas Chavez historian "From the beginning, France knew that in order to defeat the British, the Spanish contribution was necessary!" ~Gonzalo Quintero Saravia historian "France knew that it couldn't defeat Great Britain by itself! And that's evident through all kinds of primary source materials! Not the least of which is the Vergennes, the minister of state to Louis XVI writing to him saying, "PRAY SIRE THAT SPAIN JOINS US OR WE ARE LOST!" That's an exact quote! What does that mean? If France can't win the war, the colonies aren't going to win the war!" ~Thomas Chavez historian "Unquestionably, Bernardo de Gálvez was the right man in the right place at the right time-for the United States of America!" ~Thomas Fleming historian "I agree, that Lafayette and the French were valiant and important in the American Revolution. But in fact, on the mainland, Spain fought more battles, provided more troops and won more victories! ~Kathleen DuVal historian "Now it is being discovered that quantitatively Spain contributed more men and military material than France. I support it. It was absolutely decisive for American independence!" ~HUGO O'DONNELL historian "America could never have won the war without France. France could never have fought the war without Spain!" ~Larrie Ferreiro historian (In other words, both America and France could never have fought, nor have won the American Revolution without Hispanics!) "Many people may be surprised to hear it but Spain won the American Revolution!" ~Kathleen DuVal historian ("Kathleen's quote is much better! I said it first... Hers is more to the point!" - Larrie Ferreiro historian 2022) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHnMhXRth6h9q6c

[@dannymayhew2749]

Outstanding production, by far the best I’ve ever known!

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@thomaslehmann5981]

Best narration ever heard in ANY documentary

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thank you for watching and commenting! Let us know what you think of our other films on this channel!

[@renatonanaysr.9634]

the birth of liberty and freedom gave Americans the true love of people and loyalty to the Country a symbol of power . since then that power of strength of the American people develop a remarkable foundation of love of freedom all over the world. God bless America.

[@jugg3647]

just not for black people though

[@stanyeaman4824]

The American was really the outcome of The Enlightenment which was sweeping Europe and very strongly in GB which was, along with Netherlands, the most politically free, or only the politically free, countries in Europe. The Enlightenment started with England’s and Scotland’s (they were separate countries then) Glorious Revolution of 1689 which established most of the institutions of a democracy we have today,- free parliament, political parties, free press, parliamentary control of all expenditure and the armed forces, free enterprise. While the Americans were writing their Declaration of Independence Prof Adam Smith of Glasgow was writing his Wealth of Nations arguing for free enterprise and against the stamp taxes being imposed on Americans. These philosophies spread quickly to America through its universities, but most regrettably the Crown did not think constitutional monarchy extended to the colonies. A massive mistake which made the American Revolution inevitable.

[@stanyeaman4824]

@@jugg3647some of the black people got their freedom by joining the British Army. At the end of the war they went back to Africa to found Sierra Leone, with the capital of the of the new country aptly named Freetown.

[@excaliburironforce9908]

​@@stanyeaman4824that is why some say William Pitt was the greatest lord & PM England ever had🎩

[@mikedarr6968]

This documentary is Extremely well done, as well as Extremely informative. Kudos to all responsible.

[@maryjocully8806]

Fantastic film. It held my interest throughout and even though I knew how it would end, the film nonetheless kept me engaged and invested. Narration was superb and kept me waiting for what would happen next as the story intensified. Going to share this video with everyone in my life. Thank you to all who worked on this film.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@karengilliland2439]

One of the best explanations as to why the American Revolution happened that I have ever heard or seen. Excellent video.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@tony3313]

No offense to the generation that fought in WWII, God Bless them. But I the think the Colonial Patriots were the greatest generation. A rag tag bunch of farmers taking on the mightiest country in the world at that time. They sure had brass sets, that's for sure.

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

@tony3313 Well, brass sets or bravery alone doesn't win battles or wars! The American Colonies or Patriots could never have won without foreign aid! Over 90% of the weapons-muskets, cannons came from overseas. Spain and France. Not just France as everyone believes lol! In fact, according to historian Thomas Chavez several of Spanish muskets and other armaments were sent to the American Colonies from France inside French cargo! So when the ships arrived everyone naturally assumed the entire cargo was only French lol! Huge mistake but understandable. Spain also sent weapons to Saratoga in 1777 in coordination with the French! So it's not just France as everyone thinks.

[@brittnchargmail]

Staying true to the systems that got us here starts with education 👍

[@jimrutherford2773]

An excellent and well made documentary. I really like the detail presented on how things ramped up to Lexington. The Acts, military presence, increase in rhetoric, etc. The first military engagement was inevitable. You can only stretch a rubberband so far before it snaps.

[@loneranger515]

This was a wonderful and succinct explanation of the events that led to the Revolutionary War. Our own representatives should watch this to remind them that Americans value liberty above all else and that we are capable of taking the actions necessary to preserve them.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@southerne5575]

Well done as always. Thanks for giving us this great video and your love of history. For sharing that.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@CRUZER1800]

Most excellent program.... Enjoyed every minute. Thank You Russ

[@peggybrown9694]

Very well done. Just the facts explained clearly and accurately. This should be required viewing in every American High School.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@mp28333]

Wow. Just wow. This was so very entertaining and informative to watch. Thank you 👍

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!😀

[@maureenmckenna5220]

Beautifully done. Deeply entertaining and insightful. Clearly delineates the decisions by the British that led to the American Revolution. The culture of freedom and independence that the colonies engendered was totally misunderstood by the British. Frankly, British rule was so onerous, that I’m surprised the war didn’t start before 1776.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@youtubehatesus2651]

This is awesome. Watching now. Thank you.

[@Monster11B]

Excellent presentation. I can't wait to see the other two parts.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@darring2634]

Great video! Your attention to historical detail is refreshing. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@Waitingforthewormstocome]

Wow! This was so well put together. I loved it! Thank you!

[@Dov_ben-Maccabee]

Superbly done!

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Civilwarman40]

ive been waiting so long for this documentry thanks for the hard work im sure you put into it thanks thanks thanks thanks

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

We have too! You are welcome! Parts 2 and 3 of the film series are in pre-production and we hope to release them in less time!

[@Civilwarman40]

@witnessinghistoryeducation5885 ok thank you I can't wait

[@kenb3552]

And yet you have a photo of Robert E Lee? A traitor???

[@edwinharrison5992]

absolutely one of the best docs ive watched about the revolution and the events that led to it i love the attention to details here and the elements of the attrocities that eventually became the basis of our civil liberties and beloved bill of rights well done

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting! We appreciate the feedback.

[@markstaggs7342]

This was absolutely awesome,Thank you.

[@cathleenweston3541]

My family came to America in 1630 Quinnipiac ,CT and 1730 Philadelphia. I was 60 years old when I found out. The rest came from Prussia in 1850 to of course, Wisconsin. I am Humbled nd thrilled.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thank you, Cathleen, for watching and commenting. If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift to support the next film in this series, "The Year 1776" please donate online at www.witnessinghistory.org/donate/. We are delighted with your support.

[@cowboy101lisa]

Timely presentation. “After a long train of abuses…”

[@wbiro]

Always good to strengthen one's grasp on the lesser-known aspects, periods, and people of history Nicely done (and I only listened).

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thank you!

[@crocadillius6418]

The story of Samuel Whittemore at this time is a great story of the national spirit then and now, I think. He was an old man in the way of the British as they marched back from Lexington and Concord. He was told to leave, but instead he took up his arms and went to fight in the middle of the street. He killled three (of about 700) British before being shot, beaten about the head, and bayoneted 13 times and left to die in a pool of his own blood. He later recovered from his injuries and lived for 18 more years, dying of old age at nearly 100.

[@glenkelley6048]

Thank You for an excellent presentation, including first class (loud and clear) narration.!

[@gelkins2207]

This was excellent, thank you!

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching!

[@SteveAubrey1762]

I have learned so much from this video. I appreciate the makers of this

[@CheerfulFerryBoat-ug8gr]

"In fact Spain, fought more battles, provided more troops and won more victories in the American Revolution!" - Kathleen DuVal professor of history North Carolina at Chapel Hill Over 100 thousand Spanish soldiers and sailors fought in the American Revolution-a world global war!

[@kenb3552]

Total BS. Spain didn't even have 100,000 soldiers and sailors.

[@ericcrawford3453]

🇺🇲 4th of july today & this was great for todays entertainment! Thank you.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@gordonlandreth9550]

Excellent step by step explanation of what led up to the War of Independence . All the major players are there that we have known about as children , at least the boomer generation , and some new names thrown in as well . Pictures of actual documents , quotes from people close to the situation make this a very informative and fascinating video . I hope that more of these show up to explain the conduct of the war and reveal how close we came to losing it . Thank you very much .

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and for your comments!

[@WhatsCookingTime]

We learned this as generation x as well. Especially coming from Massachusetts the Boston area I mean you couldn't not know about it but it was very intense and I'm glad it was but this is filling in some things I didn't learn about. It's a shame they haven't really talked the kids this in the last twenty years

[@sirusjohnsepar4248]

Wonderful 😂❤ thanks so much 🙏 💓 very informative best wishes sirus London

[@nickdial8528]

Thanks for putting together a well recent documentary on this. I was doing genealogy and found out I had grandfathers and cousins that fought in the Revolutionary war for the patriots, a lot of them in south carolina. I then got a hit saying I was related to George Washington, but I blew it off. I thought it was one of those spam emails to try to get people to join ancestry. When I got around to opening it, I found out it wasn't a Spam email, but it was a legitimate link and it was through marriage. It turns out Martha Washington is my fifth blood cousin, and then when I dug deeper, I found out John Adams was my third blood cousin and James Madison is my second blood cousin. My Grandfather was his Uncle. There's more, but from the looks of it, I can only imagine that ahigher status people in society back then must have really stuck together, for there to be common blood lines Like this? It's fascinating. Everyone should research their roots.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks, that's fascinating! Glad our work is helping people connect!

[@jimmcdonough5497]

Very good illustration.

[@artbilladello1073]

EXCELLENT summation !

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@AugustusMcCrae-e8h]

The tyranny of Washington D.C. is reminiscent of England.

[@WhatsCookingTime]

I noticed more and more or less who are actual real Americans who understand our history and noticing the same thing increasingly. Sad thing is the uninformed in this country don't see the connections. Being a Massachusetts person it's so sad that so many people allow the taxation

[@MrDellasc]

I’m more concerned about state governors like Paxton or the Supreme Court and crooked politicians.

[@chrismaurer2075]

@@MrDellasc I'm glad we finally have a majority in the Supreme Court that knows how the Constitution works . I agree with you about the crooked politicians but when we have a President like our current one that cares more about his bank accounts than our country the rest will follow.

[@MrDellasc]

@@chrismaurer2075 we can disagree regarding the court, since they’re too are crooked and bought (see their trips from billionaires and organizations). And regarding the current president, who’s far from ideal, but the former president is a conman who’s bilked millions from his own supporters. He’s a con man. I’m what you’d call a “Never Trumper”, who left the GOP about 10 years ago. I’m a John McCain and John Kasich supporter (especially Governor Kasich, we need more people like him in office). Take care.

[@gullybull5568]

​@@chrismaurer2075 TRUMP a communist zionist . pretend .

[@donm2067]

By far the best video ive seen on events leading up to the war of independence.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thank you!

[@sherrilee230]

My family fought in the revolutionary war major Peter halleck was one and have many more in my family right now we're going through the stages of 1775 what a terrific movie history repeats itself

[@Harry_At_NewMexico]

What a beautiful masterpiece 👍👍👍

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thank you, Harry; would you consider making a donation securely via PayPal to support the work of Witnessing History? www.witnessinghistory.org/donate/ Thanks for the consideration!

[@timetowaykup9342]

Videos of our history need to be shown in our schools. They aren't teaching the children this incredible history of this great country. Now they are teaching them to hate it. Things are getting bad now from within and I can see where many will stand up for this country again.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

You will be pleased to know that we here at Witnessing History segment our films for classroom use, and create free lesson plans for teachers. All is available worldwide on PBS Learning Media!!

[@kenb3552]

Where are they teaching kids to hate it? What exactly are they teaching and where???

[@snapmalloy5556]

Absolutely the best documentary I've watched concerning the events that lead to the glorious cause

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@thomascopley9591]

Point Pleasant is a beautiful town, I lived there for awhile and the history of the place is awesome

[@robertdavis6708]

The ways of England still live in the halls of Washington. Just look at your paychecks.

[@kenb3552]

Boo whooo. How do you think we pay for all the things that make our country the one place in the world so many people want to come to? Military, roads, bridges, police, fire, hospitals, transportation, clean air, water, safe food, safe places to work etc., etc. You think that just happens??? Go visit a country with very low taxes (that isn't oil rich) and see what life is like over there. Go sit in the corner, suck your thumb and cry yourself to sleep about your taxes.

[@DanielMoran-lf2xu]

This is one excellent documentary. What great detail.

[@witnessinghistoryeducation5885]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@dougmoore5252]

I think it may of been because they were coming to confiscate their weapons.

[@joearledge]

That specific incident, going to Concord to seize arms and ammo, is precisely why they put the 2nd amendment into the constitution.