The American Miracle

July 2, 2026 | S E | 126:56

The American Miracle explores pivotal moments in America’s founding, examining the people, events, and circumstances that shaped the nation and the role faith and providence may have played in its history.

#Movie #Nations #Patriot #Patriotic #Miracles #Praise #Truth #AmericanHistory #History #War #Military #Culture #Freedom #FreedomofSpeech #MattCrouch #LaurieCrouch #MichaelMedved

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| The American Miracle | July 2, 2026

...
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Male announcer: tonight on "praise,"
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American miracle creators, michael medved
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And tim mahoney, for a behind-the-scenes
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Conversation about the making of the film
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And the remarkable story of america's founding.
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Tim mahoney: i think that we need
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To know our history.
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We come from a nation that has had what we
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Would say providential or miraculous events.
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Announcer: discover why this nation is no accident.
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Then stay tuned for the tbn
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Premiere of "the american miracle."
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Matt crouch: july 3rd.
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Tomorrow's a big day for america.
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Two hundred and fifty years later,
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The american miracle is still being talked about.
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Michael medved, tim mahoney,
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Thank you for making the film, and we're gonna get
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To enjoy this.
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It's just starting in just a few minutes.
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Tim, you directed, produced.
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What do you want our audience to know about "the
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American miracle"?
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Tim: well, that god still works
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In miracles, and i've gotten to know michael
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Through a previous project called
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"patterns of evidence: the exodus," and michael
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And i talked about god acting in history.
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And a few years later, michael gave me a phone call
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And said, "hey, would you help me?
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I've got another story to tell."
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So michael, you wrote the book.
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Michael medved: yeah, i wrote a book.
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It was actually my 13th book, not bad luck.
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And the whole theme of the book
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Is america is no accident, that basically,
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If you go back to understand how
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This country became so singularly great,
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A blessed country, it doesn't make simply
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Logical sense.
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It's something more than that.
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There's a pattern.
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The subtitle of the movie is "america is no accident."
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Matt: tim, what do you want our audience
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To take away from this, besides the obvious,
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"it's a miracle"?
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Tim: i think that we need
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To know our history.
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We come from a nation that has had what we
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Would say providential or miraculous events,
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That when you--and most people don't know
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About them.
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In other words, they haven't been told.
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That's why this is such an important film
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For people to watch, and i'm excited to share it
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With them.
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I had no idea all the events
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That god has been involved in in our nation.
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And i think that the early
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Founding fathers saw a connection
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Between them and the early israelites,
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Didn't they?
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Michael: they did indeed.
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The first thing that they did
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After they approved the declaration
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Of independence of the continental congress
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In 1776 was they assigned the three
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Principal guys from the declaration
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Of independence, benjamin franklin,
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John adams, and thomas jefferson,
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To design a national seal.
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And my wife has written about this story.
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The national seal that they designed,
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Both adams and jefferson, evoked the exodus.
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It showed one hand with moses extending
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The staff to split the red sea.
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And they identified with going out from egypt
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With going out from great britain,
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And creating this new, they hoped, godly land,
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And a break in human history.
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Matt: i love that.
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Michael: the birth of america was
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The most significant event of the last
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Six hundred years.
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Matt: oh my god, i love it.
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Michael: and for anyone who doesn't believe
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That, okay, name me one that tops
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The creation of america.
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Matt: you know, it's so exciting because,
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You know, laurie and i just got back
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From washington, d.c. not long ago where there
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Was an entire rededication event devoted
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To america 250, under the freedom
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And america 250 events.
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And it feels like this 250th year
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Is getting the attention it deserves.
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Tonight, july 3rd, tomorrow being july 4th.
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Two hundred and fifty years later,
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We're still here.
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This amazing miracle, the american miracle.
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Thank you guys, both to tim and to michael,
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For what you've done.
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You've made a film, you've set the stage.
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It airs tonight on tbn.
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Enjoy "the american miracle," right here on tbn.
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[bells tolling]
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[choir singing]
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[crowd cheering]
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[cannon firing]
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Michael: it was the 4th of july 1826,
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The 50th anniversary of the signing
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Of the declaration of independence,
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The de facto 50th anniversary of the united
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States of america.
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Male: three.
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Crowd: four!
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John adams: five.
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Female: i am so proud of you. do you have the letter deed?
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John quincy adams: yes, dear.
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Male: six.
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Male: seven!
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Female: eight, grandpapa.
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Crowd: nine!
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Male: ten!
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Crowd: eleven!
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John adams: twelve.
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Male: thirteen.
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One for each of the thirteen colonies of the declaration.
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Fifty years ago, thomas.
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Fifty years.
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Michael: even now, after some two
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Centuries of turbulent history, recollections of that glorious
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Fourth can compel the most skeptical scholars
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To acknowledge weird, wonderful aspects
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In the rise of the republic, and to reconsider
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That once very popular idea that god shows
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Special tenderness toward the american experiment.
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[crowd cheering]
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Michael: at a time when male life expectancy
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Barely reached 40 years, john quincy's father,
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John adams, the atlas of independence
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And the second president of the united
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States, had already passed his 90th birthday,
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With his faculties and his health
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Remarkably intact.
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Male: do you know what day it is today, john?
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It's the 4th, the 4th of july.
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John adams: hm.
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That's great.
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It's a good day.
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Michael: five hundred miles to the south on the same day,
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Thomas jefferson stubbornly clung to life
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At monticello.
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Female: doctor, sir!
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Grandpapa's awake.
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Male: another draft of laudanum?
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It will ease your discomfort.
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Thomas jefferson: no, no more.
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Michael: thomas jefferson uttered
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No further comprehensible words, but he had
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Unequivocally achieved his ardent desire:
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Living through more than half of his cherished
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Nation's sacred day, finally expiring on tuesday,
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The 4th of july, at ten minutes
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Before 1 o'clock in the afternoon.
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John adams was clinging to the final
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Breaths of his life as well, on that very same day.
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He had no way of knowing that jefferson had died just
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Before 1 o'clock.
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Toward evening, with a gentle rain
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Falling, adams breathed his astonishing last words.
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John adams: [gasps]
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Thomas jefferson survives.
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[thunderclap]
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Michael: his breathing stopped shortly
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After 6 o'clock, with a resounding
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Clap of thunder at the very
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Moment of the great man's passing.
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Witnesses insisted that at that same instant,
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A sudden burst of light from the declining sun pushed
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Through the looming clouds and spilled into
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The upstairs room like a benediction.
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To this day, adams and jefferson remain
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The only two presidents to have expired
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On the same day, and of all days,
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It was the 4th of july.
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And not just an ordinary 4th of july,
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It was the 50th anniversary of the
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Nation's founding.
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Now, the chances against such a pattern
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Recurring stand at approximately
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50 million to 1.
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Paul kengor: so many of our countrymen,
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Including many of the founders, they said,
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"well, that's got to be the hand of god.
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That can't just be coincidence, you know,
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That's providence ."
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Daniel webster: john adams and thomas jefferson
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Are no more.
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The public mind had never been
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So powerfully affected by any similar event
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As by the death of john adams on the 4th of july 1826.
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Jane hampton cook: when you look back at the newspapers,
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There's just wall-to-wall coverage
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Of eulogies from all across the nation.
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Daniel: now, the news reached boston
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In the evening of that day.
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It acquired a singular interest from the year
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And the day on which it took place.
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Jane: daniel webster was
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One of the most gifted orators of the time.
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He was a congressman, and there were many
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Eulogies given, published in newspapers,
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But webster's stood out because it was just so eloquent.
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Daniel: patriotic emotions of the country
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At large were touched beyond all example.
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The occurrence was justly deemed without a parallel in history.
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On our 50th anniversary, the great day of national
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Jubilee, in the very hour of public rejoicing,
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In the midst of echoing and re-echoing
00:12:03.012 --> 00:12:05.381
Voices of thanksgiving, while their own names were
00:12:05.381 --> 00:12:08.851
On all tongues, they took their flight
00:12:08.851 --> 00:12:12.588
Together to the world of spirits.
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What a miraculous blessing, that on the day
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Which had fast linked forever their own fame
00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:25.835
With their country's glory, the heavens should open
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To receive them both at once.
00:12:30.573 --> 00:12:35.578
As their lives themselves were the gifts
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Of providence , who is not willing
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To recognize in their happy termination,
00:12:40.482 --> 00:12:42.785
As well as in their long continuance, proofs
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That our country and its benefactors
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Are objects of his care?
00:12:48.891 --> 00:12:52.761
It cannot be denied, but by those who would dispute
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Against the sun, that with america,
00:12:56.465 --> 00:12:59.835
And in america, a new era commences
00:12:59.835 --> 00:13:03.439
In human affairs.
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[audience applauding]
00:13:05.574 --> 00:13:14.283
Michael: it seems to me that the founders
00:13:14.283 --> 00:13:17.186
And their successors, who perceived
00:13:17.186 --> 00:13:20.890
A providential role in the nation that they shaped,
00:13:20.890 --> 00:13:24.326
Weren't ignorant simpletons with delusions of grandeur.
00:13:24.326 --> 00:13:28.063
In fact, all of the most significant leaders
00:13:28.063 --> 00:13:31.367
Of the united states, from john adams
00:13:31.367 --> 00:13:34.270
To abraham lincoln, george washington
00:13:34.270 --> 00:13:37.172
To woodrow wilson, theodore roosevelt to dr.
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Martin luther king jr., have spoken
00:13:39.475 --> 00:13:41.944
Movingly of godly favor on their country.
00:13:41.944 --> 00:13:46.181
There's no effort here to discern
00:13:46.181 --> 00:13:48.717
Or describe god's face, but rather an attempt
00:13:48.717 --> 00:13:53.188
To recognize a well-established
00:13:53.188 --> 00:13:56.058
National pattern over the course of many
00:13:56.058 --> 00:13:58.427
Generations, a pattern for which the influence
00:13:58.427 --> 00:14:02.798
Of some higher power remains the most
00:14:02.798 --> 00:14:06.502
Rational explanation.
00:14:06.502 --> 00:14:09.872
And right up to today, we retain the personal
00:14:09.872 --> 00:14:13.676
And communal choice of how to respond to haunting,
00:14:13.676 --> 00:14:19.581
Plentiful signs of god's continued collaboration
00:14:19.581 --> 00:14:24.453
In the american miracle.
00:14:24.453 --> 00:14:25.955
George washington is appropriately known
00:14:29.024 --> 00:14:31.360
As the father of our country,
00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:33.963
A man unanimously chosen to be our country's
00:14:33.963 --> 00:14:37.032
First president, and a man with
00:14:37.032 --> 00:14:39.368
Famously unparalleled leadership qualities.
00:14:39.368 --> 00:14:43.472
Joseph ellis: george washington was
00:14:43.472 --> 00:14:44.840
The singular figure in the american founding,
00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:48.143
The single most important person.
00:14:48.143 --> 00:14:52.247
All the prominent founders, franklin, adams, jefferson,
00:14:52.247 --> 00:15:01.824
Hamilton, madison, all were asked to comment
00:15:01.824 --> 00:15:06.895
On where they'd place him.
00:15:06.895 --> 00:15:09.598
And they all said the same thing:
00:15:09.598 --> 00:15:11.567
"above all of us."
00:15:11.567 --> 00:15:13.836
So he was regarded by his peers
00:15:13.836 --> 00:15:16.372
As primus inter pares, first among equals.
00:15:16.372 --> 00:15:24.513
Michael: young george had a loving relationship
00:15:28.550 --> 00:15:31.286
With his older half-brother lawrence,
00:15:31.286 --> 00:15:33.856
Someone he greatly admired.
00:15:33.856 --> 00:15:36.425
Mary thompson: george washington was somebody
00:15:36.425 --> 00:15:38.727
Who knew a lot about life.
00:15:38.727 --> 00:15:41.430
He grew up in a family where he had lost--he
00:15:41.430 --> 00:15:46.668
Lost his father when he was 11 years old.
00:15:46.668 --> 00:15:50.172
His favorite older brother, lawrence, they were very close.
00:15:50.172 --> 00:15:54.843
Lawrence washington: it was a good time.
00:15:54.843 --> 00:15:56.178
George washington: you should come visit more
00:15:56.178 --> 00:15:57.546
Time, brother.
00:15:57.546 --> 00:15:58.881
Lawrence: my schedule seems
00:15:58.881 --> 00:16:00.249
Open these days, so i sure will.
00:16:00.249 --> 00:16:01.583
You know, i don't have a lovely bride
00:16:01.583 --> 00:16:02.951
Pulling me down at the moment.
00:16:02.951 --> 00:16:04.286
Michael: when we look back at washington's life,
00:16:04.286 --> 00:16:05.654
We see a strange, inexplicable pattern
00:16:05.654 --> 00:16:09.091
Of cheating death time after time.
00:16:09.091 --> 00:16:12.828
This was widely viewed in his own day
00:16:12.828 --> 00:16:16.498
As a sign of divine protection.
00:16:16.498 --> 00:16:20.602
In the fall of 1751, lawrence's doctors
00:16:24.473 --> 00:16:28.277
Advised him to travel to barbados, in hopes
00:16:28.277 --> 00:16:32.648
That the climate there would ease his tuberculosis.
00:16:32.648 --> 00:16:36.652
Nineteen-year-old george accompanied him,
00:16:40.489 --> 00:16:43.459
And while there, had his first encounter
00:16:43.459 --> 00:16:47.096
With a deadly enemy.
00:16:47.096 --> 00:16:49.498
[man coughing]
00:16:49.498 --> 00:17:00.442
Male: open your mouth, let me see your tongue.
00:17:04.379 --> 00:17:08.984
Move them into quarantine immediately.
00:17:08.984 --> 00:17:11.220
He has the smallpox.
00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:17.226
Jane: smallpox was a deadly disease
00:17:21.063 --> 00:17:23.599
In this era.
00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:24.933
Paul: he probably should have died,
00:17:24.933 --> 00:17:26.635
And the brother ultimately did die from tuberculosis.
00:17:26.635 --> 00:17:29.838
Jane: the benefit of george
00:17:29.838 --> 00:17:31.440
Washington contracting smallpox when he's
00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:33.642
Only 19 years old is that he was immune to it.
00:17:33.642 --> 00:17:36.945
So when he becomes commander-in-chief of
00:17:36.945 --> 00:17:38.680
The continental army, he doesn't have to worry
00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:40.582
About getting sick from smallpox himself.
00:17:40.582 --> 00:17:50.692
George washington wasn't at the upper
00:17:54.463 --> 00:17:56.031
Echelon of society, and so he became a surveyor
00:17:56.031 --> 00:17:59.768
When he was 16 years old for one of the wealthiest
00:17:59.768 --> 00:18:02.104
Men, lord fairfax.
00:18:02.104 --> 00:18:05.440
George: a couple more paces to the right, mr.
00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:07.109
Abraham.
00:18:07.109 --> 00:18:09.011
Male: straighten out the chain, father.
00:18:12.881 --> 00:18:16.718
George: perfect.
00:18:16.718 --> 00:18:18.654
Jane: that experience put him
00:18:18.654 --> 00:18:20.455
Into a position, when he's in his early 20s,
00:18:20.455 --> 00:18:23.392
That the lieutenant governor of virginia
00:18:23.392 --> 00:18:25.294
Sends him on a mission to what's now
00:18:25.294 --> 00:18:28.564
Western pennsylvania.
00:18:28.564 --> 00:18:30.098
Robert dinwiddie: mr. washington,
00:18:30.098 --> 00:18:34.603
I need you to carry this letter
00:18:34.603 --> 00:18:36.505
To the french.
00:18:36.505 --> 00:18:37.873
George: yes, governor.
00:18:37.873 --> 00:18:39.208
Robert: they're trespassing.
00:18:39.208 --> 00:18:43.946
Jane: george washington was asked
00:18:47.716 --> 00:18:49.218
To deliver cease and desist letters
00:18:49.218 --> 00:18:51.386
Because the french were building forts
00:18:51.386 --> 00:18:53.388
On english territory.
00:18:53.388 --> 00:18:54.790
So this was a border dispute that he became front
00:18:54.790 --> 00:18:57.893
And center of.
00:18:57.893 --> 00:18:59.561
On their way back, they hired a native
00:19:03.432 --> 00:19:05.434
To guide them through the wilderness.
00:19:05.434 --> 00:19:08.804
♪♪♪
00:19:08.804 --> 00:19:31.593
Christopher gist: he's leading us the wrong way.
00:19:18.814 --> 00:19:35.197
He's leading us the wrong way.
00:19:35.197 --> 00:19:37.666
♪♪♪
00:19:37.666 --> 00:19:52.814
Christopher: no, no.
00:19:47.676 --> 00:19:57.552
Male: way.
00:19:57.552 --> 00:20:00.856
George: keep watch.
00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:07.562
Put your gun up to half-ready.
00:20:11.233 --> 00:20:15.504
♪♪♪
00:20:15.504 --> 00:20:32.821
[gunshot]
00:20:25.514 --> 00:20:34.523
[shouting]
00:20:37.826 --> 00:20:42.397
Jane: washington decided not to kill
00:20:42.397 --> 00:20:44.266
The guide, so they released him.
00:20:44.266 --> 00:20:46.835
But now he and mr. gist
00:20:46.835 --> 00:20:48.203
Would have to find a different
00:20:48.203 --> 00:20:51.039
Route back home, because the native
00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:53.775
Would likely return with more warriors to capture
00:20:53.775 --> 00:20:56.311
Or kill them.
00:20:56.311 --> 00:20:58.847
Michael: on the journey back to virginia,
00:21:02.718 --> 00:21:05.020
They needed to cross the dangerous
00:21:05.020 --> 00:21:06.855
And icy waters of the allegheny river.
00:21:06.855 --> 00:21:09.758
George: another log, mr. gist.
00:21:09.758 --> 00:21:12.160
Christopher: lay it down with the others.
00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:13.662
♪♪♪
00:21:13.662 --> 00:21:21.636
Christopher: string them tight.
00:21:21.636 --> 00:21:26.808
[both men shouting]
00:21:26.808 --> 00:21:32.748
George: watch the ice, mr. gist, watch it!
00:21:32.748 --> 00:21:34.850
[men shouting]
00:21:34.850 --> 00:21:39.087
[ice cracking]
00:21:39.087 --> 00:21:44.059
Michael: unable to make it to either shore,
00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:46.161
They spent a frigid night on a small island
00:21:46.161 --> 00:21:48.663
In the middle of the river.
00:21:48.663 --> 00:21:50.732
Christopher: are you getting warmer?
00:21:50.732 --> 00:21:54.636
George: my clothes are
00:21:54.636 --> 00:21:56.037
Completely frozen.
00:21:56.037 --> 00:21:58.840
Christopher: we can't make a fire.
00:21:58.840 --> 00:22:01.977
They'll find us.
00:22:01.977 --> 00:22:05.213
George: i can hold till morning.
00:22:05.213 --> 00:22:09.317
Until morning.
00:22:09.317 --> 00:22:10.819
Paul: the only way they could get
00:22:14.589 --> 00:22:15.924
Across the next day, i don't know how they
00:22:15.924 --> 00:22:17.292
Didn't die overnight, was that the water froze
00:22:17.292 --> 00:22:19.428
So they were able to walk across the water.
00:22:19.428 --> 00:22:21.596
And then somehow, after all of that, he
00:22:21.596 --> 00:22:23.865
Eventually makes it back to virginia.
00:22:23.865 --> 00:22:27.936
When his higher-ups in the military found
00:22:27.936 --> 00:22:30.272
Out about it, they said, "what?
00:22:30.272 --> 00:22:32.374
That's miraculous.
00:22:32.374 --> 00:22:33.742
That doesn't make any sense."
00:22:33.742 --> 00:22:36.745
Michael: washington wrote these and
00:22:36.745 --> 00:22:38.079
Other adventures down in his personal journal.
00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:42.150
When virginia lieutenant governor
00:22:42.150 --> 00:22:43.919
Robert dinwiddie heard the tales,
00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:46.488
He insisted that this first-person
00:22:46.488 --> 00:22:49.090
Account be published for the purpose of rousing
00:22:49.090 --> 00:22:52.761
Public support for the military missions
00:22:52.761 --> 00:22:55.664
Against the french.
00:22:55.664 --> 00:22:57.999
This publication brought washington
00:22:57.999 --> 00:23:00.235
His first taste of renown, beyond his immediate
00:23:00.235 --> 00:23:03.538
Circle of friends.
00:23:03.538 --> 00:23:05.340
His rise in fame led to his invitation
00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:08.643
For a second expedition in what became known
00:23:08.643 --> 00:23:12.247
In america as the french and indian war.
00:23:12.247 --> 00:23:17.586
Robert drez: in the case of the british,
00:23:17.586 --> 00:23:19.321
They're going to initially send
00:23:19.321 --> 00:23:20.889
Out an ambush party, strangely led
00:23:20.889 --> 00:23:24.826
By 22-year-old george washington.
00:23:24.826 --> 00:23:27.696
And that's going to be the embryo of what
00:23:27.696 --> 00:23:29.831
Will develop, in the next several
00:23:29.831 --> 00:23:31.766
Hundred years, into the great thing we know
00:23:31.766 --> 00:23:34.102
As the united states.
00:23:34.102 --> 00:23:35.504
Michael: george set out once again
00:23:39.307 --> 00:23:40.809
On behalf of his king in 1755, under british
00:23:40.809 --> 00:23:45.480
General edward braddock.
00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:47.415
Robert: general braddock is a decent general.
00:23:50.418 --> 00:23:52.454
He obviously knows some tactics and techniques,
00:23:52.454 --> 00:23:54.956
And he comes in with the fire of determination
00:23:54.956 --> 00:23:58.293
To win.
00:23:58.293 --> 00:24:00.028
♪♪♪
00:24:00.028 --> 00:24:21.483
Robert: he makes an unforgivable
00:24:10.038 --> 00:24:23.685
Mistake militarily.
00:24:23.685 --> 00:24:25.253
He gets himself caught into a position
00:24:25.253 --> 00:24:28.089
Where he is surrounded.
00:24:28.089 --> 00:24:29.925
♪♪♪
00:24:29.925 --> 00:24:49.978
[gunshots]
00:24:39.868 --> 00:24:54.482
♪♪♪
00:24:54.482 --> 00:25:04.492
Michael: at the battle of monongahela, braddock
00:25:04.492 --> 00:25:06.828
And the king's men were thoroughly routed.
00:25:06.828 --> 00:25:10.865
Mounted officers were shot first.
00:25:10.865 --> 00:25:14.536
Robert: braddock is shot.
00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:19.874
From then on, the british forces deteriorate.
00:25:19.874 --> 00:25:24.779
[gunshots]
00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:27.082
[men shouting]
00:25:27.082 --> 00:25:29.784
Michael: of the seventy mounted officers
00:25:29.784 --> 00:25:31.686
Who rode into battle that day, only one
00:25:31.686 --> 00:25:35.156
Emerged unscathed.
00:25:35.156 --> 00:25:37.692
Mary: we know from the native
00:25:37.692 --> 00:25:39.961
American descriptions of the battle that they
00:25:39.961 --> 00:25:42.631
Were aiming at him.
00:25:42.631 --> 00:25:43.999
They were telling them, "get that big guy on the horse."
00:25:43.999 --> 00:25:47.969
And they missed, every single time.
00:25:47.969 --> 00:25:50.338
Jane: so he was an obvious target,
00:25:53.508 --> 00:25:55.543
But he miraculously survived.
00:25:55.543 --> 00:25:58.213
Mary: there were four bullets
00:25:58.213 --> 00:25:59.714
Through his clothes.
00:25:59.714 --> 00:26:01.049
He lost two horses, they were shot out from
00:26:01.049 --> 00:26:03.785
Under him.
00:26:03.785 --> 00:26:05.754
Paul: he had his hat shot off
00:26:05.754 --> 00:26:08.156
And men died all around him.
00:26:08.156 --> 00:26:10.659
Mary: and yet he escaped
00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.993
Completely unscathed.
00:26:11.993 --> 00:26:13.361
Paul: a survivor of that battle said,
00:26:13.361 --> 00:26:15.797
"i expected every moment to see him," washington, "fall.
00:26:15.797 --> 00:26:20.335
Nothing but the superintending
00:26:20.335 --> 00:26:22.637
Care of providence could have saved him."
00:26:22.637 --> 00:26:26.041
[women crying]
00:26:27.175 --> 00:26:36.685
Jane: his name was on a killed
00:26:36.685 --> 00:26:38.053
In action list, and he immediately
00:26:38.053 --> 00:26:41.856
Wrote his mother and brother letters
00:26:41.856 --> 00:26:43.858
To explain to them what had happened on the battlefield.
00:26:43.858 --> 00:26:46.461
He said, "i take the opportunity of assuring
00:26:46.461 --> 00:26:48.530
You that i appear in the land of the living
00:26:48.530 --> 00:26:51.833
By the miraculous care of providence,
00:26:51.833 --> 00:26:54.502
Which protected me beyond all human expectation."
00:26:54.502 --> 00:26:58.740
Joseph: either god's on his side,
00:26:58.740 --> 00:27:00.742
Or he's the luckiest man alive.
00:27:00.742 --> 00:27:04.012
Michael: even the french-allied
00:27:07.782 --> 00:27:09.117
Natives noticed, and years later,
00:27:09.117 --> 00:27:11.720
At a council fire in the woods, they shared
00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:15.290
With washington what they had experienced.
00:27:15.290 --> 00:27:19.094
Jane: in 1770, george washington
00:27:19.094 --> 00:27:21.763
Took a group to look at lands that he had,
00:27:21.763 --> 00:27:24.466
That he owned.
00:27:24.466 --> 00:27:27.936
Male: a couple more paces to the right, william.
00:27:27.936 --> 00:27:31.206
Perfect.
00:27:31.206 --> 00:27:34.008
Jane: and it just so happened
00:27:34.008 --> 00:27:35.977
That one of the chiefs who had been
00:27:35.977 --> 00:27:38.713
Part of the battle that killed edward
00:27:38.713 --> 00:27:40.882
Braddock, that he heard about george washington being
00:27:40.882 --> 00:27:43.551
In the region, and he asked to see him.
00:27:43.551 --> 00:27:46.087
George: the majority of the land
00:27:49.791 --> 00:27:51.126
That we've been viewing--oh, thank you, william.
00:27:51.126 --> 00:27:56.131
I'm very sorry to say that i was hoping
00:27:56.131 --> 00:27:59.134
That the people would have a--
00:27:59.134 --> 00:28:00.835
Please, sit.
00:28:04.205 --> 00:28:08.810
Jane: when he came to george washington,
00:28:08.810 --> 00:28:10.979
He didn't want to eat or drink anything.
00:28:10.979 --> 00:28:12.647
He was very serious.
00:28:12.647 --> 00:28:14.015
He had something he really wanted to say.
00:28:14.015 --> 00:28:17.018
Male: i am chief of many tribes.
00:28:17.018 --> 00:28:22.390
It was on that day when the white man's
00:28:22.390 --> 00:28:24.692
Blood mixed with the streams of our forests,
00:28:24.692 --> 00:28:29.664
That is when i heard of this great
00:28:29.664 --> 00:28:31.599
White warrior.
00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:34.202
George: you were at monongahela.
00:28:34.202 --> 00:28:37.505
Male: i was there.
00:28:37.505 --> 00:28:41.176
I told my warriors, "let your aim be certain,
00:28:41.176 --> 00:28:45.914
Then he dies."
00:28:45.914 --> 00:28:49.851
The rifles were leveled, rifles which, but for you,
00:28:49.851 --> 00:28:55.757
Knew not how to miss.
00:28:55.757 --> 00:28:57.192
Twas all in vain.
00:29:00.662 --> 00:29:02.564
A power mightier far than we shielded you from harm.
00:29:02.564 --> 00:29:07.669
You cannot die in battle.
00:29:11.139 --> 00:29:13.341
There is something bids me speak
00:29:17.111 --> 00:29:20.481
In the voice of prophecy.
00:29:20.481 --> 00:29:23.084
Listen!
00:29:26.354 --> 00:29:29.157
A great spirit protects that man and his destinies.
00:29:29.157 --> 00:29:35.797
He will become chief of nations,
00:29:35.797 --> 00:29:39.834
And the people yet unborn will hail him
00:29:39.834 --> 00:29:43.571
As the founder of a mighty empire.
00:29:43.571 --> 00:29:46.908
♪♪♪
00:29:46.908 --> 00:29:56.017
Jane: this is five years before
00:29:56.017 --> 00:29:57.552
The first shots of the american revolution ring out,
00:29:57.552 --> 00:30:00.655
And you can see how that prophecy came true.
00:30:00.655 --> 00:30:04.559
Jana novak: it's an amazing story, apocryphal
00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:06.561
If you will, true, that he was clearly
00:30:06.561 --> 00:30:10.231
A protected figure.
00:30:10.231 --> 00:30:12.066
Mary: washington felt that way too.
00:30:12.066 --> 00:30:13.468
It was the only explanation he
00:30:13.468 --> 00:30:15.036
Could think of as to why he was still alive.
00:30:15.036 --> 00:30:19.574
And throughout his life, there's one instance
00:30:19.574 --> 00:30:21.843
After another of that kind of thing happening.
00:30:21.843 --> 00:30:24.612
Michael: the root cause of the american
00:30:25.124 --> 00:30:26.759
Revolution was that the americans
00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:29.195
Were denied representation in the english parliament.
00:30:29.195 --> 00:30:33.533
Between 1761 and 1775, parliament passed
00:30:33.533 --> 00:30:39.205
Nearly 30 laws that restricted
00:30:39.205 --> 00:30:42.208
The american economy, governance, and
00:30:42.208 --> 00:30:45.077
Social structure.
00:30:45.077 --> 00:30:46.579
At the outset, americans simply wanted
00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:49.115
To be treated equally as british citizens
00:30:49.115 --> 00:30:51.817
Under the unwritten british constitution,
00:30:51.817 --> 00:30:56.055
But the continuing unjust treatment
00:30:56.055 --> 00:30:58.224
Of the americans soon came to a head around
00:30:58.224 --> 00:31:00.960
The city of boston.
00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:03.362
Many americans, regardless of their color
00:31:03.362 --> 00:31:05.798
Or their origins, longed for freedom.
00:31:05.798 --> 00:31:10.803
Jane: peter salem was a slave living
00:31:10.803 --> 00:31:13.205
In framingham, massachusetts.
00:31:13.205 --> 00:31:15.241
He was sold in 1774, and then his new
00:31:15.241 --> 00:31:18.644
Master gives him a musket.
00:31:18.644 --> 00:31:20.846
Slaves were not allowed legally to carry muskets,
00:31:20.846 --> 00:31:24.183
But his new owner encouraged him
00:31:24.183 --> 00:31:26.118
To be part of the minutemen,
00:31:26.118 --> 00:31:27.787
To be ready at a minute's notice.
00:31:27.787 --> 00:31:32.091
Peter salem: i loved marching in rhythm, being a soldier.
00:31:32.091 --> 00:31:34.860
♪♪♪
00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:41.601
Peter: soon, i slept with my musket.
00:31:41.601 --> 00:31:46.005
Jane: and that minute's notice came
00:31:46.005 --> 00:31:48.674
In april of 1775 with the battles of lexington
00:31:48.674 --> 00:31:52.244
And concord.
00:31:52.244 --> 00:31:54.981
Peter: the signal came at midnight.
00:31:54.981 --> 00:31:58.384
I grabbed my musket, put on my shoes,
00:31:58.384 --> 00:32:02.121
And ran 12 miles to concord,
00:32:02.121 --> 00:32:04.790
Where i first encountered the british
00:32:04.790 --> 00:32:07.193
In battle.
00:32:07.193 --> 00:32:08.794
It was on my own accord, as a free man, that
00:32:12.698 --> 00:32:17.203
I enlisted in colonel john
00:32:17.203 --> 00:32:19.505
Nixon's regiment.
00:32:19.505 --> 00:32:20.906
We arrived to fight the british at breed's hill,
00:32:24.410 --> 00:32:28.614
June 1775, in what they now
00:32:28.614 --> 00:32:31.884
Call the battle of bunker hill.
00:32:31.884 --> 00:32:37.289
About two thousand british soldiers landed
00:32:37.289 --> 00:32:41.627
On charleston peninsula, june 17th.
00:32:41.627 --> 00:32:45.297
♪♪♪
00:32:45.297 --> 00:32:53.539
Peter: because there was so little gunpowder,
00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:56.976
We were told not to fire at them
00:32:56.976 --> 00:32:59.345
Until we see the white of their eyes.
00:32:59.345 --> 00:33:00.913
As the british reached our redoubt,
00:33:04.116 --> 00:33:07.787
One of their officers yelled out, "the day is ours!"
00:33:07.787 --> 00:33:13.959
Then i fired with a volley that struck this officer.
00:33:13.959 --> 00:33:17.997
[gunshot]
00:33:17.997 --> 00:33:19.331
Male: brother!
00:33:19.331 --> 00:33:20.700
Peter: i learned after the battle
00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:22.034
That the man's name was major pitcairn,
00:33:22.034 --> 00:33:24.770
The british officer responsible for firing
00:33:24.770 --> 00:33:27.406
The first shots in the war in the battle of lexington.
00:33:27.406 --> 00:33:32.178
Joseph: there's like 128 or 138,
00:33:32.178 --> 00:33:34.580
Or whatever it is, african americans
00:33:34.580 --> 00:33:36.382
Actually fighting alongside regulars,
00:33:36.382 --> 00:33:40.219
Not just in separate units, in the army.
00:33:40.219 --> 00:33:42.555
The next time that's gonna happen is 1951,
00:33:42.555 --> 00:33:45.825
In the korean war.
00:33:45.825 --> 00:33:48.027
Peter: we lost that battle
00:33:48.027 --> 00:33:49.361
Because the british took the hill.
00:33:49.361 --> 00:33:51.630
But they lost more men.
00:33:51.630 --> 00:33:54.233
Jane: and then when the men realized
00:33:54.233 --> 00:33:55.935
That it was peter salem--
00:33:55.935 --> 00:33:57.636
Male: general.
00:33:57.636 --> 00:33:59.004
Jane: he was a folk hero at that point.
00:33:59.004 --> 00:34:00.806
Male: this is peter salem, the man responsible
00:34:00.806 --> 00:34:04.310
For bringing down pitcairn at bunker hill.
00:34:04.310 --> 00:34:09.615
Peter: after that, george
00:34:09.615 --> 00:34:11.517
Washington convinced congress that black
00:34:11.517 --> 00:34:15.087
Soldiers could fight in the army.
00:34:15.087 --> 00:34:19.525
Jane: george washington realized,
00:34:19.525 --> 00:34:21.293
"we need to have every man that we can in this army,
00:34:21.293 --> 00:34:24.563
Regardless of their skin color," and he
00:34:24.563 --> 00:34:26.265
Defied the southern politicians in south
00:34:26.265 --> 00:34:29.168
Carolina and georgia, and he allowed black men
00:34:29.168 --> 00:34:31.403
To serve in the army.
00:34:31.403 --> 00:34:34.306
Michael: another notable black american
00:34:34.306 --> 00:34:36.175
In the revolution was washington's valet,
00:34:36.175 --> 00:34:39.779
William lee.
00:34:39.779 --> 00:34:41.147
William lee: general, he had them boys on the run.
00:34:41.147 --> 00:34:43.582
I do believe you'd call it a fox hunt.
00:34:43.582 --> 00:34:45.718
Jane: george washington had
00:34:45.718 --> 00:34:47.086
A close relationship with his valet, william lee.
00:34:47.086 --> 00:34:51.891
When he was a young boy and young man,
00:34:51.891 --> 00:34:54.126
He was referred to as billy, and then when he became of age,
00:34:54.126 --> 00:34:57.997
George washington insisted on calling him william.
00:34:57.997 --> 00:35:01.033
And so there was a warm relationship.
00:35:01.033 --> 00:35:04.236
Joseph: billy walks out the door with him
00:35:04.236 --> 00:35:06.272
In 1775, just after lexington and concord,
00:35:06.272 --> 00:35:10.643
And when they do that, when washington
00:35:10.643 --> 00:35:13.045
Knows he's liable to lose everything,
00:35:13.045 --> 00:35:15.147
Billy's with him then.
00:35:15.147 --> 00:35:18.017
And billy's with him throughout every battle
00:35:18.017 --> 00:35:20.553
In every war.
00:35:20.553 --> 00:35:22.755
Michael: in washington's will, he declared
00:35:22.755 --> 00:35:25.758
That lee was to be freed and given a pension for life.
00:35:25.758 --> 00:35:33.165
Joseph: there's this group of people,
00:35:33.165 --> 00:35:34.900
Historians, who basically say
00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:36.569
The american revolution was a war to protect slavery.
00:35:36.569 --> 00:35:42.474
These people are anti-american people.
00:35:42.474 --> 00:35:44.577
The war was not a war to protect slavery,
00:35:44.577 --> 00:35:46.412
It was a war fought on principles opposed
00:35:46.412 --> 00:35:48.280
To slavery.
00:35:48.280 --> 00:35:50.015
Akhil reed amar: notable blacks fought early
00:35:50.015 --> 00:35:53.118
In the american revolution and throughout
00:35:53.118 --> 00:35:56.522
The american revolution.
00:35:56.522 --> 00:35:58.757
Eyewitness accounts of newspapers
00:35:58.757 --> 00:36:00.860
Across the continent had reported that blacks
00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:03.195
Had participated in the battles of lexington
00:36:03.195 --> 00:36:05.931
And concord and bunker's hill.
00:36:05.931 --> 00:36:07.733
Joseph: most american studies programs
00:36:07.733 --> 00:36:09.201
In some of the best universities and colleges
00:36:09.201 --> 00:36:11.203
Are anti-american studies programs.
00:36:11.203 --> 00:36:13.873
Obviously i'm on the other side of that.
00:36:13.873 --> 00:36:15.808
Akhil: by the end of 1776, free blacks
00:36:15.808 --> 00:36:20.246
And soon-to-be-freed blacks constituted
00:36:20.246 --> 00:36:24.250
Roughly a tenth of the continental army.
00:36:24.250 --> 00:36:27.486
Michael: john adams was a key member of the first
00:36:30.689 --> 00:36:32.858
Continental congress.
00:36:32.858 --> 00:36:34.326
He would become the second
00:36:34.326 --> 00:36:35.694
President of the united states and later die
00:36:35.694 --> 00:36:38.898
On its 50th anniversary.
00:36:38.898 --> 00:36:41.667
His wife abigail was his closest adviser
00:36:41.667 --> 00:36:44.870
And shared her ideas with him
00:36:44.870 --> 00:36:46.472
In a stream of letters while he was away at congress.
00:36:46.472 --> 00:36:51.877
John and abigail exchanged over 1,100 letters
00:36:51.877 --> 00:36:55.915
Over their lifetime, including their personal
00:36:55.915 --> 00:36:58.284
Insights on politics, family, and life.
00:36:58.284 --> 00:37:01.854
Their correspondence shows that her revolutionary
00:37:01.854 --> 00:37:05.124
Ideas shaped john's own thoughts,
00:37:05.124 --> 00:37:07.459
Including her belief that all people,
00:37:07.459 --> 00:37:09.828
Regardless of color or gender, should share equal rights
00:37:09.828 --> 00:37:14.266
In the new american democracy.
00:37:14.266 --> 00:37:17.403
Jane: abigail adams really had
00:37:17.403 --> 00:37:19.238
This understanding that freedom was for everyone.
00:37:19.238 --> 00:37:22.741
Abigail adams: it's good to be face to face again.
00:37:22.741 --> 00:37:24.843
John adams: it is so good to be home, abigail.
00:37:24.843 --> 00:37:27.279
Jane: here she was, a mother
00:37:27.279 --> 00:37:28.614
With young children.
00:37:28.614 --> 00:37:29.982
She's having to worry about soldiers
00:37:29.982 --> 00:37:31.850
In her backyard traipsing through.
00:37:31.850 --> 00:37:33.953
But she really stood out in her ability to think
00:37:33.953 --> 00:37:38.390
Through the issues of the day, and
00:37:38.390 --> 00:37:40.125
To give counsel and advice to her husband,
00:37:40.125 --> 00:37:42.928
John adams.
00:37:42.928 --> 00:37:44.396
Paul: she was just such a brilliant,
00:37:44.396 --> 00:37:45.931
Brave woman.
00:37:45.931 --> 00:37:47.266
I think of all the founders,
00:37:47.266 --> 00:37:48.767
And i consider abigail adams to be one of them.
00:37:48.767 --> 00:37:52.972
Michael: george washington and his continental
00:37:52.972 --> 00:37:55.207
Army experienced so many episodes of danger
00:37:55.207 --> 00:37:59.645
And disaster during the eight
00:37:59.645 --> 00:38:01.313
Years of the revolutionary war that it's difficult
00:38:01.313 --> 00:38:04.516
To select a single darkest moment.
00:38:04.516 --> 00:38:08.287
But as contemporaries on both sides of the conflict
00:38:08.287 --> 00:38:11.323
Suggested, the continental army benefited
00:38:11.323 --> 00:38:14.393
From a series of unusual natural phenomena
00:38:14.393 --> 00:38:18.797
And a pattern of illogical but consistent good luck
00:38:18.797 --> 00:38:23.836
That, in the painful and eventful year of 1776,
00:38:23.836 --> 00:38:28.774
Rescued the troops from all but
00:38:28.774 --> 00:38:32.011
Certain catastrophe.
00:38:32.011 --> 00:38:33.746
The hastily-assembled new england militias
00:38:37.683 --> 00:38:40.386
Were able to drive the redcoats back
00:38:40.386 --> 00:38:43.422
Into the city of boston.
00:38:43.422 --> 00:38:47.593
Stalemate ensued for months,
00:38:47.593 --> 00:38:50.229
With disorganized colonial volunteers sleeping
00:38:50.229 --> 00:38:54.333
Around their campfires on the outskirts
00:38:54.333 --> 00:38:56.468
Of the town, and the british forces
00:38:56.468 --> 00:38:59.038
Trapped inside the city.
00:38:59.038 --> 00:39:01.974
On the morning of march 2nd, 1776, washington
00:39:05.911 --> 00:39:10.282
Saw an opportunity to deploy some new
00:39:10.282 --> 00:39:13.919
Artillery that had been seized from
00:39:13.919 --> 00:39:16.221
The british in a daring raid on fort ticonderoga.
00:39:16.221 --> 00:39:22.261
Joseph: to me, the interesting story
00:39:22.261 --> 00:39:24.463
About dorchester heights is how he gets the cannon.
00:39:24.463 --> 00:39:28.734
Henry knox, with a bunch of others
00:39:32.538 --> 00:39:35.541
And some cattle, dragged these huge weapons
00:39:35.541 --> 00:39:40.212
Across the snow from upstate new york.
00:39:40.212 --> 00:39:45.484
George: tell knox to place his cannon there.
00:39:45.484 --> 00:39:46.985
I will want two redoubts in the center,
00:39:46.985 --> 00:39:49.521
With smaller defenses made of machines
00:39:49.521 --> 00:39:52.157
And gabions to either flank.
00:39:52.157 --> 00:39:56.462
Within two weeks' time, we shall give quite
00:39:56.462 --> 00:39:58.063
A surprise to the british.
00:39:58.063 --> 00:40:00.199
Male: there will be a full moon, sir.
00:40:00.199 --> 00:40:03.068
I'm afraid that we'll be seen.
00:40:03.068 --> 00:40:07.372
George: if i shall be able
00:40:07.372 --> 00:40:08.707
To rise superior to these, i shall
00:40:08.707 --> 00:40:11.076
Most religiously believe the finger
00:40:11.076 --> 00:40:15.447
Of providence is in it to blind
00:40:15.447 --> 00:40:18.083
The eyes of our enemies.
00:40:18.083 --> 00:40:19.418
♪♪♪
00:40:19.418 --> 00:40:28.660
Michael: washington's trust seemed to be answered
00:40:28.660 --> 00:40:30.762
When a thick fog moved in to completely shroud
00:40:30.762 --> 00:40:33.665
The continental forces.
00:40:33.665 --> 00:40:35.734
They moved 20 cannon and 2,000 men into positions
00:40:35.734 --> 00:40:39.071
Throughout the night, right over
00:40:39.071 --> 00:40:40.806
The heads of the unsuspecting british.
00:40:40.806 --> 00:40:43.408
Joseph: it's to washington's credit
00:40:43.408 --> 00:40:45.310
That he recognizes the tactical advantages
00:40:45.310 --> 00:40:47.613
This provides, and that this will
00:40:47.613 --> 00:40:49.748
End this what apparently is endless
00:40:49.748 --> 00:40:52.117
Game of just staring at each other across
00:40:52.117 --> 00:40:54.686
The abyss in the boston siege.
00:40:54.686 --> 00:40:59.525
Michael: the next morning, his majesty's troops awoke
00:40:59.525 --> 00:41:02.528
And looked up in horror to see formidable,
00:41:02.528 --> 00:41:06.198
Newly-constructed rebel fortifications glaring
00:41:06.198 --> 00:41:09.401
Down at them.
00:41:09.401 --> 00:41:12.070
William howe: washington!
00:41:12.070 --> 00:41:13.438
Out of my way!
00:41:16.642 --> 00:41:19.545
Michael: it didn't take long for the british commander,
00:41:19.545 --> 00:41:22.681
General william howe, to assess his options:
00:41:22.681 --> 00:41:26.919
Either drive the rebels off that hill, or desert boston.
00:41:26.919 --> 00:41:33.258
William howe: gentlemen, we attack tonight.
00:41:33.258 --> 00:41:37.095
You, take the hill.
00:41:37.095 --> 00:41:39.097
Male: yes, lord howe.
00:41:39.097 --> 00:41:40.699
William howe: you, hold the flag.
00:41:40.699 --> 00:41:43.335
Male: all right, general.
00:41:43.335 --> 00:41:45.737
Michael: he quickly decided to choose the course of honor.
00:41:45.737 --> 00:41:49.975
He would attack.
00:41:49.975 --> 00:41:51.476
He decided to send his 9,000 troops out
00:41:51.476 --> 00:41:54.880
In an overwhelming nighttime surprise assault.
00:41:54.880 --> 00:41:59.952
But as evening approached, the weather changed
00:41:59.952 --> 00:42:03.655
Dramatically, and in the eyes of
00:42:03.655 --> 00:42:06.892
Many, miraculously.
00:42:06.892 --> 00:42:10.629
[storm rages]
00:42:10.629 --> 00:42:34.286
William howe: blizzard.
00:42:20.639 --> 00:42:37.923
[glass smashes]
00:42:37.990 --> 00:42:40.993
Male: general, are you all right?
00:42:44.062 --> 00:42:46.865
William howe: no, i'm not all right!
00:42:46.865 --> 00:42:49.101
Male: are you cut?
00:42:49.101 --> 00:42:50.969
William howe: how can we move in this?
00:42:50.969 --> 00:42:53.338
Don't answer me! we can't!
00:42:53.338 --> 00:42:55.707
♪♪♪
00:42:55.707 --> 00:43:03.982
Michael: the ferocious storm of early
00:43:03.982 --> 00:43:06.385
March prevented the british from attacking
00:43:06.385 --> 00:43:09.588
Washington's artillery on the hills of dorchester
00:43:09.588 --> 00:43:12.791
Heights above boston.
00:43:12.791 --> 00:43:17.162
The delay afforded the americans time
00:43:17.162 --> 00:43:20.032
To fortify their position even more.
00:43:20.032 --> 00:43:22.501
♪♪♪
00:43:22.501 --> 00:43:37.549
Michael: the next morning, general howe was hesitant,
00:43:32.444 --> 00:43:40.419
After the embarrassment of bunker hill,
00:43:40.419 --> 00:43:42.654
To once again march up a hill to an enemy
00:43:42.654 --> 00:43:46.124
Who was firmly dug in and occupying high ground.
00:43:46.124 --> 00:43:55.334
William howe: take this to general washington.
00:43:59.271 --> 00:44:03.308
Male: at once.
00:44:03.308 --> 00:44:04.643
♪♪♪
00:44:04.643 --> 00:44:12.984
Michael: so, under the white flag of truce,
00:44:12.984 --> 00:44:16.088
Howe sent an offer to washington.
00:44:16.088 --> 00:44:18.357
♪♪♪
00:44:18.357 --> 00:44:27.766
Male: mr. washington?
00:44:27.766 --> 00:44:29.401
Male: general washington.
00:44:29.401 --> 00:44:32.871
Male: a message from general howe.
00:44:32.871 --> 00:44:34.973
George: thank you.
00:44:34.973 --> 00:44:36.308
You'll kindly await my reply.
00:44:36.308 --> 00:44:37.743
Michael: if the colonials allowed his majesty's forces
00:44:41.613 --> 00:44:45.050
To depart from the city without firing on them
00:44:45.050 --> 00:44:48.553
Or impeding their departure,
00:44:48.553 --> 00:44:50.989
They would leave boston without burning the town
00:44:50.989 --> 00:44:54.426
To the ground.
00:44:54.426 --> 00:44:55.894
This surprising good fortune was not lost
00:44:55.894 --> 00:44:59.865
On abigail adams, john adams's wife.
00:44:59.865 --> 00:45:04.302
Abigail: the more i think of it,
00:45:04.302 --> 00:45:06.171
The more amazed i am that they should leave
00:45:06.171 --> 00:45:09.641
Such safe harbor, such entrenchments,
00:45:09.641 --> 00:45:14.546
And that we should be in peaceable
00:45:14.546 --> 00:45:16.581
Possession of a town which we expected
00:45:16.581 --> 00:45:20.018
Would cost us a river of blood.
00:45:20.018 --> 00:45:22.053
♪♪♪
00:45:22.053 --> 00:45:34.599
Joseph: the british have no tactical alternative
00:45:31.997 --> 00:45:38.036
But to retreat.
00:45:38.036 --> 00:45:39.905
Howe recognizes that.
00:45:39.905 --> 00:45:41.473
Otherwise, his troops just sit under
00:45:41.473 --> 00:45:43.074
A siege bombardment until they're decimated.
00:45:43.074 --> 00:45:47.279
The ships leave.
00:45:47.279 --> 00:45:49.815
Abigail says it looked like a forest moving.
00:45:49.815 --> 00:45:52.651
Jane: george washington could not concoct
00:45:56.521 --> 00:45:57.889
A storm to prevent the british
00:45:57.889 --> 00:46:00.292
From getting over and doing
00:46:00.292 --> 00:46:02.127
A landing of their men and going up the hill.
00:46:02.127 --> 00:46:04.763
But when he saw something like that happen,
00:46:04.763 --> 00:46:07.265
He credited providence.
00:46:07.265 --> 00:46:10.235
Robert p. george: washington is another figure
00:46:10.235 --> 00:46:12.070
From our founding generation who skeptics say
00:46:12.070 --> 00:46:15.474
Was not really a believer, or was at most a deist,
00:46:15.474 --> 00:46:19.411
Or at best a deist.
00:46:19.411 --> 00:46:21.246
The record doesn't support that.
00:46:21.246 --> 00:46:24.749
Washington called upon god.
00:46:24.749 --> 00:46:26.785
He attributed developments, including in battles,
00:46:26.785 --> 00:46:30.355
To divine intervention, to divine providence.
00:46:30.355 --> 00:46:33.158
He was certainly a man who believed
00:46:33.158 --> 00:46:36.461
In the importance of god and in god's role
00:46:36.461 --> 00:46:39.064
In human affairs, and in the importance of us
00:46:39.064 --> 00:46:41.800
Trying to do god's will.
00:46:41.800 --> 00:46:44.970
Michael: in march 1776, copies of the london
00:46:44.970 --> 00:46:49.508
Newspapers reached america with word of king
00:46:49.508 --> 00:46:52.544
George's address to parliament, revealing that he
00:46:52.544 --> 00:46:56.481
Would not force parliament to retract the odious laws
00:46:56.481 --> 00:47:00.785
That had led to open warfare.
00:47:00.785 --> 00:47:03.522
American minds turned to other solutions for liberty,
00:47:03.522 --> 00:47:07.492
Independence, and the formation
00:47:07.492 --> 00:47:10.462
Of a self-governing nation.
00:47:10.462 --> 00:47:13.331
John adams was heading to philadelphia.
00:47:13.331 --> 00:47:17.235
John adams: it is almost as if i am not needed here.
00:47:17.235 --> 00:47:23.909
Abigail: you are needed here
00:47:23.909 --> 00:47:25.310
And elsewhere, john.
00:47:25.310 --> 00:47:27.212
It's been a labor of love the children and i have taken
00:47:27.212 --> 00:47:30.749
To well enough, i suppose.
00:47:30.749 --> 00:47:33.752
John adams: my dear portia, i endeavor to remain
00:47:33.752 --> 00:47:37.322
In your good graces.
00:47:37.322 --> 00:47:40.225
Abigail: john, i think you know
00:47:40.225 --> 00:47:41.693
That to remain in my good graces,
00:47:41.693 --> 00:47:44.329
You would remember the ladies.
00:47:44.329 --> 00:47:47.332
As it will become necessary for you to write
00:47:47.332 --> 00:47:49.501
A new code of laws, please, be more generous
00:47:49.501 --> 00:47:55.273
And favorable to us than your ancestors.
00:47:55.273 --> 00:47:58.877
Do not put such unlimited power
00:47:58.877 --> 00:48:00.979
Into the hands of husbands.
00:48:00.979 --> 00:48:03.481
Remember that all men would be tyrants if they could.
00:48:03.481 --> 00:48:08.253
John adams: i shall do my best.
00:48:08.253 --> 00:48:10.488
Abigail: i know that you will.
00:48:10.488 --> 00:48:12.457
Stephen meyer: all the great pagan empires
00:48:16.394 --> 00:48:17.762
Were characterized by abject cruelty and tyranny.
00:48:17.762 --> 00:48:21.232
And you had this pattern in human history
00:48:21.232 --> 00:48:23.435
Where the king would subjugate his subjects.
00:48:23.435 --> 00:48:27.339
And if people were abused by a king, by a ruler,
00:48:27.339 --> 00:48:30.675
They really had no recourse.
00:48:30.675 --> 00:48:32.877
And so you get this idea emerging
00:48:32.877 --> 00:48:35.213
In the christian west, in the late medieval
00:48:35.213 --> 00:48:37.582
Period, even the king is under the law of god,
00:48:37.582 --> 00:48:39.851
And therefore the king is accountable to god
00:48:39.851 --> 00:48:42.420
And to a higher moral law, which they call
00:48:42.420 --> 00:48:44.322
The natural law, for his actions
00:48:44.322 --> 00:48:47.325
And how he treats his subjects.
00:48:47.325 --> 00:48:48.927
John neilson: the unanimous declaration of the 13 united
00:48:52.597 --> 00:48:55.800
States of america, an equal station
00:48:55.800 --> 00:48:58.403
To which the laws of nature and of nature's
00:48:58.403 --> 00:49:01.272
God entitled them, for one people
00:49:01.272 --> 00:49:04.009
To dissolve the political bands which have
00:49:04.009 --> 00:49:05.877
Connected them with another, and
00:49:05.877 --> 00:49:08.279
To assume among them the powers of the earth,
00:49:08.279 --> 00:49:11.783
A separate and equal station to which the laws of nature
00:49:11.783 --> 00:49:16.221
And nature's god entitled them.
00:49:16.221 --> 00:49:18.923
Female: who is that man?
00:49:18.923 --> 00:49:21.292
Male: colonel neilson, i believe.
00:49:21.292 --> 00:49:24.729
Nick bunker: from the british point of view,
00:49:24.729 --> 00:49:26.097
The declaration of independence
00:49:26.097 --> 00:49:27.465
In july 1776 was a very unwelcome
00:49:27.465 --> 00:49:30.402
And very alarming development for one
00:49:30.402 --> 00:49:32.804
Very clear reason, which was that it meant
00:49:32.804 --> 00:49:34.639
That from that point forward, america could start
00:49:34.639 --> 00:49:37.542
To get support from the continental powers,
00:49:37.542 --> 00:49:39.911
And particularly france, of course.
00:49:39.911 --> 00:49:41.980
John neilson: we hold these truths
00:49:41.980 --> 00:49:43.515
To be self-evident, that all men are
00:49:43.515 --> 00:49:46.351
Created equal, that they are endowed
00:49:46.351 --> 00:49:50.689
By their creator with certain unalienable
00:49:50.689 --> 00:49:53.958
Rights, that among these are life,
00:49:53.958 --> 00:49:57.829
Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
00:49:57.829 --> 00:50:01.433
Paul: they believed that liberty was a gift
00:50:01.433 --> 00:50:03.735
From god.
00:50:03.735 --> 00:50:05.103
So there's an implicit understanding there,
00:50:05.103 --> 00:50:06.604
Affirmation, that human beings are made
00:50:06.604 --> 00:50:08.707
In the imago dei, in the image of god,
00:50:08.707 --> 00:50:10.542
And god intends for us to be free.
00:50:10.542 --> 00:50:13.044
Stephen: jefferson writes, "we hold
00:50:13.044 --> 00:50:14.646
These truths to be self-evident, that all men
00:50:14.646 --> 00:50:16.648
Are created equal and endowed
00:50:16.648 --> 00:50:18.650
By their creator with certain
00:50:18.650 --> 00:50:20.552
Inalienable rights."
00:50:20.552 --> 00:50:21.986
Notice he doesn't say that rights are granted
00:50:21.986 --> 00:50:23.755
By government.
00:50:23.755 --> 00:50:25.223
The job of government is to protect those rights,
00:50:25.223 --> 00:50:27.959
It's not to grant them.
00:50:27.959 --> 00:50:29.294
The rights are granted by god at birth.
00:50:29.294 --> 00:50:32.163
John neilson: that to secure these rights,
00:50:32.163 --> 00:50:34.766
Governments are implemented among men,
00:50:34.766 --> 00:50:37.168
Deriving their just powers from the consent
00:50:37.168 --> 00:50:41.406
Of the governed.
00:50:41.406 --> 00:50:43.475
That whenever any form of government
00:50:43.475 --> 00:50:45.610
Should become destructive of these ends,
00:50:45.610 --> 00:50:48.146
It is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it,
00:50:48.146 --> 00:50:53.485
And to institute new government.
00:50:53.485 --> 00:50:56.488
Joseph: i would say that the american
00:50:56.488 --> 00:50:58.123
Experiment represents an attempt to implement
00:50:58.123 --> 00:51:01.259
The core values of the enlightenment
00:51:01.259 --> 00:51:03.862
In a real society.
00:51:03.862 --> 00:51:05.530
It's an attempt to find out whether these values
00:51:05.530 --> 00:51:10.168
That are so elevated and so attractive
00:51:10.168 --> 00:51:13.538
Are compatible with political reality.
00:51:13.538 --> 00:51:16.307
George: we therefore, the representatives
00:51:16.307 --> 00:51:18.443
Of the united states of america,
00:51:18.443 --> 00:51:22.747
In general congress assembled, appealing to the supreme
00:51:22.747 --> 00:51:25.383
Judge of the world for that rectitude
00:51:25.383 --> 00:51:27.886
Of our intention, do--
00:51:27.886 --> 00:51:29.587
Robert: the founders themselves believed
00:51:29.587 --> 00:51:31.422
That every human being has rights, basic rights,
00:51:31.422 --> 00:51:34.826
Simply in virtue of their humanity.
00:51:34.826 --> 00:51:37.028
Now, where did they get that idea?
00:51:37.028 --> 00:51:39.931
Not hard to guess.
00:51:39.931 --> 00:51:41.499
It's not just from plato and aristotle and cicero
00:51:41.499 --> 00:51:44.235
And the great roman and greek thinkers.
00:51:44.235 --> 00:51:46.738
It's also from genesis 1, that human beings,
00:51:46.738 --> 00:51:52.043
Though fashioned from the mere dust of the earth,
00:51:52.043 --> 00:51:55.113
Material stuff, are nevertheless made
00:51:55.113 --> 00:51:58.116
In the very image and likeness of god.
00:51:58.116 --> 00:52:03.321
That's where our basic dignity comes from.
00:52:03.321 --> 00:52:05.723
That's where our rights are anchored.
00:52:05.723 --> 00:52:08.493
And they wrote those principles
00:52:08.493 --> 00:52:10.995
Into our founding documents, into
00:52:10.995 --> 00:52:12.664
The declaration and into the constitution.
00:52:12.664 --> 00:52:15.099
George: and that all political connection
00:52:15.099 --> 00:52:17.235
Between them and the state of great
00:52:17.235 --> 00:52:18.603
Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved,
00:52:18.603 --> 00:52:24.209
And that as free and independent states,
00:52:24.209 --> 00:52:26.978
They have full power to levy war, conclude peace,
00:52:26.978 --> 00:52:30.548
Contract alliances, establish commerce,
00:52:30.548 --> 00:52:33.151
And to do all other acts and things
00:52:33.151 --> 00:52:35.820
Which independent states may of right do.
00:52:35.820 --> 00:52:39.824
John neilson: and in support
00:52:39.824 --> 00:52:41.159
Of this declaration, with a firm reliance
00:52:41.159 --> 00:52:45.096
On the protection of divine providence, we
00:52:45.096 --> 00:52:48.333
Mutually pledge to each other our lives,
00:52:48.333 --> 00:52:53.037
Our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
00:52:53.037 --> 00:52:56.474
Male: three cheers for independency!
00:52:56.474 --> 00:52:58.443
Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah!
00:52:58.443 --> 00:53:02.814
George: the fate of unborn millions
00:53:02.814 --> 00:53:04.582
Now depends, under god, upon the conduct
00:53:04.582 --> 00:53:08.987
And courage of this army.
00:53:08.987 --> 00:53:11.222
Jana: england is a country
00:53:14.893 --> 00:53:16.227
That has the greatest navy in the world,
00:53:16.227 --> 00:53:18.096
The greatest military might in the world.
00:53:18.096 --> 00:53:20.632
We had farmers, 15, 16-year-old kids
00:53:20.632 --> 00:53:25.470
Who had, you know, the musket
00:53:25.470 --> 00:53:27.805
That they'd kept up in the barn, basically, that they
00:53:27.805 --> 00:53:30.241
Were going fighting with.
00:53:30.241 --> 00:53:32.043
So it's brave, it really is.
00:53:32.043 --> 00:53:35.380
Nick: the american revolutionaries in 1774
00:53:35.380 --> 00:53:37.515
And 1775 were really doing something very dangerous.
00:53:37.515 --> 00:53:40.418
I mean, there is no doubt that they were,
00:53:40.418 --> 00:53:42.086
From a british point of view, committing treason.
00:53:42.086 --> 00:53:44.822
Technically, if they had been captured,
00:53:44.822 --> 00:53:46.658
They could have been put on trial and hanged in london.
00:53:46.658 --> 00:53:49.427
Akhil: and ben franklin understood
00:53:49.427 --> 00:53:50.895
That from the get-go.
00:53:50.895 --> 00:53:52.664
He famously says, "if we do not hang together,
00:53:52.664 --> 00:53:57.802
We individuals, we states, we will hang--assuredly
00:53:57.802 --> 00:54:01.472
Hang separately," that is, by the neck until we're dead.
00:54:01.472 --> 00:54:03.541
They will divide and conquer us.
00:54:03.541 --> 00:54:06.844
Michael: what if the revolutionary war
00:54:06.844 --> 00:54:08.880
Had ended as soon as it began?
00:54:08.880 --> 00:54:12.583
What if george washington had been captured or killed,
00:54:12.583 --> 00:54:16.888
The continental army destroyed
00:54:16.888 --> 00:54:18.489
And disbanded, all before
00:54:18.489 --> 00:54:21.192
The summer of 1776 had even come to an end?
00:54:21.192 --> 00:54:26.464
It would be more than seven years
00:54:26.464 --> 00:54:29.901
Before the revolution was won and america was free.
00:54:29.901 --> 00:54:33.938
But if not for several timely rescues
00:54:33.938 --> 00:54:37.575
From an unseen ally, america may never have
00:54:37.575 --> 00:54:41.946
Even been born.
00:54:41.946 --> 00:54:42.617
In late august of 1776, the battle of long island
00:54:44.891 --> 00:54:50.297
Was a one-sided and decisive british victory.
00:54:50.297 --> 00:54:55.902
Joseph: i think it's the single most
00:54:55.902 --> 00:54:57.637
Important moment in the war, in the sense that washington
00:54:57.637 --> 00:55:03.076
Has decided to defend new york, which
00:55:03.076 --> 00:55:06.313
Is an archipelago, which means it's indefensible
00:55:06.313 --> 00:55:09.383
If you don't control the seas.
00:55:09.383 --> 00:55:11.284
In the battle of long island, he's merely
00:55:11.284 --> 00:55:13.787
Outflanked, and he's up against
00:55:13.787 --> 00:55:16.890
The end of long island now with a british force
00:55:16.890 --> 00:55:20.327
Beneath him of 30,000 troops.
00:55:20.327 --> 00:55:24.031
He's trapped.
00:55:24.031 --> 00:55:26.033
The troops are preparing themselves
00:55:26.033 --> 00:55:27.768
To charge and lose their lives.
00:55:27.768 --> 00:55:30.070
Nick: many of the british officers, particularly
00:55:30.070 --> 00:55:31.405
The most senior officers, displayed a really
00:55:31.405 --> 00:55:33.707
Bloodthirsty attitude towards the colonists.
00:55:33.707 --> 00:55:37.744
They were apt to make statements about the need
00:55:37.744 --> 00:55:39.880
For a bloodletting on the colonial side,
00:55:39.880 --> 00:55:41.982
The wholesale hanging and slaughter
00:55:41.982 --> 00:55:43.717
Of the leaders of the revolution,
00:55:43.717 --> 00:55:46.019
And that would put an end to the problem of unrest
00:55:46.019 --> 00:55:49.589
And disobedience within the empire.
00:55:49.589 --> 00:55:53.126
[storm raging]
00:55:53.126 --> 00:55:56.897
Male: our powder and our cartridges are soaked.
00:55:56.897 --> 00:56:00.834
George: and so are theirs.
00:56:00.834 --> 00:56:02.235
Male: this weather is most providential.
00:56:05.238 --> 00:56:08.942
At least it's discouraged howe
00:56:08.942 --> 00:56:10.310
From coming at us again.
00:56:10.310 --> 00:56:12.212
George: at least, as it is, we couldn't take another blow.
00:56:12.212 --> 00:56:17.284
Casualty report?
00:56:17.284 --> 00:56:19.219
Is it as bad as we feared?
00:56:19.219 --> 00:56:21.855
Male: yes, sir.
00:56:21.855 --> 00:56:26.626
George: stirling and sullivan both captured.
00:56:30.597 --> 00:56:35.168
It says here, more than 300 dead.
00:56:35.168 --> 00:56:44.010
Male: as best we can tell.
00:56:44.010 --> 00:56:45.378
♪♪♪
00:56:45.378 --> 00:56:54.087
George: we are here.
00:56:54.087 --> 00:56:55.922
Howe, here.
00:56:55.922 --> 00:56:58.792
Their ships cannot sail up to us as long
00:56:58.792 --> 00:57:01.695
As this wind continues from the northeast.
00:57:01.695 --> 00:57:05.899
That will not last, and once it shifts,
00:57:05.899 --> 00:57:10.604
We're trapped.
00:57:10.604 --> 00:57:13.740
Male: what are your orders, sir?
00:57:13.740 --> 00:57:15.509
♪♪♪
00:57:15.509 --> 00:57:28.355
George: send word to general heth.
00:57:25.452 --> 00:57:30.323
Tell him to gather every boat that he can muster.
00:57:30.323 --> 00:57:34.127
And then, colonel glover, send word that we'll
00:57:34.127 --> 00:57:37.597
Have need of his fishermen and his sailors.
00:57:37.597 --> 00:57:41.768
Tonight we will cross the river, quiet as a mouse.
00:57:41.768 --> 00:57:48.909
Male: surely they will see us, sir.
00:57:48.909 --> 00:57:52.345
George: general mifflin will create
00:57:52.345 --> 00:57:55.382
The illusion that we are continuing entrenchments
00:57:55.382 --> 00:57:58.618
And keeping fires burning through the night.
00:57:58.618 --> 00:58:00.353
We may just be able to steal some time.
00:58:03.990 --> 00:58:06.026
♪♪♪
00:58:06.026 --> 00:58:11.331
Jana: washington actually had to retreat.
00:58:11.331 --> 00:58:14.534
They were outmanned, outgunned, overwhelmed,
00:58:14.534 --> 00:58:17.771
And so the only time was an orderly retreat.
00:58:17.771 --> 00:58:22.008
Joseph: a strategic retreat is the most
00:58:22.008 --> 00:58:23.877
Difficult maneuver of an infantry unit,
00:58:23.877 --> 00:58:26.980
Because you have to hold ground
00:58:26.980 --> 00:58:28.548
While you evacuate, and the last ones
00:58:28.548 --> 00:58:31.084
To leave are the ones who were the toughest.
00:58:31.084 --> 00:58:33.453
They might never get out.
00:58:33.453 --> 00:58:34.921
Michael: the nearby presence of four fearsome
00:58:38.158 --> 00:58:40.427
Enemy warships, with their formidable
00:58:40.427 --> 00:58:42.996
Complement of cannon, made escape across
00:58:42.996 --> 00:58:45.799
The water unlikely, if not unthinkable.
00:58:45.799 --> 00:58:49.269
Joseph: but a fog forms at this time.
00:58:52.806 --> 00:58:55.909
Jana: it was not weather for it,
00:58:55.909 --> 00:58:57.777
It was not a day for it.
00:58:57.777 --> 00:58:59.246
There's no reason this fog should have rolled
00:58:59.246 --> 00:59:00.947
In, and yet just when it was needed,
00:59:00.947 --> 00:59:03.550
Fog rolled in.
00:59:03.550 --> 00:59:05.118
Joseph: witnesses say you could see more than
00:59:05.118 --> 00:59:06.453
Not three feet in front of you,
00:59:06.453 --> 00:59:08.622
So the british don't know the evacuation
00:59:08.622 --> 00:59:10.924
Is occurring.
00:59:10.924 --> 00:59:12.259
♪♪♪
00:59:12.259 --> 00:59:20.667
Male: it'll be dawn soon.
00:59:20.667 --> 00:59:23.036
George: how many more?
00:59:23.036 --> 00:59:24.671
Male: hundreds.
00:59:24.671 --> 00:59:26.106
Joseph: the british navy doesn't do anything.
00:59:26.106 --> 00:59:29.075
If they had three ships out there, it could
00:59:29.075 --> 00:59:30.777
Have sunk every one of those vessels.
00:59:30.777 --> 00:59:32.912
They would have never made it across.
00:59:32.912 --> 00:59:35.782
Jane: many of the soldiers who
00:59:39.519 --> 00:59:40.854
Experienced this fog wrote letters back
00:59:40.854 --> 00:59:43.123
To their local newspapers in boston and virginia and said,
00:59:43.123 --> 00:59:46.993
"providence favored us.
00:59:46.993 --> 00:59:49.029
The night was remarkably still, the water as smooth
00:59:49.029 --> 00:59:51.998
As glass, yet all our boats got over.
00:59:51.998 --> 00:59:54.801
The enemy did not discover that we had evacuated
00:59:54.801 --> 00:59:57.537
Our lines until we were all got over."
00:59:57.537 --> 01:00:00.473
And so this was seen as providential
01:00:00.473 --> 01:00:02.676
Because the fog was not in manhattan,
01:00:02.676 --> 01:00:04.811
It was just at long island.
01:00:04.811 --> 01:00:06.546
♪♪♪
01:00:06.546 --> 01:00:18.325
Male: you'll never believe it, sir.
01:00:14.554 --> 01:00:19.826
Thick as soup over here, but in manhattan
01:00:19.826 --> 01:00:21.628
Where we dropped them, it's clear as crystal,
01:00:21.628 --> 01:00:23.263
No fog at all.
01:00:23.263 --> 01:00:25.999
Male: time to go, general.
01:00:25.999 --> 01:00:28.435
Joseph: this is the great escape of the war.
01:00:28.435 --> 01:00:30.470
He should have never made it.
01:00:30.470 --> 01:00:31.938
They should have gotten him.
01:00:31.938 --> 01:00:34.140
If you are providentially inclined, you've got
01:00:34.140 --> 01:00:37.010
To believe that some forces are acting on the
01:00:37.010 --> 01:00:40.246
American behalf, and the british
01:00:40.246 --> 01:00:42.048
Actually say that afterwards, i mean, "how can
01:00:42.048 --> 01:00:44.918
All these things have happened at the same time?"
01:00:44.918 --> 01:00:47.153
Robert: were those just all coincidences?
01:00:47.153 --> 01:00:49.022
Well, maybe they were.
01:00:49.022 --> 01:00:50.623
Logically, it's possible that maybe, coincidentally,
01:00:50.623 --> 01:00:54.461
We had coincidence after coincidence
01:00:54.461 --> 01:00:56.129
After coincidence, all favoring washington
01:00:56.129 --> 01:00:59.466
And favoring the american side,
01:00:59.466 --> 01:01:01.835
And leading to this miraculous,
01:01:01.835 --> 01:01:03.703
What would otherwise seem, miraculous victory
01:01:03.703 --> 01:01:06.506
Of the american revolutionaries, this ragtag
01:01:06.506 --> 01:01:08.508
Bunch, over the greatest military power
01:01:08.508 --> 01:01:10.477
On earth.
01:01:10.477 --> 01:01:12.545
But washington didn't believe they
01:01:12.545 --> 01:01:14.180
Were mere coincidences.
01:01:14.180 --> 01:01:16.916
Washington saw a supervening providence,
01:01:16.916 --> 01:01:19.319
The hand of a supervening providence, in these
01:01:19.319 --> 01:01:22.255
So-called coincidences.
01:01:22.255 --> 01:01:24.090
He saw miracles, where a skeptic
01:01:24.090 --> 01:01:26.559
Or a cynic might see coincidences.
01:01:26.559 --> 01:01:32.365
Joseph: there's a keen sense
01:01:32.365 --> 01:01:33.700
In the british army, this was the chance to end it.
01:01:33.700 --> 01:01:37.437
This was the chance to get the whole army.
01:01:37.437 --> 01:01:40.173
And they were right.
01:01:40.173 --> 01:01:41.708
And once that missed, it would never come again.
01:01:41.708 --> 01:01:44.477
♪♪♪
01:01:46.212 --> 01:02:03.663
Male: enemy!
01:01:56.222 --> 01:02:05.732
Trio, boys, trio!
01:02:05.732 --> 01:02:09.436
[gunshots]
01:02:09.436 --> 01:02:11.137
♪♪♪
01:02:11.137 --> 01:02:28.321
Akhil: if you look at the american revolution,
01:02:21.147 --> 01:02:30.190
I mean, it's longer than the american civil war.
01:02:30.190 --> 01:02:33.393
So this became this really long
01:02:33.393 --> 01:02:35.128
Battle of attrition and perseverance
01:02:35.128 --> 01:02:37.797
That was a kind of a matter of wills.
01:02:37.797 --> 01:02:40.366
The secret weapon for america was
01:02:43.703 --> 01:02:46.039
George washington.
01:02:46.039 --> 01:02:47.440
The admiration that his troops had for him,
01:02:47.440 --> 01:02:49.809
For his character.
01:02:49.809 --> 01:02:51.177
George: gentlemen, we've
01:02:51.177 --> 01:02:53.012
Received intelligence about the activities
01:02:53.012 --> 01:02:55.648
Of our enemies across the water.
01:02:55.648 --> 01:02:58.351
It's their intention to wait until the river
01:02:58.351 --> 01:03:00.386
Hardens sufficiently with ice, then to come
01:03:00.386 --> 01:03:03.523
Across and destroy us.
01:03:03.523 --> 01:03:08.194
But i intend that they should
01:03:08.194 --> 01:03:10.196
Not have such an opportunity.
01:03:10.196 --> 01:03:12.365
Tonight, we shall take every boat
01:03:12.365 --> 01:03:15.235
That we have collected, and glover's ferrymen,
01:03:15.235 --> 01:03:19.172
As well as those from philadelphia and also
01:03:19.172 --> 01:03:21.407
From new jersey.
01:03:21.407 --> 01:03:22.775
We shall cross, and we shall attack trenton
01:03:22.775 --> 01:03:26.212
Before sunrise tomorrow.
01:03:26.212 --> 01:03:27.580
The password and watchword are victory or death.
01:03:30.783 --> 01:03:38.625
All: victory or death!
01:03:40.326 --> 01:03:42.896
George: aye.
01:03:42.896 --> 01:03:46.266
Male: sir, the boats are ready.
01:03:46.266 --> 01:03:48.501
George: excellent.
01:03:48.501 --> 01:03:49.903
Officers, see to your men.
01:03:49.903 --> 01:03:58.912
Male: the storm's coming.
01:04:02.515 --> 01:04:04.684
Male: [coughs] it is, yes.
01:04:04.684 --> 01:04:09.355
Male: i can feel it in my bones.
01:04:09.355 --> 01:04:13.092
Joseph: washington's stature as the embodiment
01:04:13.092 --> 01:04:15.695
Of the revolution was unquestioned.
01:04:15.695 --> 01:04:19.032
There's nobody in american history
01:04:19.032 --> 01:04:21.701
Who has occupied that kind of position
01:04:21.701 --> 01:04:25.038
Of recognition.
01:04:25.038 --> 01:04:28.808
Michael: the british believed they were
01:04:28.808 --> 01:04:30.376
On the verge of destroying the american rebels,
01:04:30.376 --> 01:04:33.413
But washington's bold decision
01:04:33.413 --> 01:04:35.548
To attack trenton was aided by a providential
01:04:35.548 --> 01:04:39.252
Christmas snowstorm that blinded their approach,
01:04:39.252 --> 01:04:42.455
Allowing the continental army complete victory
01:04:42.455 --> 01:04:45.892
Over the hessian garrison.
01:04:45.892 --> 01:04:47.527
This turn of events shocked the british
01:04:50.964 --> 01:04:52.765
And brought great hope to the colonies
01:04:52.765 --> 01:04:55.034
That god's providence was aiding in their fight
01:04:55.034 --> 01:04:58.705
For independence.
01:04:58.705 --> 01:05:00.039
Male: who are ye?
01:05:00.039 --> 01:05:05.545
John fitzgerald: my name's john fitzgerald,
01:05:05.545 --> 01:05:07.246
Aide-de-camp of general washington.
01:05:07.246 --> 01:05:09.015
Male: aye.
01:05:09.015 --> 01:05:11.351
John fitzgerald: about a week ago, washington took us
01:05:11.351 --> 01:05:13.386
Across the delaware river.
01:05:13.386 --> 01:05:14.954
It's full of ice.
01:05:14.954 --> 01:05:16.289
It's uncrossable, really.
01:05:16.289 --> 01:05:18.458
But our new position allowed us to catch
01:05:18.458 --> 01:05:20.560
The hessians at trenton totally unaware.
01:05:20.560 --> 01:05:23.830
Christmas, it was.
01:05:23.830 --> 01:05:25.198
That was a great victory.
01:05:25.198 --> 01:05:27.367
Male: casualties?
01:05:27.367 --> 01:05:29.469
John fitzgerald: at trenton?
01:05:29.469 --> 01:05:30.803
Male: yeah.
01:05:30.803 --> 01:05:32.171
John fitzgerald: oh, not many, if any, on our side.
01:05:32.171 --> 01:05:34.774
Plenty on their side, though.
01:05:34.774 --> 01:05:36.709
We stocked up on food and supplies as well.
01:05:36.709 --> 01:05:39.912
Male: and then what?
01:05:39.912 --> 01:05:41.514
John fitzgerald: well, we were expecting
01:05:41.514 --> 01:05:43.549
A swift counterattack from howe, so we dug
01:05:43.549 --> 01:05:46.519
In on the south side of this little creek.
01:05:46.519 --> 01:05:48.421
It was good ground, but we were hemmed
01:05:48.421 --> 01:05:50.657
In, couldn't stay.
01:05:50.657 --> 01:05:52.725
But the night grew very cold and the roads firmed up.
01:05:52.725 --> 01:05:56.929
Washington saw the chance, we moved again.
01:05:56.929 --> 01:05:59.632
Real quiet-like, in the middle of the night.
01:05:59.632 --> 01:06:02.869
We snuck right past howe's army and made it up here.
01:06:02.869 --> 01:06:06.739
Now we've got them in flight.
01:06:06.739 --> 01:06:10.009
Where are we again?
01:06:10.009 --> 01:06:11.344
Male: princeton.
01:06:11.344 --> 01:06:12.712
John fitzgerald: aye.
01:06:12.712 --> 01:06:14.047
We had a another fight yesterday, more
01:06:14.047 --> 01:06:16.282
Than a skirmish she was.
01:06:16.282 --> 01:06:17.817
Line to line, and i can't believe what i saw.
01:06:17.817 --> 01:06:23.189
Male: what?
01:06:23.189 --> 01:06:26.159
George: make ready.
01:06:26.159 --> 01:06:27.960
Present!
01:06:27.960 --> 01:06:29.295
John fitzgerald: he just rode out, right
01:06:29.295 --> 01:06:30.697
In front of both lines.
01:06:30.697 --> 01:06:33.800
Male: who?
01:06:33.800 --> 01:06:35.168
John fitzgerald: the general, general washington.
01:06:35.168 --> 01:06:37.704
He was so exposed.
01:06:37.704 --> 01:06:40.106
Both lines fired.
01:06:40.106 --> 01:06:41.474
I had to cover my face with my hat.
01:06:45.178 --> 01:06:47.847
I couldn't bear to see him fall.
01:06:47.847 --> 01:06:51.784
And after the volley, i could hear
01:06:51.784 --> 01:06:54.120
The sounds of death, of many men crying out in pain.
01:06:54.120 --> 01:06:59.358
And then the smoke cleared a little,
01:06:59.358 --> 01:07:01.194
And there he was, untouched.
01:07:01.194 --> 01:07:04.530
And he rose up in his stirrups
01:07:04.530 --> 01:07:06.399
And he shouted, "it's a fine fox chase,
01:07:06.399 --> 01:07:09.068
My boys!"
01:07:09.068 --> 01:07:12.839
And he led the chase, and the brits ran!
01:07:12.839 --> 01:07:18.377
Joseph: there are multiple occasions
01:07:18.377 --> 01:07:19.979
During washington's life when most everybody else
01:07:19.979 --> 01:07:23.116
Would have somehow gotten killed.
01:07:23.116 --> 01:07:24.751
When he purposefully stands in the front of british fire,
01:07:28.087 --> 01:07:32.058
He does that to show the troops that he's willing
01:07:32.058 --> 01:07:34.527
To run the same risks that he's asking them to run.
01:07:34.527 --> 01:07:39.599
Male: does this change the war?
01:07:39.599 --> 01:07:42.335
John fitzgerald: well, i cannot say for sure
01:07:42.335 --> 01:07:45.438
To that, but trenton, and now this?
01:07:45.438 --> 01:07:50.176
Our enemy is not invincible.
01:07:50.176 --> 01:07:52.979
They can be beaten.
01:07:52.979 --> 01:07:56.415
Male: godspeed.
01:07:56.415 --> 01:08:02.021
Michael: at the battle of brandywine creek
01:08:05.958 --> 01:08:07.794
In september of 1777, washington was caught
01:08:07.794 --> 01:08:12.064
In the sights of one of the finest marksmen
01:08:12.064 --> 01:08:14.300
In the british army, patrick ferguson.
01:08:14.300 --> 01:08:19.238
Patrick ferguson: dismount at once and raise your hands!
01:08:23.409 --> 01:08:26.779
Male: get back! run, sir!
01:08:26.779 --> 01:08:36.589
Jane: mr. ferguson had him within sight,
01:08:40.493 --> 01:08:43.196
And he thought about shooting him
01:08:43.196 --> 01:08:45.198
And then decided, no, he wanted to capture him.
01:08:45.198 --> 01:08:47.200
George washington got away.
01:08:47.200 --> 01:08:49.335
And this happens over and over again,
01:08:49.335 --> 01:08:51.971
And it was impossible to really explain it
01:08:51.971 --> 01:08:54.640
By any human sense.
01:08:54.640 --> 01:09:05.218
Michael: it was at valley forge
01:09:08.921 --> 01:09:10.923
That washington and his continental
01:09:10.923 --> 01:09:13.259
Army experienced their greatest time of testing.
01:09:13.259 --> 01:09:18.598
Jane: they were dark days.
01:09:22.201 --> 01:09:23.569
People were impoverished.
01:09:23.569 --> 01:09:27.874
Families were separated.
01:09:27.874 --> 01:09:30.409
Men were dying.
01:09:30.409 --> 01:09:32.578
Akhil: and some of the losses aren't
01:09:32.578 --> 01:09:33.980
Even battlefield losses.
01:09:33.980 --> 01:09:35.781
Horrendous death and suffering at valley forge.
01:09:35.781 --> 01:09:42.421
They don't have blankets, they don't have shoes,
01:09:42.421 --> 01:09:45.458
They don't have shirts, they don't have enough food.
01:09:45.458 --> 01:09:50.730
George: there's a farmer down the road.
01:09:50.730 --> 01:09:52.465
He has some horses.
01:09:52.465 --> 01:09:53.799
See if you can procure them at a reasonable cost.
01:09:53.799 --> 01:09:55.768
We are in dire need.
01:09:55.768 --> 01:09:57.103
Male: yes, sir.
01:09:57.103 --> 01:10:00.439
Female: we're off to infirmary.
01:10:00.439 --> 01:10:02.808
George: very well.
01:10:02.808 --> 01:10:04.210
Male: what are your orders, sir?
01:10:07.213 --> 01:10:10.650
George: we will cut the timber
01:10:10.650 --> 01:10:12.018
From these hills, and build cabins here
01:10:12.018 --> 01:10:15.087
In the valley.
01:10:15.087 --> 01:10:16.422
Akhil: what perseverance, what stoicism.
01:10:16.422 --> 01:10:19.892
He chose to basically stay in the field,
01:10:19.892 --> 01:10:24.163
Keep at it day after day, even though he's losing.
01:10:24.163 --> 01:10:26.999
Male: yes, sir.
01:10:26.999 --> 01:10:28.401
Richard dreyfuss: as i grew up, washington was
01:10:31.504 --> 01:10:34.907
The most unknown of the founding fathers.
01:10:34.907 --> 01:10:39.712
We didn't really know or understand him.
01:10:39.712 --> 01:10:44.016
And he was not an eloquent writer,
01:10:44.016 --> 01:10:48.788
So what he wrote was not memorable.
01:10:48.788 --> 01:10:53.793
But what he said and did was.
01:10:53.793 --> 01:10:58.164
He was a man of destiny, and he was
01:11:01.901 --> 01:11:08.007
Thought of in those kinds of terms by everybody.
01:11:08.007 --> 01:11:13.980
Everybody, including king george.
01:11:13.980 --> 01:11:17.383
His respect for washington was enormous.
01:11:17.383 --> 01:11:22.121
And he knew it before the end of the war.
01:11:22.121 --> 01:11:27.393
Joseph: as a military leader, washington
01:11:27.393 --> 01:11:29.595
Is the only great general in american history
01:11:29.595 --> 01:11:32.098
That lost more battles than he won.
01:11:32.098 --> 01:11:35.668
He was outmaneuvered by the british
01:11:35.668 --> 01:11:38.204
On almost every occasion, outflanked.
01:11:38.204 --> 01:11:42.408
Now, part of the problem is he's commanding
01:11:42.408 --> 01:11:44.510
A force of amateurs, and the british
01:11:44.510 --> 01:11:47.146
Are commanding a force of professionals.
01:11:47.146 --> 01:11:49.315
So it's hard to be completely fair
01:11:49.315 --> 01:11:51.250
About that.
01:11:51.250 --> 01:11:55.421
Mary: during the revolutionary war,
01:11:55.421 --> 01:11:57.690
There was a smallpox epidemic going on in america.
01:11:57.690 --> 01:12:02.194
Joseph: he's immune to smallpox
01:12:02.194 --> 01:12:04.397
Because he got a lower version of it.
01:12:04.397 --> 01:12:06.432
Mary: once you've had it, you're immune.
01:12:06.432 --> 01:12:09.568
Joseph: but in some sense, washington seems to be immune
01:12:09.568 --> 01:12:11.637
To everything.
01:12:11.637 --> 01:12:15.374
It's a kind of testing time.
01:12:15.374 --> 01:12:18.677
It's a time when the officer
01:12:18.677 --> 01:12:20.880
Corps of the army talks about itself as "the few,"
01:12:20.880 --> 01:12:23.916
"we're the few," because remember,
01:12:23.916 --> 01:12:26.218
They're not being supported by the state governments
01:12:26.218 --> 01:12:28.254
Or by the congress.
01:12:28.254 --> 01:12:30.890
Male: evening, sir.
01:12:30.890 --> 01:12:32.258
Male: good evening.
01:12:32.258 --> 01:12:33.592
Male: how are you lads?
01:12:33.592 --> 01:12:34.927
Male: very good, sir.
01:12:34.927 --> 01:12:36.295
Male: have you been fed?
01:12:36.295 --> 01:12:37.630
Male: yes, sir.
01:12:37.630 --> 01:12:38.998
Male: stay alert.
01:12:38.998 --> 01:12:40.332
Male: thank you, sir.
01:12:40.332 --> 01:12:41.700
Joseph: they're not getting paid.
01:12:41.700 --> 01:12:43.035
They're not going to get a pension.
01:12:43.035 --> 01:12:44.503
And it's a really, really difficult environment.
01:12:44.503 --> 01:12:49.909
Male: what's in the pot tonight?
01:12:49.909 --> 01:12:51.811
Male: hello, sire.
01:12:51.811 --> 01:12:53.379
No meat, just potatoes.
01:12:53.379 --> 01:12:57.249
Male: give it a good stir.
01:12:57.249 --> 01:12:58.651
Keep the fire going.
01:12:58.651 --> 01:13:00.019
Male: yes, sir.
01:13:00.019 --> 01:13:01.554
Jane: but that hope for liberty
01:13:05.324 --> 01:13:07.960
Was the light that led them,
01:13:07.960 --> 01:13:11.697
That under god, he would lead them
01:13:11.697 --> 01:13:14.567
To a time of peace and prosperity
01:13:14.567 --> 01:13:17.703
That would be a fulfillment of those natural rights.
01:13:17.703 --> 01:13:22.408
♪♪♪
01:13:25.744 --> 01:13:37.123
Michael: whether or not the legendary prayer
01:13:33.752 --> 01:13:38.958
At valley forge actually took place
01:13:38.958 --> 01:13:41.427
As the famous painting depicts, that remains
01:13:41.427 --> 01:13:44.930
The subject of historical debate.
01:13:44.930 --> 01:13:47.833
But what is clear is that george washington
01:13:47.833 --> 01:13:50.269
Was indisputably a man of prayer,
01:13:50.269 --> 01:13:53.239
A fact confirmed by his own writings.
01:13:53.239 --> 01:13:57.943
George: o lord, that the god of armies
01:13:57.943 --> 01:14:01.680
May incline the hearts of my american
01:14:01.680 --> 01:14:03.616
Brethren to support and bestow sufficient
01:14:03.616 --> 01:14:06.819
Abilities on me to bring the present
01:14:06.819 --> 01:14:10.222
Contest to a speedy and happy conclusion,
01:14:10.222 --> 01:14:15.461
Is the first wish and most fervent
01:14:15.461 --> 01:14:17.763
Prayer of my soul.
01:14:17.763 --> 01:14:19.131
♪♪♪
01:14:19.131 --> 01:14:26.624
Elizabeth freeman: when i was grown, i heard
01:14:27.544 --> 01:14:29.145
That phrase, those words, three times before
01:14:29.145 --> 01:14:32.549
I claimed it, that all mankind
01:14:32.549 --> 01:14:35.218
Are equal, free, and independent of each other.
01:14:35.218 --> 01:14:40.823
The first time was a cold january day
01:14:40.823 --> 01:14:43.259
In 1773, when nearly a dozen men came to mr.
01:14:43.259 --> 01:14:47.463
Ashley's house.
01:14:47.463 --> 01:14:49.032
That's the first time i remember mr.
01:14:49.032 --> 01:14:50.600
Sedgwick, the lawyer.
01:14:50.600 --> 01:14:52.669
They talked about grievances, and corruption
01:14:52.669 --> 01:14:55.405
From the king, and not being accountable
01:14:55.405 --> 01:14:57.740
To the people.
01:14:57.740 --> 01:14:59.976
It was very serious.
01:14:59.976 --> 01:15:02.779
Male: gentlemen of sheffield, we meet tonight to come
01:15:02.779 --> 01:15:05.848
To agreement on a set of resolves.
01:15:05.848 --> 01:15:09.319
We have done so, and this is what we
01:15:09.319 --> 01:15:12.355
Have decided.
01:15:12.355 --> 01:15:14.290
Mankind, in a state of nature, are equal, free,
01:15:14.290 --> 01:15:18.261
And independent of each other, and
01:15:18.261 --> 01:15:20.997
Have a right to the undisturbed
01:15:20.997 --> 01:15:23.032
Enjoyment of their lives, their liberty,
01:15:23.032 --> 01:15:26.703
And their property.
01:15:26.703 --> 01:15:28.705
Can on this we agree?
01:15:28.705 --> 01:15:30.473
All: aye.
01:15:30.473 --> 01:15:33.409
Elizabeth: for the next years,
01:15:33.409 --> 01:15:34.844
Those words encouraged my soul.
01:15:34.844 --> 01:15:38.147
I heard those words again when mr.
01:15:38.147 --> 01:15:39.916
Ashley talked about the declaration
01:15:39.916 --> 01:15:42.118
Of independence, that those rights come
01:15:42.118 --> 01:15:44.921
From a creator, and that among them are life,
01:15:44.921 --> 01:15:48.424
Liberty--
01:15:48.424 --> 01:15:49.792
Male: we are all created equal.
01:15:49.792 --> 01:15:51.127
Elizabeth: and happiness.
01:15:51.127 --> 01:15:52.495
By then, i had a baby of my own,
01:15:52.495 --> 01:15:54.931
And my husband went off to war, to the revolution.
01:15:54.931 --> 01:15:59.068
He never came back.
01:15:59.068 --> 01:16:01.504
He paid the ultimate price.
01:16:01.504 --> 01:16:03.973
I paid a smaller price, too.
01:16:03.973 --> 01:16:07.744
One day, in 1780, my mistress,
01:16:07.744 --> 01:16:10.747
Madam ashley, had one of her angry fits,
01:16:10.747 --> 01:16:13.449
And started to strike my daughter,
01:16:13.449 --> 01:16:15.151
A weakly girl who had made herself
01:16:15.151 --> 01:16:17.587
A wheat cake from the scraps left
01:16:17.587 --> 01:16:19.289
Over from the family batch.
01:16:19.289 --> 01:16:22.425
Hannah ashley: where'd you get that?
01:16:22.425 --> 01:16:24.027
Elizabeth: it was just the scraps, mrs.
01:16:24.027 --> 01:16:25.361
Ashley, it was just scraps.
01:16:25.361 --> 01:16:26.729
Female: they were gonna throw it out.
01:16:26.729 --> 01:16:28.097
[shouting]
01:16:31.200 --> 01:16:40.910
Elizabeth: i left my wound uncovered
01:16:44.681 --> 01:16:46.049
All winter as evidence of her
01:16:46.049 --> 01:16:48.184
Harsh treatment.
01:16:48.184 --> 01:16:49.819
When people asked--
01:16:49.819 --> 01:16:51.621
Female: why, betty, what ails your arm?
01:16:51.621 --> 01:16:55.024
Elizabeth: ask madam.
01:16:55.024 --> 01:17:00.029
If one minute's freedom had been offered me,
01:17:03.933 --> 01:17:08.204
Especially in that moment, and i'd been told
01:17:08.204 --> 01:17:12.108
That i must die at the end of that minute.
01:17:12.108 --> 01:17:15.044
I would have taken it, just to stand one minute
01:17:15.044 --> 01:17:19.482
On god's earth as a free woman.
01:17:19.482 --> 01:17:24.287
That same year, i heard the words again,
01:17:24.287 --> 01:17:28.191
This time about a newly ratified document,
01:17:28.191 --> 01:17:31.594
The new constitution for massachusetts.
01:17:31.594 --> 01:17:34.764
It was read aloud in a public meeting.
01:17:34.764 --> 01:17:37.233
Male: we hold these truths to be self-evident,
01:17:37.233 --> 01:17:40.370
That all men are created equal,
01:17:40.370 --> 01:17:42.905
That they are endowed by their creator
01:17:42.905 --> 01:17:45.141
With certain unalienable rights.
01:17:45.141 --> 01:17:49.946
Robert: the reverend dr. martin luther king
01:17:49.946 --> 01:17:51.481
Never tired of invoking the declaration of independence.
01:17:51.481 --> 01:17:55.952
In his campaign for fundamental civil rights
01:17:55.952 --> 01:17:58.755
To overcome the legacy of slavery,
01:17:58.755 --> 01:18:01.190
He pleaded with his fellow americans
01:18:01.190 --> 01:18:04.627
To make good on the check that was written
01:18:04.627 --> 01:18:06.863
By the american founders, when it came to liberty
01:18:06.863 --> 01:18:10.133
And justice for all, when it came
01:18:10.133 --> 01:18:13.002
To the idea that all men, black, white, red,
01:18:13.002 --> 01:18:16.139
Yellow, brown, are created equal.
01:18:16.139 --> 01:18:21.310
Elizabeth: finally, i decided i would
01:18:25.181 --> 01:18:27.950
Do something about those words.
01:18:27.950 --> 01:18:30.787
I paid a visit to mr. sedgwick, the lawyer.
01:18:30.787 --> 01:18:33.689
Female: someone is here to see you.
01:18:33.689 --> 01:18:35.324
Theodore sedgwick: thank you, children.
01:18:35.324 --> 01:18:36.659
Tell your mom i'll be in soon.
01:18:36.659 --> 01:18:38.428
Both: yes, father.
01:18:38.428 --> 01:18:40.797
Theodore: you're bett, from judge ashley's house.
01:18:40.797 --> 01:18:44.700
Elizabeth: yes, sir.
01:18:44.700 --> 01:18:46.035
Theodore: please, sit.
01:18:46.035 --> 01:18:48.304
Join me.
01:18:48.304 --> 01:18:49.672
Elizabeth: why are you a gentleman, even to me?
01:18:49.672 --> 01:18:53.609
Theodore: i try to follow the golden rule,
01:18:53.609 --> 01:18:55.745
As best i can.
01:18:55.745 --> 01:18:57.680
I've heard your situation.
01:18:57.680 --> 01:19:00.049
How can i help you?
01:19:00.049 --> 01:19:02.151
Elizabeth: mr. sedgwick, seven years ago, you came to the
01:19:02.151 --> 01:19:05.288
House, and you wrote those resolves
01:19:05.288 --> 01:19:08.157
That all mankind are equal, free,
01:19:08.157 --> 01:19:11.527
And independent of each other.
01:19:11.527 --> 01:19:13.796
I heard you say so.
01:19:13.796 --> 01:19:15.565
And mr. ashley agreed.
01:19:15.565 --> 01:19:18.267
Then the declaration of independence say the same.
01:19:18.267 --> 01:19:22.738
Did you mean what you said, those words?
01:19:22.738 --> 01:19:27.343
Theodore: yes.
01:19:27.343 --> 01:19:29.378
Elizabeth: did you mean me?
01:19:29.378 --> 01:19:31.247
Am i all mankind?
01:19:31.247 --> 01:19:34.484
Theodore: yes.
01:19:37.887 --> 01:19:39.722
Yes, you are.
01:19:39.722 --> 01:19:41.757
All men, all women, equal.
01:19:41.757 --> 01:19:48.531
Elizabeth: mr. sedgwick, you a legal man.
01:19:48.531 --> 01:19:52.869
Can you tell mrs. ashley
01:19:52.869 --> 01:19:55.705
That she ain't my mistress no more?
01:19:55.705 --> 01:19:58.274
Elizabeth: he accepted my case,
01:20:02.044 --> 01:20:03.713
And added brom, one of mr. ashley's male slaves, to it too.
01:20:03.713 --> 01:20:10.520
Robert: king himself observed
01:20:10.520 --> 01:20:13.456
That there are two kinds of law: just and unjust.
01:20:13.456 --> 01:20:21.964
He said just laws are laws that are in line
01:20:21.964 --> 01:20:25.868
With the natural law and the law of god.
01:20:25.868 --> 01:20:31.741
Unjust laws are laws that are out of line
01:20:31.741 --> 01:20:35.278
With the natural law and the law of god.
01:20:35.278 --> 01:20:39.048
There is, in other words, according to king,
01:20:39.048 --> 01:20:41.651
A law above the merely human positive law,
01:20:41.651 --> 01:20:45.121
A law that no human being makes,
01:20:45.121 --> 01:20:47.123
A law that's ultimately made by god.
01:20:47.123 --> 01:20:50.459
Elizabeth: we claimed that the new
01:20:54.263 --> 01:20:56.098
Constitution of massachusetts effectively abolished slavery
01:20:56.098 --> 01:21:00.603
In the commonwealth.
01:21:00.603 --> 01:21:02.338
Theodore: judge john ashley, did you,
01:21:02.338 --> 01:21:04.941
In 1773, invite the distinguished
01:21:04.941 --> 01:21:08.077
Citizens of berkshire county to your home, to draft
01:21:08.077 --> 01:21:13.182
And sign the document now known
01:21:13.182 --> 01:21:15.484
As the sheffield resolves?
01:21:15.484 --> 01:21:18.521
John ashley: we did.
01:21:18.521 --> 01:21:20.022
Theodore: and did you then, and do you now,
01:21:20.022 --> 01:21:22.625
Support the declaration, that all men are
01:21:22.625 --> 01:21:26.696
Created free and equal, and independent
01:21:26.696 --> 01:21:29.799
Of each other in the eyes of god and the law?
01:21:29.799 --> 01:21:35.938
John ashley: we did.
01:21:35.938 --> 01:21:37.940
Theodore: does the massachusetts constitution,
01:21:37.940 --> 01:21:41.677
Signed in june last year, declare all men free and equal?
01:21:41.677 --> 01:21:48.784
John ashley: it does.
01:21:48.784 --> 01:21:50.119
Theodore: your honor, no further questions.
01:21:50.119 --> 01:21:59.428
Ms. bett, how was your arm injured?
01:22:03.265 --> 01:22:10.706
Elizabeth: you'll have to ask madam ashley.
01:22:10.706 --> 01:22:14.844
Theodore: did she strike you
01:22:14.844 --> 01:22:16.178
With a hot shovel?
01:22:16.178 --> 01:22:17.546
Male: objection.
01:22:17.546 --> 01:22:18.881
A slave cannot testify against a free defendant.
01:22:18.881 --> 01:22:22.251
Theodore: your honor, this objection
01:22:22.251 --> 01:22:23.586
Is founded on common law practices in british courts.
01:22:23.586 --> 01:22:27.990
On july 2nd of 1776, our 13 sovereign
01:22:27.990 --> 01:22:32.061
States declared their independence
01:22:32.061 --> 01:22:33.963
From great britain, based on the principle
01:22:33.963 --> 01:22:36.499
That all men are created equal.
01:22:36.499 --> 01:22:39.068
Last year, here in massachusetts,
01:22:39.068 --> 01:22:42.872
Our citizens ratified a constitution,
01:22:42.872 --> 01:22:45.141
A written constitution, that declares all men free
01:22:45.141 --> 01:22:48.978
And equal.
01:22:48.978 --> 01:22:50.312
British slave law no longer applies
01:22:50.312 --> 01:22:52.481
In massachusetts and cannot bar our citizens
01:22:52.481 --> 01:22:55.451
From testifying in court.
01:22:55.451 --> 01:22:59.488
Male: overruled.
01:23:02.892 --> 01:23:05.061
Theodore: ms. bett, i have to ask you again.
01:23:08.964 --> 01:23:11.934
Last october, how was your arm injured?
01:23:11.934 --> 01:23:15.538
Elizabeth: madam hannah ashley struck me
01:23:19.375 --> 01:23:23.479
With a hot shovel, straight from the fire.
01:23:23.479 --> 01:23:32.722
Robert: we're deeply fallen,
01:23:36.425 --> 01:23:37.793
Sinful creatures, and yet, made
01:23:37.793 --> 01:23:40.229
In the very image and likeness of god,
01:23:40.229 --> 01:23:41.964
That is, possessing dignity and therefore rights.
01:23:41.964 --> 01:23:44.467
Theodore: your honor, the plaintiffs rest.
01:23:47.870 --> 01:23:51.941
Members of the jury, brom and bett ask
01:23:51.941 --> 01:23:56.112
That you find them to be free men.
01:23:56.112 --> 01:24:00.116
Robert: why do we have natural rights?
01:24:03.986 --> 01:24:05.721
Why do we have human rights?
01:24:05.721 --> 01:24:07.790
Why are there things that it's wrong to do
01:24:07.790 --> 01:24:09.825
To any human being?
01:24:09.825 --> 01:24:12.495
Because human beings are not like amoeba,
01:24:12.495 --> 01:24:16.098
Or like ants, or even like dogs or pigs.
01:24:16.098 --> 01:24:19.268
They have the god-like qualities of reason and freedom.
01:24:19.268 --> 01:24:21.871
They have agency.
01:24:21.871 --> 01:24:23.939
They're made in the image and likeness of god.
01:24:23.939 --> 01:24:25.541
And that doesn't mean that god has five fingers
01:24:25.541 --> 01:24:27.676
On each of two hands and hair on his head and a nose.
01:24:27.676 --> 01:24:31.213
It means that like god, we have the powers of reason
01:24:31.213 --> 01:24:35.017
And freedom.
01:24:35.017 --> 01:24:36.352
We can envisage states of affairs
01:24:36.352 --> 01:24:37.720
That don't exist, but it would be good
01:24:37.720 --> 01:24:39.622
To bring into existence.
01:24:39.622 --> 01:24:40.956
And then we can act freely and on reason
01:24:40.956 --> 01:24:43.092
To bring those states of affairs
01:24:43.092 --> 01:24:45.027
Into being.
01:24:45.027 --> 01:24:48.864
Michael: the jury took little time
01:24:48.864 --> 01:24:51.133
To render its decision.
01:24:51.133 --> 01:24:53.302
Male: have you reached a verdict?
01:24:53.302 --> 01:24:54.770
Male: we, the jury, find that slavery
01:24:58.641 --> 01:25:01.911
Is incompatible with the state constitution,
01:25:01.911 --> 01:25:05.347
And award the plaintiffs damages of 30 shillings
01:25:05.347 --> 01:25:08.117
Each, plus costs.
01:25:08.117 --> 01:25:12.888
Male: i now find--
01:25:12.888 --> 01:25:14.256
Theodore: your honor?
01:25:14.256 --> 01:25:15.858
Bett would like to have it entered
01:25:19.662 --> 01:25:21.030
Into the record that her new name
01:25:21.030 --> 01:25:23.332
Shall be elizabeth freeman.
01:25:23.332 --> 01:25:26.969
Male: so ordered.
01:25:26.969 --> 01:25:28.304
[gavel bangs]
01:25:28.304 --> 01:25:29.705
[crowd applauds]
01:25:29.705 --> 01:25:34.577
Elizabeth: the jury found
01:25:35.477 --> 01:25:36.846
In our favor, that we are not, and
01:25:36.846 --> 01:25:39.281
Were not, the legal property of mr. ashley.
01:25:39.281 --> 01:25:42.551
Mr. ashley offered for me to live in his house
01:25:42.551 --> 01:25:45.254
And work for wages, but i declined.
01:25:45.254 --> 01:25:50.125
Instead, mr. sedgwick hired me as his governess
01:25:50.125 --> 01:25:53.095
For his children.
01:25:53.095 --> 01:25:54.563
They call me mum bett.
01:25:54.563 --> 01:25:56.131
Now the news has come of another court case.
01:25:59.735 --> 01:26:02.671
Judge cushing has said that perpetual servitude
01:26:02.671 --> 01:26:05.741
Can no longer be tolerated in our government,
01:26:05.741 --> 01:26:08.744
And that liberty cannot be taken.
01:26:08.744 --> 01:26:11.480
He said that slavery was effectively abolished
01:26:11.480 --> 01:26:14.950
In massachusetts.
01:26:14.950 --> 01:26:18.220
Michael: in october of 1781, it was
01:26:22.024 --> 01:26:24.560
The battle of yorktown that broke the british
01:26:24.560 --> 01:26:27.963
Resolve to continue the war.
01:26:27.963 --> 01:26:31.033
The french and the americans
01:26:34.737 --> 01:26:36.805
Pummeled general cornwallis's army for 11 days.
01:26:36.805 --> 01:26:43.112
[cannons firing]
01:26:43.112 --> 01:26:47.549
Michael: while those troops were huddled
01:26:47.549 --> 01:26:49.218
Behind earthen fortifications.
01:26:49.218 --> 01:26:53.622
But it would be another 18 months
01:26:57.426 --> 01:26:59.929
Before washington learned that negotiators
01:26:59.929 --> 01:27:02.865
In paris had reached a tentative agreement
01:27:02.865 --> 01:27:06.902
On a peace treaty.
01:27:06.902 --> 01:27:08.904
George: gentlemen, i see
01:27:12.474 --> 01:27:14.209
No reason why we should await signatures
01:27:14.209 --> 01:27:17.846
To stop the flow of blood at this time.
01:27:17.846 --> 01:27:20.082
We should propose a general
01:27:20.082 --> 01:27:22.084
Cessation of hostilities immediately.
01:27:22.084 --> 01:27:25.821
Michael: the british agreed.
01:27:25.821 --> 01:27:27.723
Washington's ceasefire went into effect on april 19,
01:27:27.723 --> 01:27:31.927
1783, exactly eight years after the shot heard
01:27:31.927 --> 01:27:37.132
Round the world was fired on lexington green.
01:27:37.132 --> 01:27:41.303
[cheering]
01:27:41.303 --> 01:27:44.940
Paul: the american revolution shouldn't have won.
01:27:44.940 --> 01:27:47.810
It shouldn't have defeated the british.
01:27:47.810 --> 01:27:50.779
The founders and those that were
01:27:50.779 --> 01:27:52.414
Involved in it were so amazed,
01:27:52.414 --> 01:27:54.550
And the whole world was frankly amazed by it,
01:27:54.550 --> 01:27:57.419
That a lot of them looked at it as, this had
01:27:57.419 --> 01:27:59.588
To be a kind of providential event.
01:27:59.588 --> 01:28:01.991
Michael: washington himself often marveled
01:28:01.991 --> 01:28:04.593
At the supernatural safeguards that seemed
01:28:04.593 --> 01:28:07.229
To sustain his endeavors, but he always
01:28:07.229 --> 01:28:10.265
Associated signs of heavenly favor
01:28:10.265 --> 01:28:13.869
With the cause.
01:28:13.869 --> 01:28:15.637
Joseph: miracle does apply
01:28:15.637 --> 01:28:17.172
In many of the battles, for example,
01:28:17.172 --> 01:28:19.708
And the way things turn.
01:28:19.708 --> 01:28:22.044
But at the base, the underlying
01:28:22.044 --> 01:28:24.179
Advantages the american populace and
01:28:24.179 --> 01:28:26.348
The american context provide were enormous
01:28:26.348 --> 01:28:30.819
Advantages that were quite palpable and not divine.
01:28:30.819 --> 01:28:34.189
So, it depends on your angle of vision.
01:28:34.189 --> 01:28:37.426
Robert: the founders themselves, in their very
01:28:37.426 --> 01:28:39.928
Declaration of independence from britain, stated
01:28:39.928 --> 01:28:43.499
That, "we place our reliance in the protection of
01:28:43.499 --> 01:28:46.735
Divine providence."
01:28:46.735 --> 01:28:48.637
But the american revolution not only
01:28:48.637 --> 01:28:50.806
Succeeded, it made possible a constitution,
01:28:50.806 --> 01:28:54.376
And the constitution succeeded in maintaining
01:28:54.376 --> 01:28:57.079
Republican government.
01:28:57.079 --> 01:28:58.447
Now, why?
01:28:58.447 --> 01:29:01.483
Michael: there was something special,
01:29:01.483 --> 01:29:02.985
Something utterly unique about the american revolution.
01:29:02.985 --> 01:29:06.622
It succeeded in establishing a wholly
01:29:06.622 --> 01:29:09.691
Unprecedented, self-governing federal republic
01:29:09.691 --> 01:29:14.763
That has endured and prospered under
01:29:14.763 --> 01:29:17.633
The same remarkable blueprint, with
01:29:17.633 --> 01:29:20.636
Periodic adjustments, for more than two hundred years.
01:29:20.636 --> 01:29:24.940
Robert: the founders understood that
01:29:24.940 --> 01:29:27.409
The greatest dangers to liberty came
01:29:27.409 --> 01:29:29.878
From central power, centralized power.
01:29:29.878 --> 01:29:32.848
So, in order to avoid
01:29:32.848 --> 01:29:35.851
The dangers of excessive power in the central
01:29:35.851 --> 01:29:38.554
Government, the original plan, that is,
01:29:38.554 --> 01:29:41.190
The articles of confederation,
01:29:41.190 --> 01:29:43.125
Gave the central government almost no power.
01:29:43.125 --> 01:29:45.427
Richard: the articles
01:29:45.427 --> 01:29:46.795
Of confederation, which were used
01:29:46.795 --> 01:29:48.764
Between the end of the war and the constitutional
01:29:48.764 --> 01:29:52.634
Convention, had no power to tax.
01:29:52.634 --> 01:29:55.771
They had no power to demand
01:29:55.771 --> 01:29:57.940
Anything of any other state, of any other colony.
01:29:57.940 --> 01:30:02.044
They knew they had to put some teeth
01:30:02.044 --> 01:30:04.346
Into the articles, and they all agreed
01:30:04.346 --> 01:30:07.983
That that was what they were trying to accomplish.
01:30:07.983 --> 01:30:10.953
Male: i trust you had a pleasant journey here.
01:30:10.953 --> 01:30:12.621
Akhil: virginians arrive pretty early,
01:30:12.621 --> 01:30:15.224
Before many other delegations arrive.
01:30:15.224 --> 01:30:18.627
They begin to meet together, but kind of informally,
01:30:18.627 --> 01:30:21.864
And ben franklin is the host,
01:30:21.864 --> 01:30:23.599
And he's a gracious host.
01:30:23.599 --> 01:30:25.767
Male: dr. franklin.
01:30:25.767 --> 01:30:27.102
Benjamin franklin: yes, sir.
01:30:27.102 --> 01:30:28.704
Male: on behalf of our entire delegation, who
01:30:28.704 --> 01:30:31.740
Have traveled quite far from the commonwealth
01:30:31.740 --> 01:30:33.942
Of virginia, we thank you for graciously
01:30:33.942 --> 01:30:36.912
Opening your home.
01:30:36.912 --> 01:30:38.247
Male: and your madeira wine!
01:30:38.247 --> 01:30:39.615
All: hear, hear.
01:30:39.615 --> 01:30:40.949
Benjamin: you're welcome, gentlemen.
01:30:40.949 --> 01:30:42.317
Welcome to philadelphia, and enjoy the wine.
01:30:42.317 --> 01:30:45.721
Male: it's our pleasure to be here.
01:30:45.721 --> 01:30:47.856
Benjamin: i'm sure you're tired,
01:30:47.856 --> 01:30:49.224
And i hope this makes the trip even
01:30:49.224 --> 01:30:51.059
That much more pleasant for you.
01:30:51.059 --> 01:30:53.095
Male: thank you, sir.
01:30:53.095 --> 01:30:54.429
Male: yes, sir.
01:30:54.429 --> 01:30:55.797
Male: now, if i might offer a topic
01:30:55.797 --> 01:30:57.132
For discussion tonight, i'd like for you
01:30:57.132 --> 01:30:59.001
To take a look at these 15 resolves,
01:30:59.001 --> 01:31:01.637
As outlined by mr. james madison in a bold new
01:31:01.637 --> 01:31:04.940
Envisioning of what our federal government
01:31:04.940 --> 01:31:06.942
Might look like as we move forward.
01:31:06.942 --> 01:31:10.112
Now, we all agree that our articles
01:31:10.112 --> 01:31:12.981
Of confederation have proven wholly
01:31:12.981 --> 01:31:14.983
Incapable of moving our nation forward
01:31:14.983 --> 01:31:16.818
On the world stage.
01:31:16.818 --> 01:31:18.153
Male: hear, hear!
01:31:18.153 --> 01:31:19.521
Male: or any stage, for that matter.
01:31:19.521 --> 01:31:22.191
Mr. madison has given thought to a much more
01:31:22.191 --> 01:31:25.561
Forward-thinking, i'd say better-thinking,
01:31:25.561 --> 01:31:29.865
Form for our government.
01:31:29.865 --> 01:31:31.900
Don't you agree?
01:31:31.900 --> 01:31:34.203
Now, take a look at this, read it carefully,
01:31:34.203 --> 01:31:37.272
See what you think.
01:31:37.272 --> 01:31:45.547
George: if our union is to hold together,
01:31:45.547 --> 01:31:48.717
Something must be done.
01:31:48.717 --> 01:31:52.054
Martha washington: how long this time?
01:31:52.054 --> 01:31:53.388
George: oh, my dear.
01:31:53.388 --> 01:31:57.392
No more than duty demands, and not a minute longer.
01:31:57.392 --> 01:32:03.031
Martha: make it worth it.
01:32:03.031 --> 01:32:05.100
Make it worth the lives and the blood,
01:32:05.100 --> 01:32:09.771
For the children, and our
01:32:09.771 --> 01:32:12.541
Grandchildren's grandchildren.
01:32:12.541 --> 01:32:16.311
Make it strong.
01:32:16.311 --> 01:32:19.181
George: yes.
01:32:19.181 --> 01:32:23.518
Akhil: washington comes
01:32:23.518 --> 01:32:24.853
From virginia, and now everyone knows
01:32:24.853 --> 01:32:26.521
This is serious.
01:32:26.521 --> 01:32:27.856
He comes out of retirement, and if he's willing to come
01:32:27.856 --> 01:32:29.324
Out of retirement, every other state
01:32:29.324 --> 01:32:31.260
Sends their best people, because george
01:32:31.260 --> 01:32:33.495
Washington's gonna be there.
01:32:33.495 --> 01:32:34.997
Ben franklin is gonna be there.
01:32:34.997 --> 01:32:36.932
Michael: the windows to the pennsylvania
01:32:40.636 --> 01:32:43.105
State house were shuttered and curtained,
01:32:43.105 --> 01:32:46.341
And the delegates pledged to total secrecy
01:32:46.341 --> 01:32:49.811
When they gathered late in may of 1787.
01:32:49.811 --> 01:32:53.282
Edmund randolph, the governor of virginia,
01:32:56.685 --> 01:32:59.054
Presented madison's virginia plan,
01:32:59.054 --> 01:33:01.623
And for the next 40 days, the 15 elements
01:33:01.623 --> 01:33:04.793
Of the virginia plan provided the blueprint
01:33:04.793 --> 01:33:07.963
For their daily deliberations.
01:33:07.963 --> 01:33:10.732
Stephen: there's a controversy that develops.
01:33:10.732 --> 01:33:13.068
On the one hand, there are the small states.
01:33:13.068 --> 01:33:15.904
On the other hand, there are the big states,
01:33:15.904 --> 01:33:17.339
With larger populations.
01:33:17.339 --> 01:33:19.474
In madison's constitution, he has two legislative
01:33:19.474 --> 01:33:22.477
Bodies, not just one, each body based on population.
01:33:22.477 --> 01:33:26.715
Now the small states are concerned
01:33:26.715 --> 01:33:28.050
Because they think that if representation
01:33:28.050 --> 01:33:29.584
Is solely assigned by population,
01:33:29.584 --> 01:33:33.155
That they won't be adequately represented,
01:33:33.155 --> 01:33:35.157
So they don't want to go along with the constitution,
01:33:35.157 --> 01:33:37.426
And tempers start to get frayed.
01:33:37.426 --> 01:33:39.594
It looks as if the convention may unravel
01:33:39.594 --> 01:33:42.998
Without actually forming a union.
01:33:42.998 --> 01:33:46.468
Male: mr. luther martin, maryland.
01:33:46.468 --> 01:33:49.171
Luther martin: i dare virginia, pennsylvania, and
01:33:49.171 --> 01:33:51.773
Massachusetts to form your own confederation.
01:33:51.773 --> 01:33:54.743
[crowd booing]
01:33:54.743 --> 01:33:58.914
Luther: and the rest of us,
01:33:58.914 --> 01:34:00.549
We'll form a rival association on a more
01:34:00.549 --> 01:34:04.052
Worthy basis.
01:34:04.052 --> 01:34:06.955
[crowd murmuring]
01:34:06.955 --> 01:34:09.758
Michael: the big states naturally
01:34:09.758 --> 01:34:11.793
Favored proportional representation, but
01:34:11.793 --> 01:34:14.396
The small states, of course, disagreed.
01:34:14.396 --> 01:34:17.032
Their sovereignty as states was being
01:34:17.032 --> 01:34:20.001
Threatened, and they pledged to walk out
01:34:20.001 --> 01:34:23.872
If their voices weren't heard, voices like
01:34:23.872 --> 01:34:27.409
That of william paterson of new jersey.
01:34:27.409 --> 01:34:32.047
Male: mr. paterson, new jersey.
01:34:32.047 --> 01:34:35.851
William paterson: we are met here
01:34:35.851 --> 01:34:37.185
As the deputies of 13 independent,
01:34:37.185 --> 01:34:40.455
Sovereign states.
01:34:40.455 --> 01:34:44.459
Can we annihilate the sovereignties
01:34:44.459 --> 01:34:45.961
Of our states who have sent us here
01:34:45.961 --> 01:34:48.029
For other purposes?
01:34:48.029 --> 01:34:49.598
Male: no.
01:34:49.598 --> 01:34:51.299
William paterson: the people of america are
01:34:51.299 --> 01:34:53.635
Sharp-sighted, and not to be deceived.
01:34:53.635 --> 01:34:58.240
Crowd: hear, hear.
01:34:58.240 --> 01:35:02.310
Stephen: i used to tell my students,
01:35:02.310 --> 01:35:03.678
The twin pillars of constitutional
01:35:03.678 --> 01:35:05.013
Thought are, first, the notion of human
01:35:05.013 --> 01:35:08.750
Dignity, that humans have an intrinsic dignity
01:35:08.750 --> 01:35:12.387
From which our rights are derived,
01:35:12.387 --> 01:35:14.589
That we are granted dignity in virtue of having
01:35:14.589 --> 01:35:17.759
Been created by god, and because that dignity
01:35:17.759 --> 01:35:20.629
Is a god-given gift and the rights
01:35:20.629 --> 01:35:23.865
That flow from it are also god-given,
01:35:23.865 --> 01:35:27.102
The state cannot take those rights away.
01:35:27.102 --> 01:35:30.071
The other key pillar of constitutional
01:35:30.071 --> 01:35:32.674
Thought is the idea of human depravity, that humans
01:35:32.674 --> 01:35:35.677
Are capable of great evil against their fellow men
01:35:35.677 --> 01:35:40.248
And women.
01:35:40.248 --> 01:35:41.583
And so, we have dignity, but we're very much
01:35:41.583 --> 01:35:45.921
Capable of not respecting the dignity of others.
01:35:45.921 --> 01:35:49.291
Male: all in favor say "aye."
01:35:49.291 --> 01:35:52.561
Male: aye!
01:35:52.561 --> 01:35:53.895
Male: all opposed.
01:35:53.895 --> 01:35:55.230
Male: nay.
01:35:55.230 --> 01:35:57.332
Richard: the constitution was important
01:35:57.332 --> 01:36:00.535
Because it made it clear that there had
01:36:00.535 --> 01:36:04.573
To be a strong central government,
01:36:04.573 --> 01:36:08.210
And the articles were the opposite.
01:36:08.210 --> 01:36:13.048
The delegates from new york, the delegates from
01:36:13.048 --> 01:36:15.717
Other states, all were told, "if you come back
01:36:15.717 --> 01:36:20.355
With a strong central government,
01:36:20.355 --> 01:36:21.723
We'll hang you."
01:36:21.723 --> 01:36:24.025
So there was a lot of resistance.
01:36:24.025 --> 01:36:28.396
But madison, apparently, was one of the most persuasive.
01:36:28.396 --> 01:36:34.102
Stephen: he says, "the key issue
01:36:34.102 --> 01:36:35.670
Is this: if we give too much power
01:36:35.670 --> 01:36:37.572
To the government, it will result in tyranny
01:36:37.572 --> 01:36:41.209
And the abridgment of all the rights
01:36:41.209 --> 01:36:43.612
Of the citizens.
01:36:43.612 --> 01:36:44.980
But if we don't give government enough power,
01:36:44.980 --> 01:36:47.148
Then the intrinsic depravity of the citizenry
01:36:47.148 --> 01:36:49.751
Will run wild and we'll have rebellions
01:36:49.751 --> 01:36:51.520
And lawlessness and so forth.
01:36:51.520 --> 01:36:53.221
So we've got to get the balance right."
01:36:53.221 --> 01:36:55.056
Madison then reflects on all this,
01:36:55.056 --> 01:36:57.526
And the way he attempts to get the balance right is
01:36:57.526 --> 01:37:00.095
With the checks and balances,
01:37:00.095 --> 01:37:01.496
With the separation of powers.
01:37:01.496 --> 01:37:04.966
Michael: james wilson of pennsylvania spoke
01:37:04.966 --> 01:37:07.569
For the larger states.
01:37:07.569 --> 01:37:10.205
Male: james wilson of pennsylvania.
01:37:10.205 --> 01:37:14.509
James wilson: can we forget to whom we're forming
01:37:14.509 --> 01:37:16.545
A government?
01:37:16.545 --> 01:37:18.246
Are not the citizens of pennsylvania equal
01:37:18.246 --> 01:37:21.783
To those of new jersey?
01:37:21.783 --> 01:37:24.653
Will it require 150 of the former
01:37:24.653 --> 01:37:27.689
To balance 50 of the latter?
01:37:27.689 --> 01:37:30.859
Why should a national government be unpopular?
01:37:30.859 --> 01:37:34.496
Shall a citizen of delaware be degraded
01:37:34.496 --> 01:37:37.566
By becoming a citizen of the united states?
01:37:37.566 --> 01:37:39.701
Crowd: hear, hear.
01:37:39.701 --> 01:37:43.972
[others grumble]
01:37:43.972 --> 01:37:47.142
Male: mr. gunning bedford, delaware.
01:37:50.979 --> 01:37:55.584
Gunning bedford: will you crush the smaller states?
01:37:55.584 --> 01:37:59.187
Oh, they say they will never hurt
01:37:59.187 --> 01:38:02.457
Or injure the lesser states.
01:38:02.457 --> 01:38:06.428
I do not, gentlemen, trust you.
01:38:06.428 --> 01:38:11.132
Were we, the smaller states, to form our own
01:38:11.132 --> 01:38:14.369
Confederation, the fault will be yours,
01:38:14.369 --> 01:38:19.975
And all the nations of the earth will justify us.
01:38:19.975 --> 01:38:24.746
The larger states would not dare dissolve
01:38:24.746 --> 01:38:28.049
Our confederation, and if they tried,
01:38:28.049 --> 01:38:32.354
We would find some foreign
01:38:32.354 --> 01:38:34.122
Ally of more honor and good faith to take them
01:38:34.122 --> 01:38:40.662
By the hand and do them justice!
01:38:40.662 --> 01:38:45.066
[crowd assenting, complaining]
01:38:45.066 --> 01:38:50.438
Michael: even george washington was discouraged
01:38:50.438 --> 01:38:52.941
At this point in the convention.
01:38:52.941 --> 01:38:55.777
He wrote to his friend alexander hamilton,
01:38:55.777 --> 01:38:59.147
Who had temporarily returned to new york.
01:38:59.147 --> 01:39:04.219
George: i almost despair of seeing
01:39:04.219 --> 01:39:06.254
A favorable issue to the proceedings
01:39:06.254 --> 01:39:08.256
Of this convention, and do therefore repent,
01:39:08.256 --> 01:39:13.528
Having had any agency in the business.
01:39:13.528 --> 01:39:18.800
Paul: so many of the founding fathers
01:39:22.604 --> 01:39:23.938
Owned slaves, but were against it
01:39:23.938 --> 01:39:27.208
At the same time.
01:39:27.208 --> 01:39:28.576
George washington said in an april 12, 1786 letter
01:39:28.576 --> 01:39:31.680
To robert morris, he said of slavery,
01:39:31.680 --> 01:39:34.049
Quote, "there is not a man living
01:39:34.049 --> 01:39:37.185
Who wishes more sincerely than i do
01:39:37.185 --> 01:39:40.155
To see a plan adopted for the abolition of it."
01:39:40.155 --> 01:39:44.859
Akhil: as soon as the american
01:39:44.859 --> 01:39:46.728
Revolution breaks out, the declaration of independence
01:39:46.728 --> 01:39:48.730
Adopted, immediately the northern states
01:39:48.730 --> 01:39:52.734
Start ending slavery, state by state by state,
01:39:52.734 --> 01:39:56.071
And the southern states do not follow suit.
01:39:56.071 --> 01:39:59.741
Fred kaplan: so the word "slave" and the word
01:39:59.741 --> 01:40:01.943
"slavery" never appear once in the constitution,
01:40:01.943 --> 01:40:06.815
Because otherwise, the southern delegates
01:40:06.815 --> 01:40:10.018
Are walking out.
01:40:10.018 --> 01:40:11.786
Akhil: the most important thing
01:40:11.786 --> 01:40:14.122
Is you gotta get all the states on board.
01:40:14.122 --> 01:40:17.092
If a state is on its own, it would have the ability
01:40:17.092 --> 01:40:21.196
To make a treaty with some foreign power,
01:40:21.196 --> 01:40:25.066
And now you're gonna have foreign mercenaries
01:40:25.066 --> 01:40:28.103
On american soil threatening the other states.
01:40:28.103 --> 01:40:31.306
So south carolina and massachusetts have
01:40:31.306 --> 01:40:34.509
To both be on board, and everyone in between,
01:40:34.509 --> 01:40:37.212
To create a united, geographically contiguous block.
01:40:37.212 --> 01:40:41.649
And in order for that to happen, oh,
01:40:41.649 --> 01:40:45.153
You're gonna have to accommodate
01:40:45.153 --> 01:40:46.621
The south carolinians on the subject of slavery.
01:40:46.621 --> 01:40:56.531
Male: another day of impasse.
01:41:00.201 --> 01:41:04.272
Why not push the vote?
01:41:04.272 --> 01:41:05.907
We have eight states for manumission.
01:41:05.907 --> 01:41:08.543
George: we will lose the others,
01:41:08.543 --> 01:41:11.146
Fracture the country.
01:41:11.146 --> 01:41:13.381
Can we now survive without georgia,
01:41:13.381 --> 01:41:16.484
Without south carolina, north carolina, maryland?
01:41:16.484 --> 01:41:21.723
Connecticut has promoted this compromise.
01:41:21.723 --> 01:41:25.426
They will vote against us.
01:41:25.426 --> 01:41:28.830
Where will they turn next?
01:41:28.830 --> 01:41:31.533
Spain, france, back to england?
01:41:31.533 --> 01:41:37.906
No, we are, as of yet, too fragile.
01:41:37.906 --> 01:41:43.511
Male: but this compromise.
01:41:43.511 --> 01:41:45.914
Should our government divide souls?
01:41:45.914 --> 01:41:48.516
Three-fifths of a slave for taxes and
01:41:48.516 --> 01:41:51.019
Additional representatives.
01:41:51.019 --> 01:41:52.353
Benjamin: additional representatives whose
01:41:52.353 --> 01:41:54.689
Constituents are the strained
01:41:54.689 --> 01:41:56.758
Backs of the enslaved.
01:41:56.758 --> 01:41:59.627
Yet those representatives will vote to perpetuate
01:41:59.627 --> 01:42:03.398
The abomination of slavery, 20 years before we
01:42:03.398 --> 01:42:10.171
Can intervene.
01:42:10.171 --> 01:42:13.241
George: we cannot abolish
01:42:13.241 --> 01:42:14.576
That abomination without a country.
01:42:14.576 --> 01:42:17.478
If we press the issue now, the slave states will
01:42:17.478 --> 01:42:20.582
Just fracture the federation.
01:42:20.582 --> 01:42:22.884
Slavery will continue in a divided america.
01:42:22.884 --> 01:42:28.356
But if we accept the compromise,
01:42:28.356 --> 01:42:32.026
We build one nation.
01:42:32.026 --> 01:42:37.198
A single nation, a great nation,
01:42:37.198 --> 01:42:42.036
Can work towards abolition.
01:42:42.036 --> 01:42:44.839
♪♪♪
01:42:44.839 --> 01:42:54.115
Akhil: a lot of people misunderstand what
01:42:54.115 --> 01:42:56.651
The three-fifths clause is all about.
01:42:56.651 --> 01:42:59.587
I was once one of them.
01:42:59.587 --> 01:43:00.989
I remember as a student, i said, "oh,
01:43:00.989 --> 01:43:04.592
This is a horrible clause.
01:43:04.592 --> 01:43:05.960
You're treating slaves as three-fifths of a person,
01:43:05.960 --> 01:43:09.530
And everyone should count equally."
01:43:09.530 --> 01:43:12.500
No, no, because no matter what, slaves are never
01:43:12.500 --> 01:43:16.604
Gonna be voting.
01:43:16.604 --> 01:43:18.206
That's not the issue.
01:43:18.206 --> 01:43:19.741
The three-fifths clause is not about how
01:43:19.741 --> 01:43:22.076
Much we value slaves as human beings.
01:43:22.076 --> 01:43:26.047
It's about how much extra voting power
01:43:26.047 --> 01:43:31.152
The white slaveholding regime in slave states is going
01:43:31.152 --> 01:43:37.425
To enjoy because of the existence
01:43:37.425 --> 01:43:39.627
Of slavery.
01:43:39.627 --> 01:43:41.562
In that debate, the south wanted
01:43:41.562 --> 01:43:43.064
That number high, and the north wanted
01:43:43.064 --> 01:43:45.733
That number low, and if you're anti-slavery,
01:43:45.733 --> 01:43:48.903
The answer should be 0.
01:43:48.903 --> 01:43:51.806
Joseph: slavery is the one issue
01:43:51.806 --> 01:43:54.242
That everybody knows will destroy the convention,
01:43:54.242 --> 01:43:58.446
And make any kind of constitution impossible.
01:43:58.446 --> 01:44:02.450
Michael: benjamin franklin attended
01:44:02.450 --> 01:44:04.352
The proceedings nearly every day,
01:44:04.352 --> 01:44:07.388
But he rarely spoke.
01:44:07.388 --> 01:44:09.490
But at this critical juncture, late in the day
01:44:09.490 --> 01:44:12.260
On june the 28th, he rose.
01:44:12.260 --> 01:44:15.129
The delegates quieted down to give
01:44:15.129 --> 01:44:17.999
Their full attention to their assembly's
01:44:17.999 --> 01:44:21.769
Most venerable figure.
01:44:21.769 --> 01:44:24.305
Male: dr. franklin of pennsylvania.
01:44:24.305 --> 01:44:29.210
Benjamin: in this situation,
01:44:29.210 --> 01:44:31.913
At this assembly, groping, as it were, in the dark
01:44:31.913 --> 01:44:36.317
To find political truth, and scarce able
01:44:36.317 --> 01:44:39.988
To distinguish it when presented to us,
01:44:39.988 --> 01:44:43.791
How has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto
01:44:43.791 --> 01:44:47.028
Once humbly applied to the father of light
01:44:47.028 --> 01:44:52.266
To illuminate our conversation?
01:44:52.266 --> 01:44:55.636
In the beginning of this conflict
01:44:55.636 --> 01:44:57.905
With great britain, when we were
01:44:57.905 --> 01:45:00.808
Sensible of danger, we had daily prayer
01:45:00.808 --> 01:45:05.380
In this room for divine protection.
01:45:05.380 --> 01:45:11.853
Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they
01:45:11.853 --> 01:45:15.990
Were graciously answered.
01:45:15.990 --> 01:45:18.459
All of us who were engaged in the struggle must
01:45:21.429 --> 01:45:24.966
Have observed frequent instances of a superintending
01:45:24.966 --> 01:45:29.003
Providence in our favor.
01:45:29.003 --> 01:45:30.905
And have we now forgotten that powerful friend?
01:45:34.375 --> 01:45:37.578
I have lived for a long time,
01:45:40.815 --> 01:45:45.420
And the longer i live, the more convincing
01:45:45.420 --> 01:45:49.724
Proofs i see of this truth, that god governs
01:45:49.724 --> 01:45:55.430
In the affairs of men.
01:45:55.430 --> 01:45:59.567
And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground
01:45:59.567 --> 01:46:03.905
Without his notice, is it probable
01:46:03.905 --> 01:46:07.542
That an empire can rise without his aid?
01:46:07.542 --> 01:46:13.748
We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings,
01:46:13.748 --> 01:46:19.053
That except the lord build the house,
01:46:19.053 --> 01:46:23.024
They labor in vain that build it.
01:46:23.024 --> 01:46:27.528
I firmly believe this, and i also believe
01:46:27.528 --> 01:46:32.133
That without his concurring aid,
01:46:32.133 --> 01:46:34.235
We shall succeed in this political
01:46:34.235 --> 01:46:36.304
Battle no better than the builders of babel.
01:46:36.304 --> 01:46:42.510
I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth,
01:46:42.510 --> 01:46:48.583
Prayers imploring the assistance of heaven
01:46:48.583 --> 01:46:53.221
And its blessings on our deliberations
01:46:53.221 --> 01:46:57.825
Be held every morning in this room
01:46:57.825 --> 01:47:03.331
Before we proceed to business.
01:47:03.331 --> 01:47:08.803
Crowd: hear, hear.
01:47:12.273 --> 01:47:16.043
Robert: benjamin franklin was among
01:47:19.847 --> 01:47:22.283
The least actively religious of the
01:47:22.283 --> 01:47:25.153
American founders.
01:47:25.153 --> 01:47:26.521
Paul: that must have just been a [gasps]
01:47:26.521 --> 01:47:28.189
Moment for everybody in that room to think,
01:47:28.189 --> 01:47:30.992
"wow, franklin said that.
01:47:30.992 --> 01:47:32.793
Franklin said that."
01:47:32.793 --> 01:47:34.929
Robert: now, skeptics or cynics might say,
01:47:34.929 --> 01:47:39.400
"well, franklin there was simply being
01:47:39.400 --> 01:47:41.969
A good psychologist.
01:47:41.969 --> 01:47:43.671
He wasn't really thinking god might
01:47:43.671 --> 01:47:45.740
Help here, but he was thinking,
01:47:45.740 --> 01:47:47.742
'we can move people toward cooperation
01:47:47.742 --> 01:47:50.444
And move them from this impasse
01:47:50.444 --> 01:47:52.947
If we can get them into a kind of
01:47:52.947 --> 01:47:54.749
Religious spirit.'"
01:47:54.749 --> 01:47:57.285
I don't believe it, though.
01:47:57.285 --> 01:47:59.453
In his personal memoir, which he did not imagine
01:47:59.453 --> 01:48:03.457
Would be read by the general public
01:48:03.457 --> 01:48:05.493
But thought would basically be for
01:48:05.493 --> 01:48:07.061
His children and his descendants,
01:48:07.061 --> 01:48:10.064
He talked about his own belief
01:48:10.064 --> 01:48:12.166
In the importance of prayer and the power of prayer,
01:48:12.166 --> 01:48:15.336
That prayer made a difference.
01:48:15.336 --> 01:48:16.904
And this shows that he did believe in a god
01:48:16.904 --> 01:48:18.739
Who really did care about human affairs,
01:48:18.739 --> 01:48:20.608
And could and did intervene in human affairs.
01:48:20.608 --> 01:48:23.411
He believed in providence.
01:48:23.411 --> 01:48:25.580
Stephen: as a result of the franklin speech,
01:48:25.580 --> 01:48:27.748
The whole atmosphere in the constitutional
01:48:27.748 --> 01:48:29.817
Convention changes.
01:48:29.817 --> 01:48:31.452
Attitudes soften.
01:48:31.452 --> 01:48:32.920
They form a committee of five to explore a compromise.
01:48:32.920 --> 01:48:36.724
The sherman compromise, which had been on the table
01:48:36.724 --> 01:48:38.859
From the beginning, is suddenly seen
01:48:38.859 --> 01:48:40.928
As sweet reason.
01:48:40.928 --> 01:48:42.530
We have one house, one of the two bodies
01:48:42.530 --> 01:48:45.266
In the legislature will be apportioned
01:48:45.266 --> 01:48:47.602
By population, and the other will be
01:48:47.602 --> 01:48:51.239
Given two senators for each state.
01:48:51.239 --> 01:48:54.442
Michael: on the decisive monday morning
01:48:54.442 --> 01:48:57.044
On which the state delegations finally
01:48:57.044 --> 01:48:59.981
Faced the single most contentious issue
01:48:59.981 --> 01:49:02.984
Of the convention, suddenly at center
01:49:02.984 --> 01:49:06.787
Stage enters a delegate from maryland, a man
01:49:06.787 --> 01:49:11.292
By the unusual name of daniel of st.
01:49:11.292 --> 01:49:15.296
Thomas jenifer.
01:49:15.296 --> 01:49:17.531
He believed in representation based
01:49:17.531 --> 01:49:20.568
On population and supported a powerful
01:49:20.568 --> 01:49:24.338
Central government.
01:49:24.338 --> 01:49:26.540
In this, he disagreed respectfully with
01:49:26.540 --> 01:49:30.011
His fellow marylander, the obstreperous luther martin.
01:49:30.011 --> 01:49:35.650
Jenifer inexplicably got up from his chair,
01:49:35.650 --> 01:49:39.020
Ambled out of the state house, and wandered off
01:49:39.020 --> 01:49:42.857
Onto the city streets.
01:49:42.857 --> 01:49:45.059
He absented himself from history,
01:49:45.059 --> 01:49:48.095
Just long enough for luther martin alone
01:49:48.095 --> 01:49:51.932
To control maryland's vote on equal representation
01:49:51.932 --> 01:49:55.936
For every state.
01:49:55.936 --> 01:49:58.139
Jenifer deliberately threw the result
01:49:58.139 --> 01:50:01.642
And ensured the defeat of his own faction
01:50:01.642 --> 01:50:05.112
In order to deliver a larger victory
01:50:05.112 --> 01:50:07.615
For his country.
01:50:07.615 --> 01:50:08.983
Stephen: small states are happy,
01:50:08.983 --> 01:50:10.318
Because they have equal representation
01:50:10.318 --> 01:50:11.686
In the upper house, the senate.
01:50:11.686 --> 01:50:13.521
The large states are happy because they get
01:50:13.521 --> 01:50:15.556
Proportional representation in the lower house.
01:50:15.556 --> 01:50:17.925
A compromise is struck.
01:50:17.925 --> 01:50:19.560
Male: they created a separation of powers,
01:50:19.560 --> 01:50:21.662
Creating three separate branches
01:50:21.662 --> 01:50:23.864
Of government that were independent
01:50:23.864 --> 01:50:25.433
From each other.
01:50:25.433 --> 01:50:26.801
These men reflected on human nature very,
01:50:26.801 --> 01:50:29.203
Very deeply.
01:50:29.203 --> 01:50:30.604
They knew about the deep faults
01:50:30.604 --> 01:50:31.939
And deep flaws of human nature, and
01:50:31.939 --> 01:50:34.575
So they constructed a new form of republican
01:50:34.575 --> 01:50:37.478
Government, in the constitution,
01:50:37.478 --> 01:50:40.915
That would survive, that would endure,
01:50:40.915 --> 01:50:44.952
Because it took human nature seriously
01:50:44.952 --> 01:50:46.921
And understood human nature well.
01:50:46.921 --> 01:50:49.490
Male: so we are adjourned.
01:50:49.490 --> 01:50:51.325
Male: by understanding the importance of giving
01:50:51.325 --> 01:50:53.728
Nobody, no individual, no one institution
01:50:53.728 --> 01:50:57.898
Unlimited power, all power would be checked.
01:50:57.898 --> 01:51:02.570
♪♪♪
01:51:02.570 --> 01:51:18.252
Robert: the american founders were
01:51:12.580 --> 01:51:20.721
An extraordinary group of men, there, together
01:51:20.721 --> 01:51:24.492
In one place, as if the hand of providence
01:51:24.492 --> 01:51:28.829
Had made it so.
01:51:28.829 --> 01:51:30.598
Every single one of those individuals
01:51:30.598 --> 01:51:32.433
Was a person of remarkable gifts, who brought
01:51:32.433 --> 01:51:35.202
Those gifts to bear in the american revolution
01:51:35.202 --> 01:51:38.472
And the establishment of the constitution.
01:51:38.472 --> 01:51:40.508
♪♪♪
01:51:40.508 --> 01:51:45.613
Robert: the constitution constitutes us as a people.
01:51:45.613 --> 01:51:49.517
It's the source of our unity.
01:51:49.517 --> 01:51:52.019
♪♪♪
01:51:52.019 --> 01:52:02.830
Robert: we, unlike most other nations in the world,
01:51:57.024 --> 01:52:06.767
Find our national unity not in common
01:52:06.767 --> 01:52:10.905
Bonds of blood or soil, or throne and altar,
01:52:10.905 --> 01:52:16.410
Because we can't find our unity there.
01:52:16.410 --> 01:52:20.047
It's been a shared commitment to the principles of liberty
01:52:20.047 --> 01:52:24.185
And justice, enunciated in the declaration
01:52:24.185 --> 01:52:27.021
Of independence and effectuated
01:52:27.021 --> 01:52:29.657
By the constitution of the united states.
01:52:29.657 --> 01:52:33.327
They are what unify us.
01:52:33.327 --> 01:52:37.698
Michael: later that year, from his diplomatic post
01:52:37.698 --> 01:52:40.334
Where he represented his country
01:52:40.334 --> 01:52:42.069
In the court of the french king, thomas jefferson hailed
01:52:42.069 --> 01:52:46.240
The philadelphia convention as "an
01:52:46.240 --> 01:52:49.009
Assembly of demigods," and in a letter to adams,
01:52:49.009 --> 01:52:53.681
Jefferson expressed "no doubt
01:52:53.681 --> 01:52:55.916
That all its measures will be good and wise."
01:52:55.916 --> 01:53:01.288
Thomas jefferson: finally.
01:53:01.288 --> 01:53:02.656
Michael: but he had no knowledge of the bruising
01:53:02.656 --> 01:53:05.059
Battles and the occasional blunders
01:53:05.059 --> 01:53:07.328
That the demigods endured in their top secret proceedings.
01:53:07.328 --> 01:53:11.699
He could only marvel at the final result,
01:53:11.699 --> 01:53:15.469
As a charter he said was "unquestionably
01:53:15.469 --> 01:53:19.840
The wisest ever yet presented to men."
01:53:19.840 --> 01:53:24.623
♪♪♪
01:53:26.678 --> 01:53:34.052
[gunshot]
01:53:34.052 --> 01:53:36.388
Michael: an isolated instance of fortunate
01:53:36.388 --> 01:53:39.691
Coincidence or eerie congruence may count
01:53:39.691 --> 01:53:43.862
As an anomaly.
01:53:43.862 --> 01:53:46.465
But a long chain of seemingly haphazard but
01:53:46.465 --> 01:53:50.769
Consistently beneficial occurrences suggests
01:53:50.769 --> 01:53:54.506
Something else entirely: a pattern, or more accurately,
01:53:54.506 --> 01:53:59.778
A design.
01:53:59.778 --> 01:54:01.179
Jana: what if, at any point
01:54:01.179 --> 01:54:03.282
During the revolution, any of these amazing
01:54:03.282 --> 01:54:05.350
Intercessions by providence hadn't happened?
01:54:05.350 --> 01:54:07.619
The fog hadn't rolled in, we hadn't been able
01:54:07.619 --> 01:54:10.222
To get the cannons in place to be able to fight
01:54:10.222 --> 01:54:12.391
Off the british?
01:54:12.391 --> 01:54:13.859
At any time, a million things could
01:54:13.859 --> 01:54:16.261
Have gone wrong.
01:54:16.261 --> 01:54:17.596
William howe: washington!
01:54:17.596 --> 01:54:18.964
Jana: and america could have lost the war
01:54:18.964 --> 01:54:20.632
For independence.
01:54:20.632 --> 01:54:22.467
What then?
01:54:22.467 --> 01:54:23.835
Paul: when you consider the events of the 20th
01:54:23.835 --> 01:54:25.170
Century alone, i mean,
01:54:25.170 --> 01:54:27.005
Imagine what the world would look like
01:54:27.005 --> 01:54:28.974
If you didn't have the united states of america.
01:54:28.974 --> 01:54:32.578
Not only was america playing a decisive role
01:54:32.578 --> 01:54:34.680
In defeating these countries in wars, or a cold war,
01:54:34.680 --> 01:54:37.649
Or whatever it was, and the way they responded,
01:54:37.649 --> 01:54:39.718
Look at ellis island.
01:54:39.718 --> 01:54:42.321
Ellis island provides a place for
01:54:42.321 --> 01:54:45.123
All the immigrants in all those countries
01:54:45.123 --> 01:54:47.259
To flee from those countries,
01:54:47.259 --> 01:54:49.328
Those oppressors, so this gives people
01:54:49.328 --> 01:54:51.964
A safe haven to come to.
01:54:51.964 --> 01:54:54.566
This country clearly had a special
01:54:54.566 --> 01:54:56.868
Providential purpose.
01:54:56.868 --> 01:54:58.770
Richard: america is something that i hold
01:54:58.770 --> 01:55:03.809
In my heart, and i'm not sorry about it.
01:55:03.809 --> 01:55:09.748
I want everyone to feel that way.
01:55:09.748 --> 01:55:12.784
But i think that we reached a point
01:55:12.784 --> 01:55:15.887
Where there's not one institution
01:55:15.887 --> 01:55:17.623
In this country that you can trust.
01:55:17.623 --> 01:55:20.092
You can't trust the press.
01:55:20.092 --> 01:55:22.127
You can't trust the judiciary.
01:55:22.127 --> 01:55:25.197
You can't trust education.
01:55:25.197 --> 01:55:29.768
You can't trust politics.
01:55:29.768 --> 01:55:33.205
You can't trust journalism.
01:55:33.205 --> 01:55:36.608
Now, did i just say anything that you
01:55:36.608 --> 01:55:41.046
Would argue with?
01:55:41.046 --> 01:55:42.814
I don't think i did.
01:55:42.814 --> 01:55:44.750
I think you know.
01:55:44.750 --> 01:55:47.252
That's how far we have fallen, how bad it is.
01:55:47.252 --> 01:55:52.024
And if we don't do something
01:55:52.024 --> 01:55:56.128
That arouses a feeling of protection,
01:55:56.128 --> 01:56:00.832
And love of country, and the values that we loved,
01:56:00.832 --> 01:56:06.338
Supposedly, in every heart, in every family,
01:56:06.338 --> 01:56:11.043
If we don't get that back, this country will
01:56:11.043 --> 01:56:15.681
Not be anything like america.
01:56:15.681 --> 01:56:20.085
Stephen: i think there's a warning
01:56:20.085 --> 01:56:21.453
For our time from the great russian
01:56:21.453 --> 01:56:22.788
Dissident alexander solzhenitsyn.
01:56:22.788 --> 01:56:25.090
In 1983 he gave a famous speech,
01:56:25.090 --> 01:56:27.159
His "men have forgotten god" speech,
01:56:27.159 --> 01:56:29.061
About the fall of russia to the bolsheviks in 1917.
01:56:29.061 --> 01:56:33.899
He recounts how the old people were weeping
01:56:33.899 --> 01:56:35.534
In the fields, and how some of them
01:56:35.534 --> 01:56:36.935
Told him that these great disasters
01:56:36.935 --> 01:56:39.438
Have befallen russia because men have forgotten god.
01:56:39.438 --> 01:56:43.375
And i think there is, in that story,
01:56:43.375 --> 01:56:45.944
And even in the story of our founding,
01:56:45.944 --> 01:56:48.046
A warning for us today.
01:56:48.046 --> 01:56:50.482
Though the founders were of a variety of different
01:56:50.482 --> 01:56:52.918
Religious perspectives, they were very concerned
01:56:52.918 --> 01:56:56.188
To give honor to god and to express
01:56:56.188 --> 01:56:58.990
The god-given rights and liberties
01:56:58.990 --> 01:57:01.526
In our founding documents.
01:57:01.526 --> 01:57:03.195
And i think the warning is that if we forget god,
01:57:03.195 --> 01:57:05.363
If we forget that theistic perspective,
01:57:05.363 --> 01:57:07.799
If you will, that there will be
01:57:07.799 --> 01:57:10.235
A loss of liberty in our country,
01:57:10.235 --> 01:57:12.137
And we will lose what we have been given.
01:57:12.137 --> 01:57:15.540
Robert: what we have to be ashamed of
01:57:15.540 --> 01:57:16.908
In our history are the times when we
01:57:16.908 --> 01:57:18.643
Have failed to follow our own founding principles,
01:57:18.643 --> 01:57:22.647
The proposition that all men are
01:57:22.647 --> 01:57:24.049
Created equal, that they are endowed
01:57:24.049 --> 01:57:25.517
By their creator with certain unalienable
01:57:25.517 --> 01:57:27.385
Rights, and among these are life, liberty,
01:57:27.385 --> 01:57:28.954
And the pursuit of happiness.
01:57:28.954 --> 01:57:30.756
When we were involved in injustice and wrongdoing,
01:57:30.756 --> 01:57:34.025
It wasn't because of our principles,
01:57:34.025 --> 01:57:35.894
It was in violation of our principles.
01:57:35.894 --> 01:57:39.598
Our principles are good principles,
01:57:39.598 --> 01:57:41.733
I would say godly principles.
01:57:41.733 --> 01:57:44.703
The trouble is we're prone to wrongdoing, prone to sin,
01:57:44.703 --> 01:57:47.873
To use the religious language, which i
01:57:47.873 --> 01:57:50.175
Think it's very appropriate to use.
01:57:50.175 --> 01:57:52.177
When we have sinned, we have not done well.
01:57:52.177 --> 01:57:54.946
We have not flourished.
01:57:54.946 --> 01:57:57.883
We have compromised and betrayed the very
01:57:57.883 --> 01:58:03.622
Almighty god in whom we have
01:58:03.622 --> 01:58:06.458
Placed our trust and our reliance.
01:58:06.458 --> 01:58:10.328
When we have honored our founding principles,
01:58:10.328 --> 01:58:13.398
The principles of the declaration
01:58:13.398 --> 01:58:14.766
Of independence and the constitution,
01:58:14.766 --> 01:58:17.135
We have flourished.
01:58:17.135 --> 01:58:18.637
Michael: with that well-earned certainty
01:58:22.541 --> 01:58:24.109
That, as abraham lincoln said, "he
01:58:24.109 --> 01:58:26.611
Who made the world still governs it,"
01:58:26.611 --> 01:58:29.981
Americans of today should regain our bearings.
01:58:29.981 --> 01:58:33.685
It must be the task of the citizen
01:58:33.685 --> 01:58:36.388
As well as the statesman to listen for god's
01:58:36.388 --> 01:58:40.458
Footsteps, and that perspective
01:58:40.458 --> 01:58:43.061
Should make the american miracle unmistakable,
01:58:43.061 --> 01:58:46.598
Impossible to miss, that our nation is no accident.
01:58:46.598 --> 01:58:52.637
♪♪♪
01:58:52.637 --> 01:59:23.768
Matt: gentlemen, give us your thoughts.
01:59:02.647 --> 01:59:29.140
This miracle has now been laid out.
01:59:29.140 --> 01:59:32.878
I'm sure a lot of people got some new information,
01:59:32.878 --> 01:59:37.349
Some new portions.
01:59:37.349 --> 01:59:38.817
We haven't, you know, kind of since civics class
01:59:38.817 --> 01:59:41.820
In high school, you know, we probably haven't
01:59:41.820 --> 01:59:44.089
Heard a lot about this.
01:59:44.089 --> 01:59:45.724
You've brought some amazing things
01:59:45.724 --> 01:59:47.859
To the attention of our audience.
01:59:47.859 --> 01:59:49.728
Tim, your thoughts at the conclusion
01:59:49.728 --> 01:59:52.297
Of this amazing film, "american miracle"?
01:59:52.297 --> 01:59:55.066
Tim: you know, leadership is so important,
01:59:55.066 --> 01:59:57.369
And the founders, i think they saw
01:59:57.369 --> 02:00:00.071
George washington as their deliverer in many ways.
02:00:00.071 --> 02:00:04.142
He had the stature, he had a calling in his life.
02:00:04.142 --> 02:00:07.078
And i think one thing, you know, we're
02:00:07.078 --> 02:00:08.980
Not all gonna become george washington,
02:00:08.980 --> 02:00:10.649
But there were a lot of--there
02:00:10.649 --> 02:00:12.017
Was a cast of characters around washington,
02:00:12.017 --> 02:00:13.952
And they all had their role to serve.
02:00:13.952 --> 02:00:16.388
And i think what i felt was that i needed to be inspired,
02:00:16.388 --> 02:00:22.027
I guess, to believe in america, to believe
02:00:22.027 --> 02:00:25.463
That i should participate, and i think
02:00:25.463 --> 02:00:27.933
That that's what michael and i have talked about,
02:00:27.933 --> 02:00:29.701
Is that this is a nation of participation,
02:00:29.701 --> 02:00:33.071
Not of withdrawing.
02:00:33.071 --> 02:00:34.439
And i hope that people have been inspired
02:00:34.439 --> 02:00:36.675
To participate in their local community,
02:00:36.675 --> 02:00:39.244
Participate in their family, and share the story of what
02:00:39.244 --> 02:00:42.747
God has done in helping this nation survive
02:00:42.747 --> 02:00:45.951
Through all sorts of different times.
02:00:45.951 --> 02:00:47.285
There's more story to be told, by, the way,
02:00:47.285 --> 02:00:48.954
Isn't there, mike?
02:00:48.954 --> 02:00:50.288
Michael: well, there is.
02:00:50.288 --> 02:00:51.656
Part of the story that people don't know
02:00:51.656 --> 02:00:53.024
Is the miraculous story of george
02:00:53.024 --> 02:00:55.994
Washington's survival.
02:00:55.994 --> 02:00:59.030
He struck people who were his contemporaries
02:00:59.030 --> 02:01:01.700
As someone who had a special blessing
02:01:01.700 --> 02:01:04.069
And protection, and this goes back
02:01:04.069 --> 02:01:06.404
To the very beginning of the french
02:01:06.404 --> 02:01:07.906
And indian war when he was
02:01:07.906 --> 02:01:09.407
A 23-year-old militia officer.
02:01:09.407 --> 02:01:13.178
And of the british side who participated
02:01:13.178 --> 02:01:17.749
In this disastrous battle for the british side,
02:01:17.749 --> 02:01:21.152
The battle of monongahela, right near where pittsburgh
02:01:21.152 --> 02:01:24.422
Is today, they had 70 officers
02:01:24.422 --> 02:01:27.959
Who rode out into battle, and all of them
02:01:27.959 --> 02:01:32.163
Were either killed or wounded except one.
02:01:32.163 --> 02:01:35.266
And the one was a 6'3" guy who was considered a giant
02:01:35.266 --> 02:01:39.237
In his days.
02:01:39.237 --> 02:01:40.638
Time and again, george washington
02:01:40.638 --> 02:01:43.742
Escaped death, and he understood
02:01:43.742 --> 02:01:48.079
And wrote about how there was a purpose in that.
02:01:48.079 --> 02:01:52.283
And this is one of those things,
02:01:52.283 --> 02:01:53.685
When people look at that founding generation,
02:01:53.685 --> 02:01:56.888
People will always say, "well, it was
02:01:56.888 --> 02:01:59.090
Just a coincidence.
02:01:59.090 --> 02:02:00.425
There were a lot of really gifted people,
02:02:00.425 --> 02:02:02.327
Alexander hamilton and james madison
02:02:02.327 --> 02:02:04.629
And james monroe and benjamin franklin
02:02:04.629 --> 02:02:08.166
And john adams."
02:02:08.166 --> 02:02:10.668
Okay, except all of those people
02:02:10.668 --> 02:02:14.005
Believed it was providence.
02:02:14.005 --> 02:02:16.107
They didn't believe it was just a happy accident
02:02:16.107 --> 02:02:19.177
That they all lived at the same time.
02:02:19.177 --> 02:02:23.181
And we see that.
02:02:23.181 --> 02:02:24.549
There's a moment at the american
02:02:24.549 --> 02:02:26.818
Constitutional convention where they were
02:02:26.818 --> 02:02:29.888
Breaking apart, and not over
02:02:29.888 --> 02:02:31.322
The issue of slavery, though that was
02:02:31.322 --> 02:02:32.924
A divisive issue too, but they were
02:02:32.924 --> 02:02:35.727
Breaking apart over the issue of whether
02:02:35.727 --> 02:02:38.797
You were going to have
02:02:38.797 --> 02:02:40.265
The system of government we have, with the house
02:02:40.265 --> 02:02:43.535
And the senate voting separately,
02:02:43.535 --> 02:02:45.937
And one based upon each state,
02:02:45.937 --> 02:02:49.741
Each new version of the colonies
02:02:49.741 --> 02:02:53.078
Gets the same representation, or they have
02:02:53.078 --> 02:02:55.113
Different representation.
02:02:55.113 --> 02:02:57.015
And benjamin franklin, who was 82 years old,
02:02:57.015 --> 02:03:01.252
Got up and gave his only speech
02:03:01.252 --> 02:03:03.655
At the constitutional convention.
02:03:03.655 --> 02:03:05.857
And it was a call to prayer, literally a call to prayer,
02:03:05.857 --> 02:03:09.194
That we stay together and finish this.
02:03:09.194 --> 02:03:12.263
And i know for a lot of people
02:03:12.263 --> 02:03:14.399
Who have seen this movie, that's the most moving part.
02:03:14.399 --> 02:03:19.304
And the point is, and how do we know
02:03:19.304 --> 02:03:20.772
That it's all true?
02:03:20.772 --> 02:03:22.407
Because james madison wrote down the words
02:03:22.407 --> 02:03:26.744
That benjamin franklin spoke at that constitutional
02:03:26.744 --> 02:03:29.514
Convention in 1787.
02:03:29.514 --> 02:03:32.550
Pretty amazing.
02:03:32.550 --> 02:03:34.586
Matt: "the american miracle."
02:03:34.586 --> 02:03:36.488
Michael medved and tim mahoney,
02:03:36.488 --> 02:03:39.257
Thank you for what you did.
02:03:39.257 --> 02:03:40.792
This book is available.
02:03:40.792 --> 02:03:43.328
There's a little company named amazon,
02:03:43.328 --> 02:03:45.697
Might help you get it quickly.
02:03:45.697 --> 02:03:47.499
You know, maybe you've heard of it.
02:03:47.499 --> 02:03:49.634
"the american miracle: divine providence
02:03:49.634 --> 02:03:52.370
In the rise of the republic,"
02:03:52.370 --> 02:03:55.406
And the film, of course, and july 3rd,
02:03:55.406 --> 02:03:59.410
Perfect time to run it.
02:03:59.410 --> 02:04:00.745
Laurie crouch: you know, i think these projects are
02:04:00.745 --> 02:04:03.648
So valuable to history, because we're telling,
02:04:03.648 --> 02:04:07.886
Again, like you said, to the next generation,
02:04:07.886 --> 02:04:10.188
These beautiful stories, and god always told us
02:04:10.188 --> 02:04:13.124
To tell the generations after us what god had done.
02:04:13.124 --> 02:04:16.127
And if it wasn't god seeing america through,
02:04:16.127 --> 02:04:18.496
I don't think it would have ever survived
02:04:18.496 --> 02:04:20.031
In the first place.
02:04:20.031 --> 02:04:21.366
We say you're indispensable--what's the word
02:04:21.366 --> 02:04:23.635
Grandpa used to say, papa bethany?
02:04:23.635 --> 02:04:26.804
Matt: a man of god and the will of god
02:04:26.804 --> 02:04:30.208
Is immortal until god is finished with you.
02:04:30.208 --> 02:04:35.580
A man of god and the will of god is immortal.
02:04:35.580 --> 02:04:38.883
I think we saw that in the life of
02:04:38.883 --> 02:04:40.785
George washington.
02:04:40.785 --> 02:04:42.153
Michael: well, and people saw it at the time.
02:04:42.153 --> 02:04:45.056
There was a pastor, a presbyterian pastor
02:04:45.056 --> 02:04:49.327
Who later became president of princeton university,
02:04:49.327 --> 02:04:51.863
But leave that aside for a moment,
02:04:51.863 --> 02:04:54.098
Who, when washington returned from
02:04:54.098 --> 02:04:56.267
The battle of monongahela, he's 23 years old.
02:04:56.267 --> 02:05:00.138
No one knew who he was.
02:05:00.138 --> 02:05:01.906
But he gave a sermon and said, "surely this man
02:05:01.906 --> 02:05:05.210
Has been raised by god to be a shepherd
02:05:05.210 --> 02:05:09.581
For his people."
02:05:09.581 --> 02:05:10.949
Matt: i love that.
02:05:10.949 --> 02:05:12.283
Michael: and when people can see that about a person
02:05:12.283 --> 02:05:16.688
At the very beginning of his life,
02:05:16.688 --> 02:05:18.256
An amazing career, that's an indication of how
02:05:18.256 --> 02:05:23.394
Important it is.
02:05:23.394 --> 02:05:24.896
Matt: we have michael medved
02:05:24.896 --> 02:05:27.031
And tim mahoney to thank for this incredible film,
02:05:27.031 --> 02:05:30.835
This experience today.
02:05:30.835 --> 02:05:32.470
Tim, director, producer, final word is yours, sir.
02:05:32.470 --> 02:05:36.307
Tim: well, i think it's important,
02:05:36.307 --> 02:05:37.675
As you mentioned, that we do not forget
02:05:37.675 --> 02:05:39.377
About our past.
02:05:39.377 --> 02:05:40.712
The bible warned over a hundred times,
02:05:40.712 --> 02:05:42.347
"do not forget what god did by bringing you
02:05:42.347 --> 02:05:43.915
Up out of egypt," to the israelites.
02:05:43.915 --> 02:05:45.817
And i think that we were brought
02:05:45.817 --> 02:05:47.452
Out of this--the founders sought
02:05:47.452 --> 02:05:51.189
The deliverance, you know, from england,
02:05:51.189 --> 02:05:53.091
To create something new, and i think we need
02:05:53.091 --> 02:05:55.827
To tell our children about our past
02:05:55.827 --> 02:05:57.895
And about--this film is a great story
02:05:57.895 --> 02:06:00.632
To remind us of all the things god
02:06:00.632 --> 02:06:03.034
Has done to bring this nation to what it is today.
02:06:03.034 --> 02:06:06.604
Matt: truly an american miracle.
02:06:06.604 --> 02:06:09.140
Thank you, guys.
02:06:09.140 --> 02:06:10.508
We'll see you next time, bye-bye.
02:06:10.508 --> 02:06:14.512
Benjamin: and the longer i live,
02:06:14.512 --> 02:06:17.148
The more convincing proofs i see of this truth,
02:06:17.148 --> 02:06:22.987
That god governs in the affairs of men.
02:06:22.987 --> 02:06:28.660
And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground
02:06:28.660 --> 02:06:32.997
Without his notice, is it probable
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That an empire can rise without his aid?
02:06:36.601 --> 02:06:40.672
All: hear, hear.
02:06:40.672 --> 02:06:43.074
Hear, hear. hear, hear.
02:06:43.074 --> 02:06:47.245
♪♪♪
02:06:47.245 --> 02:06:47.245

The American Miracle

July 2, 2026 | S E | 126:56

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