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SidneyR

(211 posts)

63. Fact: by the time of the American revolution,

Fri Nov 21, 2025, 09:29 AM

Nov 2025

the monarchy in Britain was NOT running the country. Parliament was. Americans like to over-simplify things in order to rally around an easy target. The American revolt was about getting out from under the constraints of colonial status, but it was Parliament they opposed. The king was already little more than a national symbol with power that was mostly ceremonial.

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Mr.Bee Vegan4life

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KEN BURNS, WoW! [View all] Mr.Bee Nov 2025 OP

Ken Burns is a treasure..it takes years to get his documentaries completed but so worth it for us. Deuxcents Nov 2025 #1

People don't understand that dates are relevant for cause and effect misanthrope Nov 2025 #5

A treasure indeed. B.See Nov 2025 #48

We got a lucky break at Yorktown underpants Nov 2025 #2

U beat me to the punch with von Steuben BaronChocula Nov 2025 #18

It has been illuminating. A tour de force for sure. mahina Nov 2025 #3

And now we're throwing it all away misanthrope Nov 2025 #4

i do not accept barbtries Nov 2025 #59

I appreciated that they did not gloss over the slavery issue... maptap22 Nov 2025 #6

Not only owned but ruthlessly hunted down escaped slaves. BannonsLiver Nov 2025 #8

Just goes to show you Farmer-Rick Nov 2025 #62

I like that he trashed the narrative on George III that is/was taught in our schools BannonsLiver Nov 2025 #7

Does he cover post-war veterans, etc? leftstreet Nov 2025 #9

It's woven into the whole thing TommyT139 Nov 2025 #31

I heard it said that Burns could do a documentary on dirt an it would be wonderful. 😂😂😂 Srkdqltr Nov 2025 #10

Hey, he managed to make BASEBALL interesting, for me! Paladin Nov 2025 #20

Those First 3 Episodes Of "Baseball" Are Awesome ProfessorGAC Nov 2025 #41

He did Kali999 Nov 2025 #78

Yes Srkdqltr Nov 2025 #79

Several indigenous tribes allied with Britain. Frasier Balzov Nov 2025 #11

The British offered freedom from slavery for blacks that fought for the Crown nt wolfie001 Nov 2025 #21

Then left them to die in small boats from smallpox and dysentery Ponietz Nov 2025 #27

Oh yes wolfie001 Nov 2025 #57

It has been a great series so far, as expected. Hey Joe Nov 2025 #12

That issue came up some during the Covid mandatory troop vaccinations. Hassin Bin Sober Nov 2025 #54

I love the artwork they chose to put in the series BigmanPigman Nov 2025 #13

I was going to point out how wonderful the illustrations are, just rounds out this most excellent production. n/t SheilaAnn Nov 2025 #28

And The MAPS! Mr.Bee Nov 2025 #52

All is accurate except part of your 2nd paragraph - --if not for the French. 3Hotdogs Nov 2025 #14

okay... Mr.Bee Nov 2025 #16

--- not trying to beat up on you. 3Hotdogs Nov 2025 #42

Did I reveal Mr.Bee Nov 2025 #53

Peter Coyote is one of the great narrators of all time. nt moniss Nov 2025 #15

Green Mountain Boys Fiorillo Nov 2025 #17

any relation Mr.Bee Nov 2025 #55

Not found Fiorillo Nov 2025 #66

I a lot of ways, it was the wealthier people who fought against the British Warpy Nov 2025 #19

Yes, and George Washington was not a nice man. But he was the right man for the time in which we needed him. SunSeeker Nov 2025 #36

Since the 18th century artillery has been the biggest killer on the battlefield AverageOldGuy Nov 2025 #22

Yes, Burns' episode 2 talks about the horrible toll smallpox took during the Revolutionary War. nt SunSeeker Nov 2025 #37

That is quite true. MANY more soldiers died of disease than of wounds, Jack Valentino Nov 2025 #46

technically it was our mosquitoes + malaria that got the brits. pansypoo53219 Nov 2025 #76

I keep thinking while watching--How in the world did we win this war? Bayard Nov 2025 #23

Learn more every day! elleng Nov 2025 #24

Great series. Even better than The American Revolution-OverSimplified. BHDem53 Nov 2025 #25

"The Revolutionary War wasn't just fought with muskets or antique cannons shooting at each other." Collimator Nov 2025 #26

Some at least might have been. soldierant Nov 2025 #75

The French King Louis XVI (hubby of Marie Antoinette) loaned vast sums for our revolution hedda_foil Nov 2025 #29

That history is also fascinating catchnrelease Nov 2025 #44

Never thought of the American Revolution as our first civil war until watching the first couple of episodes. walkingman Nov 2025 #30

That the American Colonial Revolution changed the whole world's idea of governance has been what I have always ShazamIam Nov 2025 #32

THE PHRASE homegirl Nov 2025 #68

This is why Col. Stanton said, " Lafayette, we are here!" spike jones Nov 2025 #33

Ken Burns is a gift, madamesilverspurs Nov 2025 #34

I'm waiting to see if Burns talks Deminpenn Nov 2025 #35

The theme that the Revolutionary War was also a civil war is definitely told. SunSeeker Nov 2025 #39

That is so, but here, the British actively sought to set the Deminpenn Nov 2025 #72

Iroquois Nasruddin Nov 2025 #38

Yes, episode 2 makes clear the native nations helped keep Canada British. SunSeeker Nov 2025 #40

Back in 1960 or thereabouts Jilly_in_VA Nov 2025 #43

I'm sorry your teachers failed you. I was taught all of that by my teachers in the 1960s. Martin68 Nov 2025 #45

"Nationalist mythology with diversity window dressing" masmdu Nov 2025 #47

Thank you. Burns is a master storyteller but I have a few issues with the mythmaking. Solomon Nov 2025 #58

+1 leftstreet Nov 2025 #67

Definitely Mr.Bee Nov 2025 #49

Did You Catch Craig Furguson Mr.Bee Nov 2025 #50

Would it be so bad if we were like Canada or Australia? hunter Nov 2025 #51

You may find Jay Winik's book, "The Great Upheaval" of interest . . . Journeyman Nov 2025 #56

There were Native Americans allied with the British as well. cab67 Nov 2025 #60

Oneida Nation Warriors Haudenosaunee Nov 2025 #61

Welcome to DU LetMyPeopleVote Nov 2025 #73

Shekoli! Satekhwalá:ne' kʌ ni'isé: tsi' náhte' yutanuhelá:tuhe̲' marble falls Nov 2025 #77

Glad to see your name pop up. Bohunk68 Nov 2025 #81

Fact: by the time of the American revolution, SidneyR Nov 2025 #63

Been watching also jonstl08 Nov 2025 #64

and let's not forget the contribution by WOMEN! Mr.Bee Nov 2025 #65

Yep jonstl08 Nov 2025 #69

I watched the first episode last night. So well done, debm55 Nov 2025 #70

I just now watched the first 50 minutes while Emile Nov 2025 #71

There were lots H2O Man Nov 2025 #74

I prefer my history with more content and less comment. WarGamer Nov 2025 #80

the thing i find amazing about this..... Takket Dec 7 #82