Skip to content
Back
Playback unavailable Playback is disabled.

Playback is currently unavailable for S1 E1 · In Order to Be Free (May 1754 – May 1775). Episode details remain available below.

Poster for The American Revolution

The American Revolution

6.1/10 48 votes
DocumentaryWar & Politics

The American Revolution was at once a war for independence, a war of conquest, a civil war, and a world war, fought by neighbors on American farms and between global powers an ocean or more away. It impacted millions from Vermont’s Green Mountains to the swamps of South Carolina, from Indian Country to the Iberian Peninsula. In defeating the British Empire and giving birth to a new nation, the American Revolution turned the world upside-down. Thirteen colonies on the Atlantic Coast united in rebellion, won their independence, and established a republic that still endures. The American Revolution will present the story of the men and women of the Revolutionary generation, their humanity in victory and defeat, and the crisis that they lived through.

Created by:
Ken Burns
Cast:
Peter Coyote
Language:
English
Country:
United States of America
Network:
PBS

Episode guide

Seasons

2 available

Miniseries

Episodes

Episode 1 selected
Still from In Order to Be Free (May 1754 – May 1775) E01

Episode 1

★ 3.8

In Order to Be Free (May 1754 – May 1775)

2025-11-16 · 116m

Opposition in colonial North America to British policies over taxes, land and sovereignty escalates into violent confrontation; war gives 13 colonies a common cause.

Current episode
Still from An Asylum for Mankind (May 1775 – July 1776) E02

Episode 2

★ 3.6

An Asylum for Mankind (May 1775 – July 1776)

2025-11-17 · 124m

Congress puts George Washington in command of a new Continental Army; Congress declares American independence in July 1776.

Watch progress · Not tracked
Still from The Times That Try Men's Souls (July 1776 – January 1777) E03

Episode 3

★ 4.0

The Times That Try Men's Souls (July 1776 – January 1777)

2025-11-18 · 115m

British General Howe defeats General Washington, forcing the Americans to abandon New York; Washington's army regroups in New Jersey before attacking an outpost at Trenton.

Watch progress · Not tracked
Still from Conquer by a Drawn Game (January 1777 – February 1778) E04

Episode 4

★ 3.6

Conquer by a Drawn Game (January 1777 – February 1778)

2025-11-19 · 116m

General Howe takes Philadelphia, but the Americans' surprising victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga encourages France to support the U.S.

Watch progress · Not tracked
Still from The Soul of All America (December 1777 – May 1780) E05

Episode 5

★ 3.6

The Soul of All America (December 1777 – May 1780)

2025-11-20 · 114m

The French-American alliance changes the war and moves it to other theaters; navies battle off England and in the Caribbean, while armies advance in Indian Country and the South; the British take Charleston.

Watch progress · Not tracked
Still from The Most Sacred Thing (May 1780 – Onward) E06

Episode 6

★ 3.7

The Most Sacred Thing (May 1780 – Onward)

2025-11-21 · 131m

British General Cornwallis struggles to pacify the southern states; supported by the French, a victory at Yorktown secures independence for the Americans.

Watch progress · Not tracked

Cast

Peter Coyote

Peter Coyote

Narrator (voice)

More Like This

Drag to explore