
London’s Reaction
Clip: Special | 1m 17sVideo has Closed Captions
King George believes this American insurrection could lead to the end of the British empire.
King George believes this American insurrection could lead to the end of the British empire, and he is determined not to let that happen.
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Episodes presented in 4K UHD on supported devices. Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and...

London’s Reaction
Clip: Special | 1m 17sVideo has Closed Captions
King George believes this American insurrection could lead to the end of the British empire, and he is determined not to let that happen.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship♪ Voice: London, "The Gentleman's Magazine."
The American Declaration reflects no honor upon either the erudition or honesty of its authors.
"We hold," they say, "these truths to be self-evident.
That all men are created equal"?
Every plowman knows that they are not created equal.
It certainly is no reason why the Americans should turn rebels.
Atkinson: King George was determined that the Americans not be permitted to break away.
He believes, and his senior ministers believe, that this slippery slope of an American insurrection will only lead to the dissolution of the British Empire.
The sun never sets on the British Empire.
That phrase was coined in 1773.
And George is determined it's never going to set as long as he is the monarch.
♪ Narrator: And the King had sent a great fleet to New York-- with thousands of troops-- to prevent that from ever happening.
♪
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Clip: Special | 2m 58s | Richard Henry Lee proposes a formal resolution declaring independence from Britain. (2m 58s)
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Clip: Special | 1m 24s | Jefferson uses charged language in the final grievance listed in the Declaration of Independence. (1m 24s)
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Clip: Special | 1m 57s | Colonial leaders know that France’s support is essential, but they must sever ties with Britain. (1m 57s)
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Clip: Special | 1m 47s | Revolutionary leaders realize they need popular support and begin to address everyday concerns. (1m 47s)
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Clip: Special | 1m 44s | One purpose of the Declaration of Independence is to declare that George III is no longer sovereign. (1m 44s)
The Meaning of the Declaration to Different Groups
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Clip: Special | 1m 28s | Different groups begin to wonder what “all men are created equal” means for them. (1m 28s)
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Clip: Special | 1m 34s | The Preamble addresses the concept of natural rights. (1m 34s)
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Clip: Special | 1m 7s | Many Loyalists and some other Americans believe Thomas Paine’s ideas go too far. (1m 7s)
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Clip: Special | 2m 40s | After ratification, the Declaration is publicly read across the former colonies. (2m 40s)
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Clip: Special | 4m 11s | Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense, an explosive pamphlet that attacks monarchy. (4m 11s)
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Episodes presented in 4K UHD on supported devices. Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and...


























