It is interesting how everyone has a mixture of shock, terror, and despair in their face, and yet Benjamin Franklin just nods like "yup, I knew that is how it was going to go down"
@@Imjustasimpleman5310 not only did he live there but he received such a reception as a "colonial" that he ceased being an Englishman - and was "the First American" --- great book (2002) by H. W. Brands: " The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin"
Before Franklin left Britain he had appeared before a consul just after news of the Boston tea party where he was verbally abused for the actions of the sons of Liberty. He knew exactly how the British would react to Olive branch petition in light of the actions at Lexington and Concord.
Several of the original signatories had their homes burnt to the ground. Over a dozen lost their entire fortunes. Many had wives and children jailed, and several were killed in the war. NONE BAILED.
5 of them were killed during the war, serving in as much a military manner as feasibly possible, 7 others bore wounds post-Conflict as a reminder of the oath they swore. Yet not one yielded or forsook the cause. They never tell many of that, so they wrongfully assume that it was a bunch of rich politicians making political gain for themselves at the expense of the common folk... When the history tells that they suffered immensely.
Up to that point they were British. They may have been across the Atlantic, but they saw themselves as Englishmen. When the response from the King arrived that was over.
Well, they didn’t want separation, it was the very last resort to achieve their liberty and freedom. They didn’t want war or separation, yet when they were not being heard or listened to, they had no choice.
It's actually really startling when you start reading more primary sources of the era how much loyalty and faith was placed in the King personally, even by people who would later become revolutionaries. That seems strange to us today, but at the time the real venom of American anger was targeted towards parliament and the ministers. Many believed that once the King got involved he would redress their grievances. The cult of Monarchy was still strong throughout American society. If George had used the least bit of political tact, he could have easily kept the revolutionaries under control.
The King Betrayed us. We asked but to simply be represented in parliament so that taxation may be argued from our position as well. So that we may have a voice and be given the rights due to us as citizens under his kingship. His Majesty's Response? A spit in our face and an increase in violence. The Crown Betrayed Americans and made us so.
"All 13 clocks must strike at the same second." Man, I couldn't imagine trying to unify and get 13 different governments to agree to risk their necks for independence. Especially back then when it took days or weeks to send a message across the country.
They risk their lives, the future of their country, with an uncertain victory in the war, whereas today's politicians play the game of gambling soldiers lives or not, depending on which will get them elected next term.
You don’t like our members of Congress? Look who elected them. The Americans of today are nothing like the Americans of 1775. They turn out in droves to elect loudmouth perverts like Matt Gaetz and whacked out conspiracy mongers like Marjorie Taylor-Greene. Don’t pretend like none of that isn’t our fault.
@@zatchbell622 they also turn out in droves to elect pathetic idiots like Biden, incompetent snots like Harris, anti-semitic garbage like Omar, vile little tyrants like Pelosi, scheming hypocrites like Schumer, avowed anti-American marxists like Warnock, AOC, Sanders ... shall I go on? With few exceptions, all of these reprehensible Democrat insects do the bidding of their corporate, media and New World Order masters to turn America into a one-party totalitarian state and destroy the republic that these founding patriots risked their lives to create... and that the Greatest Generation fought so valiantly to preserve.
The best thing to do is keep tract of those you elect in you own community, they you can keep honest and an eye on, those in DC are there for themselves only and no one else save one or two exceptions.
All of that is true, yet without the intervention of God Almighty in that war, they would have been a footnote amongst history's great losers. No way they should have won that war but for circumstance after circumstance of the hand of Providence seeing them through.
I love Dickenson's face the first time "traitors" is read from the King's proclamation. He really believed in the King being merciful up until that moment. That really rocked his world. Amazing acting from all the cast in this segment, loved it.
@Kyle Alexander Wilson No. He told them to cease treasonous activities tha directly threaten the British Empire as a whole. The King made it clear that if they were to stop then they would be handled with "tenderness and mercy". They did not stop and instead took the approach of insurrection and treason, so the British Government responded to the threat. The American Government did similar to the Southern states.
@Kyle Alexander Wilson Bearing arms was not the treasonous activity. It was aiming those arms at the King's soldiers. The press were going about their usual thing. The writing's of Paine is a fine example of that. The assembled plenty. They only had to disperse from their assembly when they were causing serious issues to safety or property; like in the modern U.S. Or in the cass of tragic accidents like The Boston Massacre. John Adams defended those soldiers in court. They also assembled in the Continental Congress with representatives from all 13 colonies own governing bodies. Elections where anyone can vote is rather modern though. You can't judge the British Government on that and not the American. Yes the soldiers living in peoples home isn't great. In fact I hate it. I also hate the fact that the American government can justify taking my land through eminent domain. I don't understand how this makes me a traitor. I love my home, being the United States, and specifically the Keystone State Pennsylvania. I'm just pointing out that King George III was not Emperor Palpatine.
The King was misled -- by his own "designing men" at court, as well as by his royal narcissism and stern, paternalistic German temperament -- into believing that only a small cadre of the conniving disaffected had initiated and conducted the Revolution to date, against the best interests AND WISHES of the mass of the colonists. He failed to see the thing for what it was -- a popular resistance movement enjoying wide support in most of the colonies, albeit one necessarily LED and REPRESENTED by members of the colonies' intellectual and economic elite. His response to the Olive Branch Petition was thus predictably off-base and harmed Britain's own cause. When war came, Britain's strategy was similarly misguided -- the King's armies kept moving from region to region hoping to unlock the "masses of popular support for the Crown" they had been told to expect; but the local Tories were easily intimidated and their military contribution fairly small.
@@umbraemilitos Our congress gave Afghanistan $160 million dollars in aircraft, but not the training to pilot or maintain them. After sitting on the tarmac for a few years, the Afghanistan government scrapped them for junk at pennies on the ton.
@@SM-4359 Not to sound like a conspiracy theorist here but it could be that it was some sort of plot to earn money for the weapons manufacturing friends of some politicians with the use of tax dollars, say an appeasement to fund their agendas and future re-elections while minimizing the probable threat that it could pose for the US. I don't know man but US politics is shady as hell sometimes.
When I was a student in Phila., things were very different and I could sit in Washington's chair. Brought a small plastic hammer with me one day to "ring" the Liberty Bell (it was in the foyer then and the clapper was immobilized). On the second floor there are 2 beautiful portraits of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, gifts to the American people. She wore the diamond ear rings you can now see at the Smithsonian. They were gifts from her husband on the occasion of the birth of one of their children. I got into the attic one day but don't remember any details.
It's moments like this where you gotta admire the 56 men that signed the Declaration of Independence (John and Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, etc.) because they all knowingly signed what was essentially their own death warrant if America lost the war or if they were somehow captured before the war's end in 1783. John Adams almost got captured on his diplomatic mission to France in crossing the Atlantic and Philadelphia was captured by the British in 1777. I mean hell, in 1776, the Continental Army was not doing all that well and the French had not yet agreed to lend their support, and yet in spite of all that they still signed knowing the risks.
The continental army never did good. Never prevailed. Never winning a unanimous victory. Just an endless string of fighting retreats until they were cornered in New York. Even the victory at Trenton was only so because so sure of victory was cornwallis and the elite that they ordered most of the army back to England expecting full surrender. There were ships which could have possibly caught the armada, but finding them would have been difficult. It would have then taken months on end to turn south to catch the Westerlies and ride them back to the Caribbean and then back up the coast to Boston and New York. Had they only waited a few weeks more, the end of hostilities would have been markedly different.
I love how people try to downplay the military achievements of the continental forces. You're saying that the only reason that the British lost was their hubris? If that is the case, Britain may have been run by the most incompetent group of men in quite some time. You fail to realize that the British Empire had no stomach for a drawn out war in which began because the empire raised taxes to pay for another recent costly war. The empire had nothing to gain, really. If they lost, it only hurt their pride. The revolutionary war to the citizens of England was more akin to the Vietnam War to Americans during the 1960's-70's.
I never watched this show but damn this is powerful. The Man who was so sure of sending a petition of peaceful negotiation to the King received a "Submit to me or die." reply. The sheer horror on his face was unfiltered.
It really shows just how much the British government misread the colonies and underestimated them. At every step, from the proclemation of 1763 to the Coercive acts, to the attacks on Lexington and Concord, to the rejection of the Olive Branch Petition, he missed every opportunity to negotiate. He could have just said he was open to negotiation, even if he would make only symbolic gestures, if only to keep the rebels divided. But he didn't think he had to, because he thought he could destroy the rebels anyway.
I highly, highly recommend watching the series. Its absolutely brilliant. Paul Giamatti does his best work as John Adams. It should be required viewing for every Representative and Senator in Congress today.
They realized (quite wisely) that in order for the revolution to succeed, it had to happen all over the colonies at the same time to keep the British stretched thin. Had simply one state declared independence on its own it would have been utterly crushed by the sheer concentrated might of the British military machine, but altogether, it vastly weakened its ability to concentrate forces in any particular area. That was what wound up being our redeeming strategy.
The founding fathers embodied the proverb - "A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit" Those statesmen who were on the fence before, now had no other choice but to pick a side. We are lucky that the majority of them chose to persist.
@@jebbroham1776 Also outlasting public support from the UK for them to fight the war, and it had lasted for like 8 years and actually worked. The south in the Civil War tried the same thing but failed, including their attempt for foreign assistance
Cry Havoc - That is a great line, but there’s no indication that Franklin ever actually said it. It was first published decades later and is probably apocryphal...
I find a bit of humor in Tom Wilkinson portraying Benjamin Franklin when he also portrayed General Lord Charles Cornwallis in "The Patriot". I do enjoy his performances.
This is the point where we see these men as more than "just men" These are people putting not just themselves at risk, but thousands of their own people in peril for a cause. A cause that they in their hearts believed to be just and righteous. God bless America
@John Isaac Felipe I think there's a pretty big difference between continuing to be ruled by a monarch thousands of miles away without any representation and staying within the EU which is made up of the member nations themselves. Not even close to comparable.
@James Gray It was. And if those loyalists had been willing to fight with the same passion and perseverance as the Continentals, the War of Independence could have turned out very differently. They mostly chose to stay home and hide indoors.
This was read on October 26, 1775 (nearly 245 years ago to the very day) during the first session of the Second Continental Congress. John Adams would continue to persist in trying to get unanimity among the colonies for another 8 months before the Declaration of Independence was ratified and signed by the 56 members present.
@@murphyandotherstuff6884 The joke is that the actor for Benjamin Franklin in this mini-series also played as the actor for General Cornwallis in the movie The Patriot. Which has the hilarious implication of Ben Franklin/Cornwallis rapidly jumping back and forth in different outfits and living the ultimate double-life to play both sides against each other like some sort of one-man Illuminati.
@@josephmariani9945 I can think of some "successful" attempts at treason, wherein the committing party was purely out for themselves/profit, not for an overthrow of the government. They may not overthrow the government they ostensibly serve, but they do betray it. You are right though, that the failures are often much more loudly pronounced "TREASON!!!" than the successes.
Yeah that’s right the southern states were fighting for the same principles this nation was founded on and it’s only called treason or being a rebel if you lose!!!!!!
Reminds me of a line from 1776. "A rebellion is always legal in the 1st person, such as 'our rebellion'. It's the 3rd person, 'their rebellion' that's illegal "
One of my two favorite "mini series" John Adams and Band Of Brothers, both just masterpieces from beginning to end. Both make you feel as close to knowing what it must have been like to have lived and died in those times.
@@jeffcooper9363 If you mean they fall into obscurity, I think Band Of Brothers has been recognized for the work it was the the actual soldiers are famous now for their service. John Adams seems to be one of the overlooked founding fathers, and that's crazy cause he loomed large. I hadn't realized he'd defended the British soldiers from the Boston Massacre and won. He was totally against slavery and never had engaged in slave ownership. He also invented the internet and cellphone; just some little known facts. The More You Know! LOL
@@DavBlc7 The war had already been going on for a year. Franklin wanted to use George's proclamation to promote the colonies declaring independence from Britain, not to start an already ongoing war.
Franklin had tried hard to keep the peace between the colonies and England. They publicly humiliated him while in England and that was it. He instantly became a revolutionary. He knew there was no turning back.
"We will now all hang together. Or must assuredly we will all hang separately." - Benjamin Franklin Gangsta line. One of the two great lines he drops in this series. So gangsta.
"All thirteen clocks must strike at the same second." The actual quote to to Benjamin Kent, June 22, 1776, in a letter was, " But remember you can't make thirteen Clocks, Strike precisely alike, at the Same Second." It is beginning to sink in with me how much we owe to these insurrectionists....literally EVERYTHING.
@@falconeshield I had no intention to try and make Jan 6th people look good. re·bel·lion: noun an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler. "the authorities put down a rebellion by landless colonials" Similar: uprising revolt insurrection mutiny revolution insurgence
I'm surprised Benjamin Franklin handled the news so well. Out of the founding fathers he was arguably the most loyal one. So much so that he installed that loyalty to the crown so strongly in his son that the two never reconciled after the rebellion. Franklin's son thought this betrayed everything he was ever taught to believe.
Franklin's opinion of the British Government had soured years prior to the Declaration, after he was ridiculed on the floor of Parliament for injudiciously exposing the contents of certain confidential letters while acting as Postmaster General for the Colonies and as PA's agent in Britain. He lost his posts, was nearly arrested, and brooded over the matter for the several weeks it took him to return to PA by ship. When he stepped off that boat he was a changed man, unalterably opposed to the Crown and its Government and determined that America should be done with both of them. Franklin was not only incredibly intelligent, but articulate, fairly wealthy, well-connected, self-disciplined, and stubborn about achieving any goal he set for himself. He had a talent for discourse, and for putting complex facts in simple terms that helped others -- even if they were of a different background than his own -- to readily see the plain truth and desirability of any proposition he favored. Arguably he became, with Washington, the most dangerous American the Brits had to face.
@@roberthaworth8991 That's fascinating. I wasn't aware of this background event. For an overly intelligent threat to the crown, he was nonetheless undermined by one of the most successful spies in British history while in France.
@@roberthaworth8991 I was just about to mention how he was ridiculed on the floor of Parliament. He was English when he went into Parliament, and American when he came out.
Tom Wilkinson was born and spent his early years in Yorkshire, and his normal speaking voice has traces of that accent. But apparently his family then moved to Canada for a few years and finally came back to the UK and settled in Cornwall. The accent that he uses in this rôle is largely a Westcountry accent, and more authentic to my ears (I am a Devonian, from the next county to Cornwall) than the usual 'Mummerset' accent affected by actors when required to do a Westcountry accent. Since many of the sailors who manned ships sailing to the New World were likely to have been from the West Country, and perhaps many settlers too, their accent would have contributed strongly to the American accent. However, I don't think that Franklin's forebears had any connection with South West England.
"We will now all hang together, or most assuredly we will all hang separately." Franklin, as usual. hit the nail on the head. This was the moment when the impetus for independence happened.
I remember arriving to this amazing country as a kid and learning about the founding fathers, their courage, their sacrifice, their achievements, I've had no other heroes to admire. w
Already did. Half my life. I tried to make a difference. I really did. Spent last several years at the funny shaped building in DC. Hardly made a few scratches for good. I tried. I wasn't a yes man. Spent 24 years in the Army. Retired 90 percent disability. Thought about politics. Doubt I would do any better. Do I need to say more?
A great collective acting performance. From Justin Theroux to Paul Giamatti to Tom Wilkinson, and everyone in between, it really showed the collective weight on their shoulders, and that a peaceful resolution was no longer on the table. Most importantly, it showed that this was an all or nothing proposition, cause if they lost, they were dead. At least that is my take on it.
@@johnnotrealname8168 what about treason would mean the signers of the Declaration of Independence would not have been executed? It’s a thing that used to happen all the time. If any signer had been captured he would have been executed for treason 100% likelihood.
Imagine how much pressure they went through receiving that letter, being threatened by the most powerful empire on earth. AND STILL they fought on!! 💙🙏🙏💙🙏💙🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Britain was not the most powerful empire "on earth" at the time, or even in Western Europe. That title went to the French, the ones who actually won the American Revolution.
I can say as an American, England was right in imposing alot of the taxes…. They had just spent an enormous amount of money protecting the colonies. Dont get me wrong i am a true Patriot but they had every right to tax us lol. Ahh well were all pals now lol
There are a lot of great portrayals in this series, but an underrated one is Sam Adams. Prior to this mini-series, it had never occurred to me that Sam and John Adams were related. The brotherhood they show is fascinating--both of them so stubborn, but John more level-headed and pompous than his rasher brother, who nonetheless backs John up at every juncture. And here, Samuel's very concise reaction to the King's Proclamation, a statement of defiance which everyone else is too shocked to echo but which nonetheless everyone realizes is completely right.
They were second cousins actually, not brothers. Though since they both grew up in Boston and were of a similar age, it's unsurprising that they formed a close bond.
Fun fact: Sam Adams, as were many generations of his ancestors, was an actual maltster and produced the malt necessary for brewing beer. This is part of the origin of the Samuel Adams beer, introduced in 1984.
Right! I love how they captured that. The shot cuts to Jefferson and he's just staring into space like "Sheeeeeeeeit he's right" and then cuts to John and he quick turns to Sam like "Wow... Indeed".
John Adams - a 7 part series based on the book of the same name by David McCullough. It is very well done, but some reviewers didn’t get it, thinking that the casting for Adams wasn’t “heroic” enough - utterly laughable. This wasn’t Washington or Hamilton. Adams was a man of little physical prowess, but a giant of a brain and an ego to match (the later got him in trouble as a president as he couldn’t work with his own party). His best strength was his wife Abigail who had a brain to match his own and the strength to run a farm (without slaves - she hired free black) and raise and educated their children (one another future president) while he met destiny in the founding of our nation. Some don’t find it “lush” enough compared with British period dramas, but this was colonial America…a backwater of the world at this time, and the sets and locations reflect that.
Benjamin Franklin was one of the last of the Founding Fathers to consent to American independence. He was one of the two postmasters of the colonies. He was a member of the Royal Society. His son was Governor of New Jersey. He had achieved more distinction than any American ever had, and a good part of that was by royal acclaim. During the troubles with the Mother Country, Benjamin Franklin had been one of the chief conciliatory voices, seeking accord between loyalty to the Crown and defense of colonial liberty. For his trouble, he was berated by the King's solicitor, Alexander Wedderburn, before a full Privy Council. Upon the signing of a treaty with the French, recognizing his new country America, Benjamin Franklin wore the same suit he had worn when he was made to be humiliated by the King's agent.
You know, after watching this series the other day (binge watching this is a July 4 ritual for me), the thought occurred to me that maybe this olive branch petition and others that Adams decried as too soft were necessary, so they could at least say "Hey, we tried it your way." This scene should have been the wake-up call that war was the only way out.
He knew what a war with England would bring, death and destruction to his people. We needed people like Dickinson to explore all peaceful options before war was on. Now though there's no choice, and his hopes of a kind response from the King are dashed. As much as Dickinson detested war, when war came, he put on a uniform and fought in it.
I finally got around to watching the whole John Adams show this past summer over the course of a few days. Absolutely one of the most powerful shows I have ever watched. I appreciate shows that try hard to bring the moment to moment of life into history. All to often it is easy to read a few paragraphs from a book in school and walk away with knowledge of events but with no understanding of their impact. Stuff like this helps to show you those events, and bring humanity to the black and white text from the pages.
You know, I really enjoy and appreciate the musical, Hamilton. Where I see fault with it is it is teaching history from one man's viewpoint. Without Adams' perseverance, freedom of the colonies would have "died in congress".
Hamilton is usually shown in a negative, antagonistic light in pieces about the Revolution. Usually its desirable to show the Revolution from the positive viewpoints of Adams and Jefferson as the heroes, and that often necessitates antagonizing Hamilton. Personally I don't mind. I probably would have been an anti-Federalist had I lived then anyway.
If you want a better teacher of history (albeit another musical), 1776 (put out in 1972 as an adaptation of a play of the same name) is a very good choice.
Okay, just for perspective: the founders were going up against THE greatest power on the planet at that time. The British were known for conquest and military power. Best Navy, etc. It’s like reading a death note from Darth Vader, you don’t know if you’ll win but there will be a lot of death before and if you do. The fear at this moment in time must have been unimaginable - which makes me appreciate the Founding Fathers including Washington even more for their passion, standing up for what they believe in, and having a pair to say “No, we reject your offer. We’re no longer British but American,” despite almost every element being against them. Mad respect, thank God for this country.
Best navy, perhaps, with Spain and France being close contenders. But certainly not best army. The Prussian and French armies held that distinction. The British army was far smaller than either the Spanish, Prussian, French, Austrian or Russian armies. Redcoats are always portrayed as exceptionally disciplined and professional in movies, but they only seemed that way when compared to the American rebels. Compared to other European soldiers, the British didn't particularly stand out. Like everyone else, they had their elite units (which never set foot on the American continent), and their run-of-the-mill regulars, who were neither better nor worse than their European counterparts. According to contemporary sources. British soldiers had a reputation of being quarrelsome, insubordinate, and prone to excessive drinking. The so-called "Hessians", on the other hand, not all of whom were actually from Hessia, usually displayed a higher degree of discipline and professionalism. Incidentally, the Hessians were not merenaries, even though Americans to this day choose to unfairly denigrate them as such. They were regular soldiers, in the service of their respective princes. It was not the soldiers or even the officers, who sold their service to the British, but rather their own princes, who sold them away.
@@Timrath - There was an old saying in the British Navy: A messmate before a shipmate, A shipmate before a stranger, A stranger before a dog, and a dog before a soldier.
Things weren't quite so clear at the time. As with all history, particularly when national pride is involved, a lot of conclusions are retrospective, and don't reflect the perceptions at the time. While the British Empire was certainly in ascendency during the American Revolution, its super-power status wasn't realized quite yet. At the time, France, Prussia, and Austria were believed to be the big guys; and Britain was still a pretentious upstart. Britain's supremacy wouldn't be fully recognized until the defeat of Napoleon, which ironically came 32 years after the Revolution. I'd say the founders certainly had a lot on the line, and a lot to fear, but they also held a card that really paid off in the end. They had France in their back pocket, and that proved to be the deciding factor.
Imagine if they'd have lost... Would just be barely remembered enlightenment traitors who sided with France against the motherland. British empire would probably still be ruling the world.
Eddie Actually Britain lost its grip on world power as a result of the world wars in the 20th century. For instance the Empire was actually at its largest extent in the 1920s.
@@heiwaboke Without the US, a delayed French revolution, meaning no Napoleon, meaning no smaller German nations, meaning no United Germany, meaning no world wars. One alteration of this magnitude alters practically every aspect of the world around us.
@@melonhead82 Exept America didn't helped French revolution in any way because of a risk of reigniting war with England which supported French royalists... Furthermore, Revolution would happen no matter of the outcome of the American one because overall disaprovement for the way King ruled the country was way too high to contain and US existence or not at that point was not a factor in Robbespierre's plans to over throw the King. Lets not forget that at the moment when revolution began Bonaparte was already a well known officer of the army (in rank of Captain if i remember correctly) and he did took a part in initial pacification of the revolution... so your "argument" that without America's "appearance" on the world stage he wouldn't exist is very much but false. And last but not least, let me remind you that Germany was united over 100 years later from the American and French revolutions by Otto von Bismarck and until his Ascendance on the Reich Chancellor Germany was a mess of INDEPENDENT Nations with kingdoms of Bavaria and Saxony as regional powers up front loosely connected with each other by language and that split was dated from earliest times of medieval era in Europe... To conclude... I would strongly suggest to learn a bit about European history before making another comments... based at false presumptions and personal bias against a nation which played a major role in the world affairs from about beginning of the LAST Century.
@@asheer9114 Which is why I said had the French not helped the Americans, a French Revolution would have been delayed, meaning no rise of Napoleon. I mentioned nothing about the US helping the French. Delayed French Revolution does not give the perfect reasons for Napoleon to rise, meaning the Holy Roman Empire states, territories and principalities are not united from Napoleon's success on Continental Europe. I will also remind you, at the beginning of the revolution, Robbespierre and his Jacobin's were a minor factor. The beginning of the revolution was not about overthrowing or killing the king. But those factors came about after heightened tensions and the King's attempt to flee to Austria. Had France not helped the Americans (which is what I said in the comment above, no the American helping the French), then these events would have been delayed and thus any actions by the Jacobins would have been minor. Certain parts of history are people being in the right place at the right time such as Robbespierre and Napoleon. But without certain factors, they would not have become as well known. I will also remind you the Unification of Germany under Otto von Bisrmark happened after Napoleon's uniting the small German states of the Holy Roman Empire into what we know as Bavaria, Saxony, Prussia etc. If it wasn't for Napoleon uniting those states, the the German unification under Bismark and Prussian dominance would not have happened. Also, Great Britain, not England. At the time, Scotland and England had been united since 1707 so the it was called Great Britain. As someone who has a Bachelor Honours in History, you misread my comment entirely and went on a rant. So please read a comment carefully before replying with information that does not relate to the comment.
"A Proclamation by the King: You say the price of my love is not a price you’re willing to pay. You cry in your tea which you hurl in the sea when you see me go by..."
If people only knew this story of these men who were ordered to be hung by the king but never gave up in fighting for the love of this country! Everyone needs to see this series.
It endures that the most amazing aspect of this history is the number of super egos that accepted compromise among themselves, without losing focus. What the flag should represent.
2:07 - Franklin's facial expression is perfect. You can clearly tell that he is mentally processing various ways to deal with the situation upon hearing this gut-punching news
Of all the men in that room, he was the one least surprised. He'd known from his experiences in Britain that the Olive Branch Petition would fail and thus had months to steel his resolve for what he knew would be inevitable. What's more, that same experience dealing with Parliament personally and being torn down by them had long embittered him to the motherland and had already molded him into a man perfectly willing to be done with them already. He just bided his time in the Congress until the King's response would force the other men to get on board for what was coming.
None should have ever been frightened by this eventuality. All those young lads who stared death in the face in the field were fighting in their name. It's only fair that these men sit in that same boat. Fighting for their independence and facing death if they fail.
I viewed this series about a year ago. The film helped me anchor my belief that we have a great country despite our current difficulties. The film also illustrated to me that many current leaders have actively shunned their sacred oath to defend our constitutiion. I really ought to view it again soon.
@@nunyabiznez6381 What is "that" which you refer to? By the way, the social studies curriculum is under, and has been under great pressure to cover just about everything. If the social studies staffs followed every request, the kids would be in social studies class all day.
@@daveenyart When I attended school 44-58 years ago, high schools, jr. high schools and middle schools taught civics, history and geography and were only just introducing general courses in "social studies." The that which I am referring to is what you lamented, the shunning of their oath. This is due to their not grasping the meaning of their oath. They get away with it because the electorate, at least the younger members of the electorate, are ignorant of history of and the workings of our governmental system and what was intended by the founding fathers, my ancestors among them. Here is one difference. In middle school I did a report on a founding father who also happened to be my great, great, great, great, great grandfather and if you are educated you would recognize his name. The only hint I will give you is he signed something important in 1776 on behalf of his state. I got an A for my report. I chose him not simply as a way to brag about a historic connection but because I had been taught from early childhood about our family's participation in the formation of this country so I didn't need to so much research on him. At 12 I wrote a 2000 word essay about him off the top of my head then handed it to my Dad to edit and he could find no errors. Hence my A. More recently, my brother's grandson did the same. Except it was for a "social studies" class. We educate our children in my family, in our country's history filling in gaps the school leaves empty. As the family historian I was asked to edit my grand nephew's paper. He did well. This was not a research paper so he was not expected to cite sources but he did mention a few just the same. I only found one trivial error of dates and handed it back to him expecting he would get an A. He did not. He got an F and the teacher handed the paper back with multiple notes and red highlights indicating errors. At the bottom of the page one note says: "ALL FOUNDING FATHERS OWNED SLAVES AND THEREFORE WERE EVIL MONSTERS! 50% OFF FOR FAILING TO MENTION HIS SLAVE OWNERSHIP!" This particular ancestor/founding father never owned slaves and in fact made a concerted attempt at convincing his fellow founding fathers to free their slaves. He spoke out against slavery many times and wrote against the concept. I checked again and there were NO errors in my nephews paper. The teacher, however was mistaken in every thing she put on his paper especially the last part. I wrote a letter to the principal about this unfair grading and I then cited 47 established and irrefutably proven sources to prove my nephew's paper was 100% accurate. I demanded they change his grade to an A for being correct and apologize to him. The principal wrote back informing me that every source I cited was incorrect because they all contradicted their text book. I read the text book. I won't dignify it by naming it. In a nut shell it was nothing but wholly invented bunk claiming that the entire "white race is evil" and goes on rambling on and on about how we are collectively guilty of the sins of our distant ancestors and about a grand conspiracy to suppress all manner of "truth." In that textbook it even claims that the first president of the United States was actually African. I looked the guy up and he was born after our constitution was written. He was also not involved in national government in any way. THIS is what is being taught in our schools to indoctrinate children in the extreme left fringe of lunacy. I'm a centrist. And in fact, I actually blame the Republicans for this since they were the ones who cut school funding in the first place which left no room in school budgets for courses, real courses in civics. when I was in high school we were required to pass four years of civics, four years of history (two US and two world) and one year of geography. Social Studies was an elective take it or leave it. I took it and it included sections on anthropology, psychology, sociology and some other related topics and was interesting. What passes for social studies today is nothing but politically correct paranoid propaganda and enforced guilt trips.
The brilliant portrayal of Franklin by Tom Wilkinson added a new layer to the story for me. Franklin seems somewhat cavalier over the prospect of rebellion, but at his advanced age he had much less to risk than some of the men in their 30's and 40's. An yet his stubborn nature was crucial in moving things forward.
The American Revolution was supported by merely 1/3rd of the entire North American colonial population, and was seen more as a civil war between loyalists and rebels who called themselves “Patriots” for their colonial nationality and longing for independence and greater liberty and freedom. Our country was truly blessed to have these men as our Founding Fathers, because if it weren’t for them, the U.S. would have collapsed long ago as another failed, one-man dictatorship or never even gain independence from the British Empire for that matter
My ancestors were part of that 2/3rds. The women were obese yet had no breasts, the men had long necks and huge Adam's apples but no chins. One of them died by trying to throw his handkerchief at Washington's horse but broke his wrist in the process, the broken wrist caused such a scream that Washington's horse mounted him and he died. Long story short we fled the USA and became Canadian.
"All 13 clocks must strike at the same second." Back when most communication was sent on paper via ship, horse or on foot. Each town set it's own time, wrist watches didn't exist & pocket watches were for the rich. Amazing they got it done.
It would be almost a century before the first cannonade from units too far separated to hear each other's shots would be synchronized by timepieces, during the American Civil War. Adams is beyond cutting edge here.
@@johnroscoe2406 Either Putin Trump or Beijing Biden. Both parties compromised. You're just too focused on one to see the other for who he really is as well.
One of my favorite scenes of this mini series is after being one of the main rabble rousers and knowing he was on King George's list of those to be hanged if ever caught, John Adams had to present himself to and bow before the king as the US's first ambassador to England. Talk about uncomfortable. I've read that, being an official proceeding, notes were taken at the time, and the dialogue in that scene is word for word what was actually said.
***** Yes I got the book, but right now I am reading Salem witch trials by Marilynne Roach. After I read that book, I will 1776. I bet its going to be awesome. I am not interested in Davids Book about Trumen though.
Has he not examined his own state seal? Does he truly believe he is Virtue, and not the Tyrant lying under her foot? I fear, greatly, that in his arrogance, he cares not a moth-eaten patch, not for Virtue, not for King George, and certainly not for the Founders, or for the people of the state he believes BELONGS to him and his kind.
I love how Hancock becomes increasingly upset and outraged by the patronizing tone of the response, talking about the men in that room as if they were misguided, unruly children who would be treated tenderly if they just started behaving. Then, the gravity in his voice when he reads the alternative.
I love when Hancock reads "For those who persist in their treason..." twice as if to clear his throat after his eyes see the words that followed. Like "Oh sheeeeeeeeit I don't even want to say this next part out loud." Phenomenal casting, acting directing, etc. Minus some historical inaccuracies (very few), the whole damn series is perfect. I watch it once a year.
Did you know that Gen. Cornwallis disliked and was against the treatment of the colonists and the colonies. While he did his duty to the crown, he did not want the war.
Ironically, the taxes that Britain placed on the colonies were extremely small.. quality of life was much better in the colonies, they had a better chance to own land than back in England, and only paid a fraction of the taxes as a citizen of Britain would.. Boston Massacre was caused by a bunch of drunken rabble rousers provoking a British outpost.. colonists tortured innocent people like tax collectors just doing their job... tar and feather left 3rd degree burns. They really had no reason to rebel. It’s like paying an extra nickel for your iced tea at the gas station then murdering your state representative for such “oppression”
@@101trus To be fair, it wasn't the amount of taxes they were furious over, but the fact that Parliament was forcing it on them without giving them a voice. Britain could have resolved it in at least three ways: One, expand Parliament to give the colonies members. Two, set up a colonial parliament for all of the colonists in the Empire to meet and decide taxes. Three, set up a North American specific colonial parliament among others to decide and collect the taxes. Britain could have resolved the problem in any of these ways and still gotten the needed money. Simply put, PM Lord North, George III and the British government screwed up. BIG TIME. Arrogance and lack of long term thinking is what caused a completely avoidable war.
From across the pond. You have to admire these individuals and colonists. They knew they were up against one of the most powerful countries in the world at that time, most likely concerned what the eventual outcome would be. Fortunately they had France on their side to help them win their independence. Along with England having to fight against other backdrops and theatres of war, that expediency took over.
Do not discount the tenacity of the Colonial Army and militia forces. It is true that France and the political situation of the world were instrumental, but American Soldiers bled the British armies badly in the battles of the revolution. We made ourselves ungovernable, at great distance, at the cost of patriot's blood.
@@sangralknight3031 Without the French Navies, there would be no USA. Alot of the mythbuilding done in American schools heavy handedly downplays the French investment in the war.
@@dwarfbard6226 Didn't you read where I said the French navy was instrumental? You are not wrong. But equally so without the continental army there would be no USA. It's not myth building to say that the nation had to put up a good fight in order to exist at all. It's true.
@@sangralknight3031 True. The Continental Army had wolloped the British Army on several occassions (most notably Saratoga) before the French even truly thought about intervening (other than sending weapons). I think sometimes its a bit of a cope among modern British historians that they lost because foreign malefactors rather than simply losing strategically due to the ingenuity of the colonists. This is no insult to the British Army of the period either, they did go on to be on the winning side of the Napoleonic Wars after their loss here. So the Brits did alright after all is said and done.
Britain’s military was a shambles after the end of the prior war in 1763. Many regiments had been paid-off and most ships laid up in ordinary (I.e., rotting in cradles or in shallow, scummy ponds near the docks). Corruption among the Kings Friends, whose sinecure positions enabled them to decide how most of the public budget, was immense. The postwar debt was likewise. Virtuall all the competent general officers had been killed or retired. Britain began the War with one hand tied behind its back, largely as a result of war-weariness and maladministration.
@@Lwis Wrong on all three points. Florida was acquired by Britain in cessation of Louisiana to Spain, and Nova Scotia/Quebec were ceded to Britain by France after the Seven Years War. (So was Louisiana but that was, as aforementioned, given to Spain).
It was said that up until that point some of them viewed the conflict as "a kind of lawsuit". Now it was apparent that the king was just going to use force to crush them instead of finding a way to work things out.
@@jayteegamble Yes, as it says on the label: This was the response to the much vaunted "Olive Branch Petition". Many shown here honestly believed King George would see that they did not consider themselves traitors, and wanted to remain British subjects. Here they learn better.
I watch John Adams' face here--and mind myself of his first meeting with King George as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. Paul Giamatti's performance is absolutely stunning in its detail.
The relationship between the colonies and Great Britain was pretty much shot at the point of the arrival of that proclamation, but imagine if King George hadn't sent such an idiotic message to cut the remaining fragile thread between the colonies and Great Britain. Imagine all of North America being British. The current world would be very very different. Even the world wars would have been drastically different. No neutral US government. Maybe no Dunkirk, nor Pearl Harbor, nor Marshall Plan. Wild. A single proclamation might have changed all that and more. Crazy to think about how much influence a single action can have on the world.
One of the signers, John Dickenson, proposed that the colonies be recognized and represented just like Scotland. I believe Franklin delivered the proposal to the British Parliament after which he was given a severe dressing down, put in his place sort of speak. The world could have been ruled by Great Britain and Spain today. But for their lack of foresight and arrogance, they've regressed back to the small countries that they are today.
It's sort of funny seeing that Ben Franklin is played by the same actor that played General Lord Cornwallis in The Patriot.
...and that Alexander Hamilton went on to play Lord Melbourne in Victoria.
Tom Wilkinson is a damned fine actor.
Our man Tom is versatile.
General The Lord Cornwallis
I know right!!
It is interesting how everyone has a mixture of shock, terror, and despair in their face, and yet Benjamin Franklin just nods like "yup, I knew that is how it was going to go down"
He just came back from Britain after living there for years. This gave him a good understanding of the British government's mindset.
@@Imjustasimpleman5310 not only did he live there but he received such a reception as a "colonial" that he ceased being an Englishman - and was "the First American" --- great book (2002) by H. W. Brands: " The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin"
Before Franklin left Britain he had appeared before a consul just after news of the Boston tea party where he was verbally abused for the actions of the sons of Liberty. He knew exactly how the British would react to Olive branch petition in light of the actions at Lexington and Concord.
That's why Benny gets his face on the $100 Bill
If you anything about the crown it was kinda obvious what would happen.
Several of the original signatories had their homes burnt to the ground. Over a dozen lost their entire fortunes. Many had wives and children jailed, and several were killed in the war. NONE BAILED.
5 of them were killed during the war, serving in as much a military manner as feasibly possible, 7 others bore wounds post-Conflict as a reminder of the oath they swore.
Yet not one yielded or forsook the cause. They never tell many of that, so they wrongfully assume that it was a bunch of rich politicians making political gain for themselves at the expense of the common folk... When the history tells that they suffered immensely.
Imagine if they were around today? The buffoons in the Congress would never get away with the crap they're pulling
The traitors knew they could hide in France if their plot failed. So terrible to see what happened to the USA since then, but what do you expect?
@@moosefactorymullet You misspelled Patriots.
They broke their oath to the King in order to avoid paying tax, then accepted French, Spanish, Dutch protection… not patriotic at all. Read a book.
Up to that point they were British. They may have been across the Atlantic, but they saw themselves as Englishmen. When the response from the King arrived that was over.
Well, they didn’t want separation, it was the very last resort to achieve their liberty and freedom. They didn’t want war or separation, yet when they were not being heard or listened to, they had no choice.
It's actually really startling when you start reading more primary sources of the era how much loyalty and faith was placed in the King personally, even by people who would later become revolutionaries. That seems strange to us today, but at the time the real venom of American anger was targeted towards parliament and the ministers. Many believed that once the King got involved he would redress their grievances. The cult of Monarchy was still strong throughout American society. If George had used the least bit of political tact, he could have easily kept the revolutionaries under control.
The King Betrayed us. We asked but to simply be represented in parliament so that taxation may be argued from our position as well. So that we may have a voice and be given the rights due to us as citizens under his kingship. His Majesty's Response? A spit in our face and an increase in violence. The Crown Betrayed Americans and made us so.
@@Sphere723 George never wanted power. To him it was an annoyance. He simply wanted a peaceful life with his family.
@@tsipher They already had it. Maintaining slavery was the desire.
Imagine modern politicians putting a fraction of that much skin in the game!
Politicians today are more like king george than the Founding Fathers
@@TB-im1ci King George had more guts than the whole of the world's governments combined
Hard times create strong men.
@LegoGuy87 weak men create hard times
@LegoGuy87 Victory is the enemy of constant strength
"John Adams" is one of the best miniseries ever.
Only one I can think of that’s definitely better is band of brothers. The Spy with Sacha Cohen is right up there too.
Horatio Hornblower and Band of Brothers is up there as well
@@BalrogUdun hornblower is cool and I enjoyed it, but unfortunately not really believeable
@@mitchellyoung5564 I'll have to look that up
The Winds Of War is my favorite. Robert Mitchum was magnificent as Victor "Pug" Henry.
"The army recently took shipment of fifty crates of rifles...all without the flints required to shoot them."
Some things never change.
Eh, it's in the on-ship DLC.
He almost laughed saying that.
been like that since the earliest days of civilization. Money to be made wars to be had Armies to scam.
@@Desmaad Yeah. It's absurd how very short-supplied Washington's army was. He needed supplies very desperately.
We have flint and lots of flint knappers.
"All 13 clocks must strike at the same second."
Man, I couldn't imagine trying to unify and get 13 different governments to agree to risk their necks for independence. Especially back then when it took days or weeks to send a message across the country.
Miracle at Philadelphia
You should see the problems they had raising money to supply the army. Extra Credits did a good series on this.
They risk their lives, the future of their country, with an uncertain victory in the war, whereas today's politicians play the game of gambling soldiers lives or not, depending on which will get them elected next term.
Kevin Zhang depends on the country. If Ghana declared war on Ivory Coast, both leaders would be in danger.
@@armorsmith43 But in this case, it's more like Ghana declaring war on China.
When you examine the courage, valor, and humility of our founding fathers it only shames those we call "Members of Congress" today.
You don’t like our members of Congress? Look who elected them. The Americans of today are nothing like the Americans of 1775. They turn out in droves to elect loudmouth perverts like Matt Gaetz and whacked out conspiracy mongers like Marjorie Taylor-Greene. Don’t pretend like none of that isn’t our fault.
@@zatchbell622 they also turn out in droves to elect pathetic idiots like Biden, incompetent snots like Harris, anti-semitic garbage like Omar, vile little tyrants like Pelosi, scheming hypocrites like Schumer, avowed anti-American marxists like Warnock, AOC, Sanders ... shall I go on? With few exceptions, all of these reprehensible Democrat insects do the bidding of their corporate, media and New World Order masters to turn America into a one-party totalitarian state and destroy the republic that these founding patriots risked their lives to create... and that the Greatest Generation fought so valiantly to preserve.
The best thing to do is keep tract of those you elect in you own community, they you can keep honest and an eye on, those in DC are there for themselves only and no one else save one or two exceptions.
Yup, both parties are pieces of s***. Gotta love our two party system.
All of that is true, yet without the intervention of God Almighty in that war, they would have been a footnote amongst history's great losers. No way they should have won that war but for circumstance after circumstance of the hand of Providence seeing them through.
I love Dickenson's face the first time "traitors" is read from the King's proclamation. He really believed in the King being merciful up until that moment. That really rocked his world. Amazing acting from all the cast in this segment, loved it.
He totally stole this scene, Ivanek nailed the wave of emotions of horror as he realized the mother country was not what he thought.
@Kyle Alexander Wilson No. He told them to cease treasonous activities tha directly threaten the British Empire as a whole. The King made it clear that if they were to stop then they would be handled with "tenderness and mercy". They did not stop and instead took the approach of insurrection and treason, so the British Government responded to the threat. The American Government did similar to the Southern states.
@Kyle Alexander Wilson Bearing arms was not the treasonous activity. It was aiming those arms at the King's soldiers. The press were going about their usual thing. The writing's of Paine is a fine example of that. The assembled plenty. They only had to disperse from their assembly when they were causing serious issues to safety or property; like in the modern U.S. Or in the cass of tragic accidents like The Boston Massacre. John Adams defended those soldiers in court. They also assembled in the Continental Congress with representatives from all 13 colonies own governing bodies. Elections where anyone can vote is rather modern though. You can't judge the British Government on that and not the American. Yes the soldiers living in peoples home isn't great. In fact I hate it. I also hate the fact that the American government can justify taking my land through eminent domain. I don't understand how this makes me a traitor. I love my home, being the United States, and specifically the Keystone State Pennsylvania. I'm just pointing out that King George III was not Emperor Palpatine.
exactly, any in that room still clinging to the crown, got a big dose of reality that day
The King was misled -- by his own "designing men" at court, as well as by his royal narcissism and stern, paternalistic German temperament -- into believing that only a small cadre of the conniving disaffected had initiated and conducted the Revolution to date, against the best interests AND WISHES of the mass of the colonists. He failed to see the thing for what it was -- a popular resistance movement enjoying wide support in most of the colonies, albeit one necessarily LED and REPRESENTED by members of the colonies' intellectual and economic elite. His response to the Olive Branch Petition was thus predictably off-base and harmed Britain's own cause. When war came, Britain's strategy was similarly misguided -- the King's armies kept moving from region to region hoping to unlock the "masses of popular support for the Crown" they had been told to expect; but the local Tories were easily intimidated and their military contribution fairly small.
“Got a shipment of 50 crates of rifles without the flints to shoot them”
Good to see congress hasn’t changed a bit
You think our Congress gives our army muskets without flint?
@@umbraemilitos Our congress gave Afghanistan $160 million dollars in aircraft, but not the training to pilot or maintain them. After sitting on the tarmac for a few years, the Afghanistan government scrapped them for junk at pennies on the ton.
@@marktester5799 that's Obama
@@SM-4359 Not to sound like a conspiracy theorist here but it could be that it was some sort of plot to earn money for the weapons manufacturing friends of some politicians with the use of tax dollars, say an appeasement to fund their agendas and future re-elections while minimizing the probable threat that it could pose for the US. I don't know man but US politics is shady as hell sometimes.
@@ttly1384 that's cool but so is the rest of the world, research fast and furious gun sales to Mexican drug cartel
I've been in that room in Philadelphia and it is very inspiring.
When I was a student in Phila., things were very different and I could sit in Washington's chair. Brought a small plastic hammer with me one day to "ring" the Liberty Bell (it was in the foyer then and the clapper was immobilized). On the second floor there are 2 beautiful portraits of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, gifts to the American people. She wore the diamond ear rings you can now see at the Smithsonian. They were gifts from her husband on the occasion of the birth of one of their children. I got into the attic one day but don't remember any details.
It's moments like this where you gotta admire the 56 men that signed the Declaration of Independence (John and Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, etc.) because they all knowingly signed what was essentially their own death warrant if America lost the war or if they were somehow captured before the war's end in 1783. John Adams almost got captured on his diplomatic mission to France in crossing the Atlantic and Philadelphia was captured by the British in 1777. I mean hell, in 1776, the Continental Army was not doing all that well and the French had not yet agreed to lend their support, and yet in spite of all that they still signed knowing the risks.
The continental army never did good. Never prevailed. Never winning a unanimous victory. Just an endless string of fighting retreats until they were cornered in New York. Even the victory at Trenton was only so because so sure of victory was cornwallis and the elite that they ordered most of the army back to England expecting full surrender. There were ships which could have possibly caught the armada, but finding them would have been difficult. It would have then taken months on end to turn south to catch the Westerlies and ride them back to the Caribbean and then back up the coast to Boston and New York. Had they only waited a few weeks more, the end of hostilities would have been markedly different.
I love how people try to downplay the military achievements of the continental forces. You're saying that the only reason that the British lost was their hubris? If that is the case, Britain may have been run by the most incompetent group of men in quite some time. You fail to realize that the British Empire had no stomach for a drawn out war in which began because the empire raised taxes to pay for another recent costly war. The empire had nothing to gain, really. If they lost, it only hurt their pride. The revolutionary war to the citizens of England was more akin to the Vietnam War to Americans during the 1960's-70's.
Ummm, Saratoga??
maxdecphoenix: um what about Saratoga?
The British Army wasn't sent back. It wintered in New York, among other places around the colonies.
I never watched this show but damn this is powerful. The Man who was so sure of sending a petition of peaceful negotiation to the King received a "Submit to me or die." reply. The sheer horror on his face was unfiltered.
It really shows just how much the British government misread the colonies and underestimated them. At every step, from the proclemation of 1763 to the Coercive acts, to the attacks on Lexington and Concord, to the rejection of the Olive Branch Petition, he missed every opportunity to negotiate. He could have just said he was open to negotiation, even if he would make only symbolic gestures, if only to keep the rebels divided. But he didn't think he had to, because he thought he could destroy the rebels anyway.
I highly, highly recommend watching the series. Its absolutely brilliant. Paul Giamatti does his best work as John Adams. It should be required viewing for every Representative and Senator in Congress today.
@@JohnWilliams-zu8wg They’d be ashamed of how far they’ve fallen from our Founders.
@@JohnWilliams-zu8wg The series has some creative liberties but overall it is a brilliant production, worth watching every single episode.
Something too do with war crimes.
At least surrender was on the table.
Aye war crimes,
U.S. history.
It just amazes me the amount of guts, intelligence and fortitude these men had.
They realized (quite wisely) that in order for the revolution to succeed, it had to happen all over the colonies at the same time to keep the British stretched thin. Had simply one state declared independence on its own it would have been utterly crushed by the sheer concentrated might of the British military machine, but altogether, it vastly weakened its ability to concentrate forces in any particular area. That was what wound up being our redeeming strategy.
If they had failed and lost the war, they all would have been tried for treason, likely found guilty and executed.
Agreed, it takes something incredible to go against the most powerful person in the world with your lives on the line.
The founding fathers embodied the proverb - "A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit"
Those statesmen who were on the fence before, now had no other choice but to pick a side. We are lucky that the majority of them chose to persist.
@@jebbroham1776 Also outlasting public support from the UK for them to fight the war, and it had lasted for like 8 years and actually worked. The south in the Civil War tried the same thing but failed, including their attempt for foreign assistance
That's why Ben Franklin said, " We must all hang together, or surely we will hang separately."
Cry Havoc - That is a great line, but there’s no indication that Franklin ever actually said it. It was first published decades later and is probably apocryphal...
HailAnts keyes song wasnt published till later on when he wrote it. Not to farfetched to think he said it.
even if he didn't say it he should have and that's good enough for me.
Leave it to Ben Franklin to come up with...Gallows Humor...at a time like this.
I've seen it said "we will either be great men at the end of this or we will all hang together."
I find a bit of humor in Tom Wilkinson portraying Benjamin Franklin when he also portrayed General Lord Charles Cornwallis in "The Patriot". I do enjoy his performances.
jw870206 I though that was funny as well.
"These rustics are so inept, nearly takes the honour out of victory...nearly"
to bad he could not play them both in the same movie.
jw870206 for God sake, he's a bloody actor, I'm i supposed to be amused he played 2 different parts????
Octavian Caesar Hibernicus Yes. Be amused.
This is the point where we see these men as more than "just men"
These are people putting not just themselves at risk, but thousands of their own people in peril for a cause. A cause that they in their hearts believed to be just and righteous.
God bless America
The King just threatened to unfriend the Colonies....
+Roger inKC (Roger In Kansas City) LOL!
The 18th Century version of unfriending on Facebook
And the 13 Colonies poke the King in response.
More like he threatened to release their nude pix.
This was waaaay before ALL CAPS FLAME WARS began. We're talking distant past unfriending.
Love their faces as it dawns on all of them there's no turning back from this, they have to do this or they're screwed either way.
that is right and guess what they did it. Would we do it today if put in their shoes. I am not so sure.
No, considering how the general populous reacted towards brexit.
@John Isaac Felipe I think there's a pretty big difference between continuing to be ruled by a monarch thousands of miles away without any representation and staying within the EU which is made up of the member nations themselves. Not even close to comparable.
M Weyer Franklin said we must all hang together or we'll all hang separately.
@James Gray It was. And if those loyalists had been willing to fight with the same passion and perseverance as the Continentals, the War of Independence could have turned out very differently. They mostly chose to stay home and hide indoors.
This was read on October 26, 1775 (nearly 245 years ago to the very day) during the first session of the Second Continental Congress. John Adams would continue to persist in trying to get unanimity among the colonies for another 8 months before the Declaration of Independence was ratified and signed by the 56 members present.
Was read about two months later - thats how long transatlantic travel took back then. October 26th was the King's date on the proclamation.
Cornwallis thinks hes slick dressing up as Ben Franklin like that
Lmao
He's playing both sides so he can always come out on top
Howe do you figure?
@@murphyandotherstuff6884 The joke is that the actor for Benjamin Franklin in this mini-series also played as the actor for General Cornwallis in the movie The Patriot.
Which has the hilarious implication of Ben Franklin/Cornwallis rapidly jumping back and forth in different outfits and living the ultimate double-life to play both sides against each other like some sort of one-man Illuminati.
"Treason doth never prosper, what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it Treason." - John Harington
It's only Treason if you Lose....
Reminds me of something I heard in a podcast. “There has never been a successful treason attempt, it’s simply a just revolution when it succeeds”
@@josephmariani9945 I can think of some "successful" attempts at treason, wherein the committing party was purely out for themselves/profit, not for an overthrow of the government. They may not overthrow the government they ostensibly serve, but they do betray it. You are right though, that the failures are often much more loudly pronounced "TREASON!!!" than the successes.
Yeah that’s right the southern states were fighting for the same principles this nation was founded on and it’s only called treason or being a rebel if you lose!!!!!!
Reminds me of a line from 1776. "A rebellion is always legal in the 1st person, such as 'our rebellion'. It's the 3rd person, 'their rebellion' that's illegal "
I had a stroke trying to read that. Had to go over it like 5 times to get it 🤣🤣
One of my two favorite "mini series" John Adams and Band Of Brothers, both just masterpieces from beginning to end. Both make you feel as close to knowing what it must have been like to have lived and died in those times.
Unfortunately, most view those and go quietly back to sleep
@@jeffcooper9363 If you mean they fall into obscurity, I think Band Of Brothers has been recognized for the work it was the the actual soldiers are famous now for their service. John Adams seems to be one of the overlooked founding fathers, and that's crazy cause he loomed large. I hadn't realized he'd defended the British soldiers from the Boston Massacre and won. He was totally against slavery and never had engaged in slave ownership. He also invented the internet and cellphone; just some little known facts. The More You Know! LOL
@@robertkees6048 “be careful what you read on the internet, that’s how ww1 was started” - Abe Lincoln
@@kremesauce Sounds more like Abe Vigoda.
Love Franklin's nod at the end of the proclamation. Like he's saying, "Ok, it's on!"
The nod is "yeah, that's about what i expected"
I guess "it's on!" would have meant the start of the war, Perhaps?
@@DavBlc7 The war had already been going on for a year. Franklin wanted to use George's proclamation to promote the colonies declaring independence from Britain, not to start an already ongoing war.
Franklin had tried hard to keep the peace between the colonies and England. They publicly humiliated him while in England and that was it. He instantly became a revolutionary. He knew there was no turning back.
He was saying: It’s about to get real in the colonies, yo!”
"We will now all hang together. Or must assuredly we will all hang separately." - Benjamin Franklin
Gangsta line. One of the two great lines he drops in this series. So gangsta.
Water town treaty.
Asked Mi,kma,ki for support, some of the first ally of the Americans was the Mi,kma.
Hello from Mi,kma,ki
The thing that makes that line especially "Gangsta" is that history shows he really said it.
Franklin really said that, just in a general meeting of congress, rather than a private conversation.
They kinda miss the obvious third option, stop being a traitor.
@@miyelir aka.... be a grade A Puss-AAA
"All thirteen clocks must strike at the same second." The actual quote to to Benjamin Kent, June 22, 1776, in a letter was, " But remember you can't make thirteen Clocks, Strike precisely alike, at the Same Second." It is beginning to sink in with me how much we owe to these insurrectionists....literally EVERYTHING.
They were not insurrectionists they were rebels. Nice try to make Jan 6th people look good though
@@falconeshield I had no intention to try and make Jan 6th people look good.
re·bel·lion: noun an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler.
"the authorities put down a rebellion by landless colonials"
Similar: uprising revolt insurrection mutiny revolution insurgence
@@falconeshield they are the exact same thing.
Yep - and we're just pissing it away. So very sad, but inevitable I reckon.
I imagine it was a very heady moment for all concerned. There was no going back at that point, sink or swim.
+Daniel Ryan And we are reaching that point AGAIN!!! with this lawless oppressive regime in D.C.
I'm sure some of them saw no choice, either live free, or die a subject of a ruler an ocean away.
thank you captain obvious
@Big Bill O'Reilly God DAMN! Trump
"If a man is good at lying at one thing, he is seldom good at anything else." ~Patrick Henry.
Lying is far too powerful a tool for those with ambition to ignore.
Men of strength. Such as we need NOW.
I'm surprised Benjamin Franklin handled the news so well. Out of the founding fathers he was arguably the most loyal one. So much so that he installed that loyalty to the crown so strongly in his son that the two never reconciled after the rebellion. Franklin's son thought
this betrayed everything he was ever taught to believe.
Franklin's opinion of the British Government had soured years prior to the Declaration, after he was ridiculed on the floor of Parliament for injudiciously exposing the contents of certain confidential letters while acting as Postmaster General for the Colonies and as PA's agent in Britain. He lost his posts, was nearly arrested, and brooded over the matter for the several weeks it took him to return to PA by ship. When he stepped off that boat he was a changed man, unalterably opposed to the Crown and its Government and determined that America should be done with both of them. Franklin was not only incredibly intelligent, but articulate, fairly wealthy, well-connected, self-disciplined, and stubborn about achieving any goal he set for himself. He had a talent for discourse, and for putting complex facts in simple terms that helped others -- even if they were of a different background than his own -- to readily see the plain truth and desirability of any proposition he favored. Arguably he became, with Washington, the most dangerous American the Brits had to face.
@@roberthaworth8991 That's fascinating. I wasn't aware of this background event.
For an overly intelligent threat to the crown, he was nonetheless undermined by one of the most successful spies in British history while in France.
@@roberthaworth8991 I was just about to mention how he was ridiculed on the floor of Parliament. He was English when he went into Parliament, and American when he came out.
Maybe it's just a legend, but as he left Parliament that day, he's supposed to have said "I shall make your King a little man!".
@@roberthaworth8991 Is there any truth to old Benny being a total ladies man and constantly fooling around with any girl that has two legs?
Tom Wilkinson must have studied the evolution of the American dialect for hours and hours to achieve this. He does a fantastic job!
Tom Wilkinson was born and spent his early years in Yorkshire, and his normal speaking voice has traces of that accent. But apparently his family then moved to Canada for a few years and finally came back to the UK and settled in Cornwall. The accent that he uses in this rôle is largely a Westcountry accent, and more authentic to my ears (I am a Devonian, from the next county to Cornwall) than the usual 'Mummerset' accent affected by actors when required to do a Westcountry accent. Since many of the sailors who manned ships sailing to the New World were likely to have been from the West Country, and perhaps many settlers too, their accent would have contributed strongly to the American accent. However, I don't think that Franklin's forebears had any connection with South West England.
Justin Theroux’s reading of the King’s proclamation was quite emotional. Like he’s wondering how his own country could accuse him of treason.
"King George presents himself as this harmless old codger, but inside..."
When he read the "tenderness and mercy" line, you can just HEAR his internal screaming
I had no clue that was him. Very well done.
"We will now all hang together, or most assuredly we will all hang separately."
Franklin, as usual. hit the nail on the head. This was the moment when the impetus for independence happened.
Continental Congress: You gonna fight a war?
Continental Army: You gonna pay us?
Continental Congress: ......
Continental Congress: ✔ Seen at 11:55 PM
Still have the same problems today.
@Chandler Burse This was BEFORE any of that.
Have some 🍞
@@jbloun911 The only bread they're looking for is: 💲💲💲💲💲💲
I remember arriving to this amazing country as a kid and learning about the founding fathers, their courage, their sacrifice, their achievements, I've had no other heroes to admire. w
U must be an immigrant
@@ShivamSharma-or6lz No shit
Last bit of freedom left for the common man on earth... and they're trying to destroy that
That's awesome. A lot of people who were born into this country takes the Founding Fathers for granted.
We need men like this now....
you need lol then do something be the man lol step up if you think have balls
Already did. Half my life. I tried to make a difference. I really did. Spent last several years at the funny shaped building in DC. Hardly made a few scratches for good. I tried. I wasn't a yes man. Spent 24 years in the Army. Retired 90 percent disability. Thought about politics. Doubt I would do any better. Do I need to say more?
modernknightone joining the redcoats to try to make a difference, doesn't work. Gotta face the redcoats head on, like the founders did.
The redcoats run the system. To be an outlaw risks exposure
Rand Paul. Thomas Massie. Austin Petersen.
“We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”― Benjamin Franklin
Love that he keeps a positive mood even in the face of an impending deadly threat
This is from the HBO miniseries "John Adams" in case anyone was wondering.
A great collective acting performance. From Justin Theroux to Paul Giamatti to Tom Wilkinson, and everyone in between, it really showed the collective weight on their shoulders, and that a peaceful resolution was no longer on the table. Most importantly, it showed that this was an all or nothing proposition, cause if they lost, they were dead. At least that is my take on it.
That's exactly how it was. The U.S. is in DESPERATE NEED of teaching U.S. History once again to its youth.
Your take is correct.
@tommyl3207 I would dispute the death part. Some probably would be sentenced as such but I doubt they would be executed.
@@johnnotrealname8168 what about treason would mean the signers of the Declaration of Independence would not have been executed? It’s a thing that used to happen all the time. If any signer had been captured he would have been executed for treason 100% likelihood.
Imagine how much pressure they went through receiving that letter, being threatened by the most powerful empire on earth. AND STILL they fought on!! 💙🙏🙏💙🙏💙🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Britain was not the most powerful empire "on earth" at the time, or even in Western Europe. That title went to the French, the ones who actually won the American Revolution.
>powers that be try to dismiss the concerns of their people as conspiracy theories.
some things never change.
can I say, as a British person, the Americans were right.. they were given no choice.. after this, they had to fight
I can say as an American, England was right in imposing alot of the taxes…. They had just spent an enormous amount of money protecting the colonies.
Dont get me wrong i am a true Patriot but they had every right to tax us lol.
Ahh well were all pals now lol
There are a lot of great portrayals in this series, but an underrated one is Sam Adams. Prior to this mini-series, it had never occurred to me that Sam and John Adams were related. The brotherhood they show is fascinating--both of them so stubborn, but John more level-headed and pompous than his rasher brother, who nonetheless backs John up at every juncture. And here, Samuel's very concise reaction to the King's Proclamation, a statement of defiance which everyone else is too shocked to echo but which nonetheless everyone realizes is completely right.
They were second cousins actually, not brothers. Though since they both grew up in Boston and were of a similar age, it's unsurprising that they formed a close bond.
Fun fact: Sam Adams, as were many generations of his ancestors, was an actual maltster and produced the malt necessary for brewing beer. This is part of the origin of the Samuel Adams beer, introduced in 1984.
Right! I love how they captured that. The shot cuts to Jefferson and he's just staring into space like "Sheeeeeeeeit he's right" and then cuts to John and he quick turns to Sam like "Wow... Indeed".
This series never gets old.
Adams, April Morning, The Madness of King George III and the Patriot with Mel Gibson
What’s the name of this movie or show?
@@ilovemusic6794en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Adams_(miniseries)
@@ilovemusic6794 John Adams (2008). 7 episode miniseries. There is nothing else quite like it.
John Adams - a 7 part series based on the book of the same name by David McCullough. It is very well done, but some reviewers didn’t get it, thinking that the casting for Adams wasn’t “heroic” enough - utterly laughable. This wasn’t Washington or Hamilton. Adams was a man of little physical prowess, but a giant of a brain and an ego to match (the later got him in trouble as a president as he couldn’t work with his own party). His best strength was his wife Abigail who had a brain to match his own and the strength to run a farm (without slaves - she hired free black) and raise and educated their children (one another future president) while he met destiny in the founding of our nation. Some don’t find it “lush” enough compared with British period dramas, but this was colonial America…a backwater of the world at this time, and the sets and locations reflect that.
Benjamin Franklin was one of the last of the Founding Fathers to consent to American independence. He was one of the two postmasters of the colonies. He was a member of the Royal Society. His son was Governor of New Jersey. He had achieved more distinction than any American ever had, and a good part of that was by royal acclaim. During the troubles with the Mother Country, Benjamin Franklin had been one of the chief conciliatory voices, seeking accord between loyalty to the Crown and defense of colonial liberty. For his trouble, he was berated by the King's solicitor, Alexander Wedderburn, before a full Privy Council. Upon the signing of a treaty with the French, recognizing his new country America, Benjamin Franklin wore the same suit he had worn when he was made to be humiliated by the King's agent.
What an absolutely EPIC show. Laura Linney was marvelous as Abigail Adams. Everything she touches turns to gold.
You know, after watching this series the other day (binge watching this is a July 4 ritual for me), the thought occurred to me that maybe this olive branch petition and others that Adams decried as too soft were necessary, so they could at least say "Hey, we tried it your way." This scene should have been the wake-up call that war was the only way out.
That's how I was always taught to be the case
2:30-even Dickenson is like-well hell, we got no choice now, thats for sure.
He looks misty-eyed as if he's thinking, "Dear God, what have we done?"
@@DarthKieduss Or he's thinking: "we're fucked"....
@@antonbruce1241 in the wise words of bender from Futurama: "Well we're boned!"
He knew what a war with England would bring, death and destruction to his people. We needed people like Dickinson to explore all peaceful options before war was on. Now though there's no choice, and his hopes of a kind response from the King are dashed. As much as Dickinson detested war, when war came, he put on a uniform and fought in it.
"God damn the king"! A true patriot talking.
That's Samuel Adams for ya 😁
Piss on the king 👑
Man of a Word.
He said exactly the thing he Should have said.
@@JustinDaniel1234 A fine brewer of beer!
I finally got around to watching the whole John Adams show this past summer over the course of a few days.
Absolutely one of the most powerful shows I have ever watched.
I appreciate shows that try hard to bring the moment to moment of life into history. All to often it is easy to read a few paragraphs from a book in school and walk away with knowledge of events but with no understanding of their impact. Stuff like this helps to show you those events, and bring humanity to the black and white text from the pages.
You know, I really enjoy and appreciate the musical, Hamilton. Where I see fault with it is it is teaching history from one man's viewpoint. Without Adams' perseverance, freedom of the colonies would have "died in congress".
This shows things from Adams' perspective, and Hamilton is seen in a very negative light in this series.
But they were all patriots and heroes.
Hamilton is usually shown in a negative, antagonistic light in pieces about the Revolution. Usually its desirable to show the Revolution from the positive viewpoints of Adams and Jefferson as the heroes, and that often necessitates antagonizing Hamilton.
Personally I don't mind. I probably would have been an anti-Federalist had I lived then anyway.
If you want a better teacher of history (albeit another musical), 1776 (put out in 1972 as an adaptation of a play of the same name) is a very good choice.
Bastard t
Okay, just for perspective: the founders were going up against THE greatest power on the planet at that time. The British were known for conquest and military power. Best Navy, etc. It’s like reading a death note from Darth Vader, you don’t know if you’ll win but there will be a lot of death before and if you do. The fear at this moment in time must have been unimaginable - which makes me appreciate the Founding Fathers including Washington even more for their passion, standing up for what they believe in, and having a pair to say “No, we reject your offer. We’re no longer British but American,” despite almost every element being against them. Mad respect, thank God for this country.
They were british themselves. New england man. New, exactly. Brits were old with them ideas, colonist the New.
Best navy, perhaps, with Spain and France being close contenders.
But certainly not best army. The Prussian and French armies held that distinction. The British army was far smaller than either the Spanish, Prussian, French, Austrian or Russian armies. Redcoats are always portrayed as exceptionally disciplined and professional in movies, but they only seemed that way when compared to the American rebels. Compared to other European soldiers, the British didn't particularly stand out. Like everyone else, they had their elite units (which never set foot on the American continent), and their run-of-the-mill regulars, who were neither better nor worse than their European counterparts.
According to contemporary sources. British soldiers had a reputation of being quarrelsome, insubordinate, and prone to excessive drinking.
The so-called "Hessians", on the other hand, not all of whom were actually from Hessia, usually displayed a higher degree of discipline and professionalism.
Incidentally, the Hessians were not merenaries, even though Americans to this day choose to unfairly denigrate them as such. They were regular soldiers, in the service of their respective princes. It was not the soldiers or even the officers, who sold their service to the British, but rather their own princes, who sold them away.
@@Timrath - There was an old saying in the British Navy:
A messmate before a shipmate,
A shipmate before a stranger,
A stranger before a dog,
and a dog before a soldier.
Things weren't quite so clear at the time. As with all history, particularly when national pride is involved, a lot of conclusions are retrospective, and don't reflect the perceptions at the time. While the British Empire was certainly in ascendency during the American Revolution, its super-power status wasn't realized quite yet. At the time, France, Prussia, and Austria were believed to be the big guys; and Britain was still a pretentious upstart. Britain's supremacy wouldn't be fully recognized until the defeat of Napoleon, which ironically came 32 years after the Revolution. I'd say the founders certainly had a lot on the line, and a lot to fear, but they also held a card that really paid off in the end. They had France in their back pocket, and that proved to be the deciding factor.
"It's like getting a letter from Darth Vader"
Holy Reddit.
If our Founders crawled out of their graves to see America today.... they'd quickly crawl back in... in DISGUST.
They may be revolted by what your country has become, but I don't think they would have crawled back, that's giving them too little credit.
The modern world would scare the shit out of them, whites and blacks living together, mass hysteria! LMAO!
@@lefr33man Good point. Very good point. No cowards in that clan.
Imagine if they'd have lost... Would just be barely remembered enlightenment traitors who sided with France against the motherland. British empire would probably still be ruling the world.
Eddie Actually Britain lost its grip on world power as a result of the world wars in the 20th century. For instance the Empire was actually at its largest extent in the 1920s.
Unlikely, they would have become independent eventually anyway, like Canada or Australia. It would be a very different US though.
@@heiwaboke
Without the US, a delayed French revolution, meaning no Napoleon, meaning no smaller German nations, meaning no United Germany, meaning no world wars.
One alteration of this magnitude alters practically every aspect of the world around us.
@@melonhead82 Exept America didn't helped French revolution in any way because of a risk of reigniting war with England which supported French royalists...
Furthermore, Revolution would happen no matter of the outcome of the American one because overall disaprovement for the way King ruled the country was way too high to contain and US existence or not at that point was not a factor in Robbespierre's plans to over throw the King.
Lets not forget that at the moment when revolution began Bonaparte was already a well known officer of the army (in rank of Captain if i remember correctly) and he did took a part in initial pacification of the revolution... so your "argument" that without America's "appearance" on the world stage he wouldn't exist is very much but false.
And last but not least, let me remind you that Germany was united over 100 years later from the American and French revolutions by Otto von Bismarck and until his Ascendance on the Reich Chancellor Germany was a mess of INDEPENDENT Nations with kingdoms of Bavaria and Saxony as regional powers up front loosely connected with each other by language and that split was dated from earliest times of medieval era in Europe...
To conclude... I would strongly suggest to learn a bit about European history before making another comments... based at false presumptions and personal bias against a nation which played a major role in the world affairs from about beginning of the LAST Century.
@@asheer9114
Which is why I said had the French not helped the Americans, a French Revolution would have been delayed, meaning no rise of Napoleon.
I mentioned nothing about the US helping the French.
Delayed French Revolution does not give the perfect reasons for Napoleon to rise, meaning the Holy Roman Empire states, territories and principalities are not united from Napoleon's success on Continental Europe.
I will also remind you, at the beginning of the revolution, Robbespierre and his Jacobin's were a minor factor. The beginning of the revolution was not about overthrowing or killing the king.
But those factors came about after heightened tensions and the King's attempt to flee to Austria.
Had France not helped the Americans (which is what I said in the comment above, no the American helping the French), then these events would have been delayed and thus any actions by the Jacobins would have been minor.
Certain parts of history are people being in the right place at the right time such as Robbespierre and Napoleon. But without certain factors, they would not have become as well known.
I will also remind you the Unification of Germany under Otto von Bisrmark happened after Napoleon's uniting the small German states of the Holy Roman Empire into what we know as Bavaria, Saxony, Prussia etc.
If it wasn't for Napoleon uniting those states, the the German unification under Bismark and Prussian dominance would not have happened.
Also, Great Britain, not England. At the time, Scotland and England had been united since 1707 so the it was called Great Britain.
As someone who has a Bachelor Honours in History, you misread my comment entirely and went on a rant.
So please read a comment carefully before replying with information that does not relate to the comment.
"A Proclamation by the King: You say the price of my love is not a price you’re willing to pay. You cry in your tea which you hurl in the sea when you see me go by..."
Can you tell me where from this scene is?
@@shahrukhanwar9065 Hamilton, "You'll be back."
@@shahrukhanwar9065 th-cam.com/video/hYr_BdXdpaI/w-d-xo.html
But the proclamation sounds a lot like farmer refuted 🤭
The king’s proclamation: “you’ll be back soon you’ll see you’ll remember you belong to me”
No one really belonged to the king at that time. The monarchy has become powerless since the Glorious Revolution
Thank you, John Adams. You had guts.
What a fascinating time period to have been alive, amazing.
If people only knew this story of these men who were ordered to be hung by the king but never gave up in fighting for the love of this country! Everyone needs to see this series.
hanged
Pro Patria! something today's demented youth have yet to learn..😢
"God saved the king"
"God *damn* the king"
God bless the king lol
***** You don't need Mrs Windsor and her leeches. America you are doing just fine as you are :) keep going!!
many of us in the U.S. love and admire Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II..she is the essence of true class
disoriented1 She is the image of tyranny
Darth Kieduss the Wise
I'm from the U.S....so should probably be quiet..are from the U.K.?
It endures that the most amazing aspect of this history is the number of super egos that accepted compromise among themselves, without losing focus. What the flag should represent.
2:07 - Franklin's facial expression is perfect. You can clearly tell that he is mentally processing various ways to deal with the situation upon hearing this gut-punching news
Of all the men in that room, he was the one least surprised. He'd known from his experiences in Britain that the Olive Branch Petition would fail and thus had months to steel his resolve for what he knew would be inevitable. What's more, that same experience dealing with Parliament personally and being torn down by them had long embittered him to the motherland and had already molded him into a man perfectly willing to be done with them already. He just bided his time in the Congress until the King's response would force the other men to get on board for what was coming.
None should have ever been frightened by this eventuality. All those young lads who stared death in the face in the field were fighting in their name. It's only fair that these men sit in that same boat.
Fighting for their independence and facing death if they fail.
I viewed this series about a year ago. The film helped me anchor my belief that we have a great country despite our current difficulties. The film also illustrated to me that many current leaders have actively shunned their sacred oath to defend our constitutiion. I really ought to view it again soon.
That is hat happens when civics is no longer taught in public schools
@@nunyabiznez6381 What is "that" which you refer to? By the way, the social studies curriculum is under, and has been under great pressure to cover just about everything. If the social studies staffs followed every request, the kids would be in social studies class all day.
@@daveenyart When I attended school 44-58 years ago, high schools, jr. high schools and middle schools taught civics, history and geography and were only just introducing general courses in "social studies." The that which I am referring to is what you lamented, the shunning of their oath. This is due to their not grasping the meaning of their oath. They get away with it because the electorate, at least the younger members of the electorate, are ignorant of history of and the workings of our governmental system and what was intended by the founding fathers, my ancestors among them. Here is one difference. In middle school I did a report on a founding father who also happened to be my great, great, great, great, great grandfather and if you are educated you would recognize his name. The only hint I will give you is he signed something important in 1776 on behalf of his state. I got an A for my report. I chose him not simply as a way to brag about a historic connection but because I had been taught from early childhood about our family's participation in the formation of this country so I didn't need to so much research on him. At 12 I wrote a 2000 word essay about him off the top of my head then handed it to my Dad to edit and he could find no errors. Hence my A. More recently, my brother's grandson did the same. Except it was for a "social studies" class. We educate our children in my family, in our country's history filling in gaps the school leaves empty. As the family historian I was asked to edit my grand nephew's paper. He did well. This was not a research paper so he was not expected to cite sources but he did mention a few just the same. I only found one trivial error of dates and handed it back to him expecting he would get an A. He did not. He got an F and the teacher handed the paper back with multiple notes and red highlights indicating errors. At the bottom of the page one note says: "ALL FOUNDING FATHERS OWNED SLAVES AND THEREFORE WERE EVIL MONSTERS! 50% OFF FOR FAILING TO MENTION HIS SLAVE OWNERSHIP!" This particular ancestor/founding father never owned slaves and in fact made a concerted attempt at convincing his fellow founding fathers to free their slaves. He spoke out against slavery many times and wrote against the concept. I checked again and there were NO errors in my nephews paper. The teacher, however was mistaken in every thing she put on his paper especially the last part. I wrote a letter to the principal about this unfair grading and I then cited 47 established and irrefutably proven sources to prove my nephew's paper was 100% accurate. I demanded they change his grade to an A for being correct and apologize to him. The principal wrote back informing me that every source I cited was incorrect because they all contradicted their text book. I read the text book. I won't dignify it by naming it. In a nut shell it was nothing but wholly invented bunk claiming that the entire "white race is evil" and goes on rambling on and on about how we are collectively guilty of the sins of our distant ancestors and about a grand conspiracy to suppress all manner of "truth." In that textbook it even claims that the first president of the United States was actually African. I looked the guy up and he was born after our constitution was written. He was also not involved in national government in any way. THIS is what is being taught in our schools to indoctrinate children in the extreme left fringe of lunacy. I'm a centrist. And in fact, I actually blame the Republicans for this since they were the ones who cut school funding in the first place which left no room in school budgets for courses, real courses in civics. when I was in high school we were required to pass four years of civics, four years of history (two US and two world) and one year of geography. Social Studies was an elective take it or leave it. I took it and it included sections on anthropology, psychology, sociology and some other related topics and was interesting. What passes for social studies today is nothing but politically correct paranoid propaganda and enforced guilt trips.
The brilliant portrayal of Franklin by Tom Wilkinson added a new layer to the story for me. Franklin seems somewhat cavalier over the prospect of rebellion, but at his advanced age he had much less to risk than some of the men in their 30's and 40's. An yet his stubborn nature was crucial in moving things forward.
The American Revolution was supported by merely 1/3rd of the entire North American colonial population, and was seen more as a civil war between loyalists and rebels who called themselves “Patriots” for their colonial nationality and longing for independence and greater liberty and freedom. Our country was truly blessed to have these men as our Founding Fathers, because if it weren’t for them, the U.S. would have collapsed long ago as another failed, one-man dictatorship or never even gain independence from the British Empire for that matter
That 1/3 included my ancestors that were cannon-cockers for Gen. Knox. They served under Gen. Washington in his Continental Army.
My ancestors were part of that 2/3rds.
The women were obese yet had no breasts, the men had long necks and huge Adam's apples but no chins.
One of them died by trying to throw his handkerchief at Washington's horse but broke his wrist in the process, the broken wrist caused such a scream that Washington's horse mounted him and he died.
Long story short we fled the USA and became Canadian.
And then look around and see where we are today. :(
And if we had remained British?
Less than 3% actually fought
"All 13 clocks must strike at the same second." Back when most communication was sent on paper via ship, horse or on foot. Each town set it's own time, wrist watches didn't exist & pocket watches were for the rich. Amazing they got it done.
It would be almost a century before the first cannonade from units too far separated to hear each other's shots would be synchronized by timepieces, during the American Civil War. Adams is beyond cutting edge here.
It was a figure of speech, obviously.
its
I never realized how impressive the cast was
Ain't no sun going to shine on me and say fucke me
I’ve seen a few clips; I’m English and this does look like a good movie to watch.
2:19 Sam Adams had the appropriate response
John Adams.
"Independence without unanimity means nothing." -Benjamin Franklin
*THIS APPLIES TODAY*
I don't think that statement makes any sense at all in a vacuum. The context is important.
Yeah, "This applies today," tell that to the fucking Trumpers who have chosen Putin's Puppet over their country.
Trump lives in your brain rent free. How cute. 😂
@@johnroscoe2406 Either Putin Trump or Beijing Biden. Both parties compromised. You're just too focused on one to see the other for who he really is as well.
One of my favorite scenes of this mini series is after being one of the main rabble rousers and knowing he was on King George's list of those to be hanged if ever caught, John Adams had to present himself to and bow before the king as the US's first ambassador to England. Talk about uncomfortable. I've read that, being an official proceeding, notes were taken at the time, and the dialogue in that scene is word for word what was actually said.
Biography of John Adams is better on paper; I got David McCullough's book on John Adams. It gives more detail.
***** Yes I got the book, but right now I am reading Salem witch trials by Marilynne Roach. After I read that book, I will 1776. I bet its going to be awesome.
I am not interested in Davids Book about Trumen though.
Duhhh......EVERY book ever written gives us more details than what movies provide. And guess what? Water is often very wet....
Yawn....wish I had a dollar for each time "oh, the book's so much better," was said. Yawn.....
McCullough's book is a great read!
@@vilstef6988 I second that! 1776 is also a damned good book.
"...I will send a fully-armed battalion to remind you of my love! Da da da da daaaaaa..."
Great production. Remember seeing this years ago. Truly outstanding. Dialogue was exceptional and stellar in ever regard.
2:14
"Yea we're fucked"
The governor of Virginia must admire King George.
Has he not examined his own state seal? Does he truly believe he is Virtue, and not the Tyrant lying under her foot? I fear, greatly, that in his arrogance, he cares not a moth-eaten patch, not for Virtue, not for King George, and certainly not for the Founders, or for the people of the state he believes BELONGS to him and his kind.
2:24: "Let's see your Quaker sensibilities solve this one, Mr. Dickinson", tbf I actually really felt for Dickinson in this scene
I love how Hancock becomes increasingly upset and outraged by the patronizing tone of the response, talking about the men in that room as if they were misguided, unruly children who would be treated tenderly if they just started behaving. Then, the gravity in his voice when he reads the alternative.
*Samuel Adams: "Correction, Mr Hancock. F**K the King!" LOL*
I love when Hancock reads "For those who persist in their treason..." twice as if to clear his throat after his eyes see the words that followed. Like "Oh sheeeeeeeeit I don't even want to say this next part out loud."
Phenomenal casting, acting directing, etc. Minus some historical inaccuracies (very few), the whole damn series is perfect. I watch it once a year.
I love how Cornwallis is Ben Franklin.
Did you know that Gen. Cornwallis disliked and was against the treatment of the colonists and the colonies. While he did his duty to the crown, he did not want the war.
Also, General Gage's wife was a Bostonian, who may or may not have been one of Washington's spies.
The response from the Colonies was, "Bring it!"
"Come at me bro" George Washington probably.
These men knew there was a fate worse than death. And that’s life on your knees.
Ironically, the taxes that Britain placed on the colonies were extremely small.. quality of life was much better in the colonies, they had a better chance to own land than back in England, and only paid a fraction of the taxes as a citizen of Britain would.. Boston Massacre was caused by a bunch of drunken rabble rousers provoking a British outpost.. colonists tortured innocent people like tax collectors just doing their job... tar and feather left 3rd degree burns. They really had no reason to rebel. It’s like paying an extra nickel for your iced tea at the gas station then murdering your state representative for such “oppression”
@@101trus right? And a select group of people today think they are “oppressed” today. The nerve of the British though.
@@101trus To be fair, it wasn't the amount of taxes they were furious over, but the fact that Parliament was forcing it on them without giving them a voice. Britain could have resolved it in at least three ways: One, expand Parliament to give the colonies members. Two, set up a colonial parliament for all of the colonists in the Empire to meet and decide taxes. Three, set up a North American specific colonial parliament among others to decide and collect the taxes. Britain could have resolved the problem in any of these ways and still gotten the needed money. Simply put, PM Lord North, George III and the British government screwed up. BIG TIME. Arrogance and lack of long term thinking is what caused a completely avoidable war.
America's conception is one of the coolest stories ever.
From across the pond. You have to admire these individuals and colonists. They knew they were up against one of the most powerful countries in the world at that time, most likely concerned what the eventual outcome would be. Fortunately they had France on their side to help them win their independence. Along with England having to fight against other backdrops and theatres of war, that expediency took over.
Do not discount the tenacity of the Colonial Army and militia forces. It is true that France and the political situation of the world were instrumental, but American Soldiers bled the British armies badly in the battles of the revolution. We made ourselves ungovernable, at great distance, at the cost of patriot's blood.
@@sangralknight3031 Without the French Navies, there would be no USA. Alot of the mythbuilding done in American schools heavy handedly downplays the French investment in the war.
@@dwarfbard6226 Didn't you read where I said the French navy was instrumental?
You are not wrong. But equally so without the continental army there would be no USA.
It's not myth building to say that the nation had to put up a good fight in order to exist at all. It's true.
@@sangralknight3031 True. The Continental Army had wolloped the British Army on several occassions (most notably Saratoga) before the French even truly thought about intervening (other than sending weapons). I think sometimes its a bit of a cope among modern British historians that they lost because foreign malefactors rather than simply losing strategically due to the ingenuity of the colonists. This is no insult to the British Army of the period either, they did go on to be on the winning side of the Napoleonic Wars after their loss here. So the Brits did alright after all is said and done.
Britain’s military was a shambles after the end of the prior war in 1763. Many regiments had been paid-off and most ships laid up in ordinary (I.e., rotting in cradles or in shallow, scummy ponds near the docks). Corruption among the Kings Friends, whose sinecure positions enabled them to decide how most of the public budget, was immense. The postwar debt was likewise. Virtuall all the competent general officers had been killed or retired. Britain began the War with one hand tied behind its back, largely as a result of war-weariness and maladministration.
Such a good miniseries, I wish they would do another
God this was a great show
Every colony but New York voted for independence. New York had to abstain owing to delayed instructions.
Not to mention Georgia did not show up nor did they agree with independence since they needed the British Army to fend off violent Natives.
You do realize there were OTHER British colonies that didn't give a shit about "independence". Nova Scotia, Quebec etc.
+Richard Schiffman What's your point?
kevin3224 wasn't Florida Spanish?Nova Scotia and Quebec were still French.
@@Lwis Wrong on all three points.
Florida was acquired by Britain in cessation of Louisiana to Spain, and Nova Scotia/Quebec were ceded to Britain by France after the Seven Years War. (So was Louisiana but that was, as aforementioned, given to Spain).
The actor who played John Hancock was phenomenal as he read the proclamation.
Yet some would call these virtuous gentlemen "Old, white men."
And we owe our liberty to these ' Old, White men '. These ' 1%'ers of their time '
@@dave131 1%ers fighting .001%ers
those people are soon to be called subjects of the socialist united states
@@babayaga1767 not without disagreement.
Yeah and some would call the earth flat, whats your point?
Benjamin Franklin reaction when he learns he could be hanged: it is what it is
Well if there's anyone who shouldn't be afraid of death, it's an old man.
Ben Franklin was just like " ya wtf did you think was gonna happen " lol
They couldn't have been shocked that the punishment would be hanging.
Kyle899 One thing to know it, another to hear it.
Well, one could always spit into their faces at the Palace and kicked their butts at the Tower...
There’s a big difference between having knowledge of the consequence of a decision and actually having the proverbial axe aimed at your neck.
It was said that up until that point some of them viewed the conflict as "a kind of lawsuit". Now it was apparent that the king was just going to use force to crush them instead of finding a way to work things out.
@@jayteegamble Yes, as it says on the label: This was the response to the much vaunted "Olive Branch Petition". Many shown here honestly believed King George would see that they did not consider themselves traitors, and wanted to remain British subjects.
Here they learn better.
I watch John Adams' face here--and mind myself of his first meeting with King George as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States. Paul Giamatti's performance is absolutely stunning in its detail.
One of the BEST scenes in the movie...not so much the words, but their expressions!!!
I believe the actor who plays Ben Franklin played Lord Cornwallis in The Patriot.
0:42 I can't believe Bryce prefers the King's letter to mine.
The relationship between the colonies and Great Britain was pretty much shot at the point of the arrival of that proclamation, but imagine if King George hadn't sent such an idiotic message to cut the remaining fragile thread between the colonies and Great Britain. Imagine all of North America being British. The current world would be very very different. Even the world wars would have been drastically different. No neutral US government. Maybe no Dunkirk, nor Pearl Harbor, nor Marshall Plan. Wild.
A single proclamation might have changed all that and more. Crazy to think about how much influence a single action can have on the world.
Perhaps no world wars at all.
Frenchies came in late but had a say in defeating the British... thoughts of Revolution we're already brewing in France.
@@wholeNwon We didn't start those World Wars.
One of the signers, John Dickenson, proposed that the colonies be recognized and represented just like Scotland. I believe Franklin delivered the proposal to the British Parliament after which he was given a severe dressing down, put in his place sort of speak. The world could have been ruled by Great Britain and Spain today. But for their lack of foresight and arrogance, they've regressed back to the small countries that they are today.
Seriously how did they pull this off.