The American Revolution

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a new six-part, 12-hour documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt examines how America’s founding turned the world upside-down.

Watch • 2:20

Official Trailer | The Revolution that Changed the World

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a new six-part, 12-hour documentary from Ken Burns.

Preview: 2:20

Thirteen American colonies unite in rebellion, win an eight-year war to secure their independence, and establish a new form of government that would inspire democratic movements at home and around the globe. What begins as a political clash between colonists and the British government grows into a bloody struggle that will engage more than two dozen nations and forever change the world.

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Clips from The American Revolution

'One Common Cause'

Historian Christopher Brown. The American Revolution premieres November 16.

'The American Revolution Changed The World'

Historian Stephen Conway. The American Revolution premieres November 16.

'The Extraordinary Thing About the Patriot Side'

Historian Jane Kamensky. The American Revolution premieres November 16.

'No One Expects Country Farmers Are Going to Hold Off a Trained Army'

Historian Stacey Schiff. The American Revolution premieres November 16.

'We Would Not Have Had a Country Without Him'

Historian Annette Gordon-Reed. The American Revolution premieres November 16.

'We Are in the Very Midst of a Revolution'

John Adams, read by Paul Giamatti. The American Revolution premieres November 16.

Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.