Watching this as well. It is excellent. Obviously, it is a story that's well known to us, but somehow Burns still finds ways to make it fresh. I found it interesting King George and his advisors felt that American independence was a slippery slope that put the entire empire at risk. That would explain why they invested an inordinate amount of blood and treasure to bring us back under their heel.
I found this thread fascinating. George Washington fought as a part of the Virginia militia in the French and Indian war. The militia that Washington was commanding, came upon a French and Indian and encampment and attacked it. Though they were successful the French retaliated, and he was ultimately forced to surrender. Washington's attack on the encampment was the opening battle of the French and Indian War, which went on to become the worldwide Seven Years War. Britain prevailed, but the cost to them was enormous and led them to want to tax the American colonies to build back up their treasury. So, arguably Washington was indirectly the root cause of the taxation issue that led to American independence.
Also interesting is that Washington wanted to be a British officer. After the French and Indian surrender, he retired, but later was given the opportunity to be second in command for the Virginia militia. In one particular battle, which they lost, their commander was killed so Washington took command and was able to successfully negotiate the retreat. He had two horses shot out from under him, two bullet holes through his coat and one through his hat. Washington thought that this action, which the defeat was still viewed as heroic because of the successful retreat, would earn him a British commission. When it did not, he retired again.
One wonders what would've happened. Had he been offered that commission? Would he be remembered like Gage or Cornwallis?
In an event, Burns is the master of the documentary and this one is excellent.
