VaqueroTD
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Watching Ken Burns new documentary about Revolutionary War. So that's the theme of this post. Not very far in yet, but it's a good watch. Typical Ken Burns history documentary. If you like his films, and like history, you'll enjoy it.
- British sealed their fate by being prissy snots and denying George Washington entrance into British Military because he was a lowly colonist, and this was with him being a hero in French & Indian War. GW took it personal, retired from military life, and came back and whipped.. well, you know rest of the story.
- 2% of British population (the aristocracy) owned most of the land in England which is why colonists came in droves. Typical Brit family spent hundreds of years as laborers indebted to someone. In America, they actually got their own land and farm. And I agree with the historian that says the Revolutionary War is really just about land. It started French and Indian War because colonists (including George Washington) were kicking Indians off their land and seizing the property. And having British start to take control and tax without representation had the colonists fearing they would lose everything they had built.
- GW was a stud. They talked about the French/Indian War battle where he took command and saved his mens lives. 6'3", had that "look" some people have that humbles you, best horse rider in cavalry, and new to me, didn't realize how rich he already made himself before the war. Mentioned above, did things we wouldn't accept today like how he treated Native Americans, and was a HUGE slave owner. But as one historian put it in documentary, realizing all these founding fathers were flawed men helps you understand history better, and putting them on unreachable pedestals is not true to human nature and doesn't help you learn the lessons of history.
- Caribbean colonies made more money for Europe than the 13 mainland colonies. The more slaves you had, the more money you made. Haiti, Jamaica, etc all were about 90% slaves in population. It's also why South Carolina was richest colony, followed by Virginia. Massachusetts was poorest colony because it had least amount of slaves.
- Even then, the diversity in America was unheard of in its time. Native Americans (many who did decide to live in the colonies), Europeans from all over, Africans, and what stunned all who came from Europe were all the denominations of Christianity. In Europe, whatever the King worshipped, was what you worshipped. British thought this would play to their advantage and all colonies would never be able to unite. (Which almost happened)
- Democracy was looked down upon by Europe. They viewed it as a rabble rouser form of government where unscrupulous and fiery individuals could take advantage of mob mentalities. England was viewed as the best type of government at the time. A 3-part split of monarchy, House of Lords (aristocracy) and Prime Minster/People. All divisions keeping each other honest.
