It’s 1775, and the plains of North America have
been thrust into war. From Lexington to Yorktown, brother will fight brother as the once loyal
13 colonies fight for the mother country, or for liberty and a new era. This is the story
of the American Revolution. Join as we explore the key battles, the strategies, and the politics
that will one day lead to the birth of a nation. Over 150 years before the battle of Lexington and
the shots that will start the American Revolution, Europeans first began colonising the Americas.
They settle in places like Jamestown and Quebec, and by the 1750s, the colonies have
transformed, from precarious trading posts, to vast and complicated settlements
divided by the leading powers of Europe. The British colonists bring with them a democratic
tradition and fundamental rights, won over hundreds of years of warfare and rebellion.
And with a high proportion of land-owners, 60% of the male European population are eligible
to vote; a far higher number compared to Britain. Most of the 13 colonies have appointed or elected
Royal Governors, who are nominally in charge; their power being checked by local
representative assemblies and councils. The elected assemblies decide on issues from
local tax to militia budgets, but new laws, including the levying of new taxes, are
also issued from Parliament in London, who perceive their authority
over the colonies as absolute. In 1756 the first truly global conflict erupts,
the Seven Years War. North America becomes a key battle ground between Great Britain and her old
enemy, France. Both sides rely heavily on native allies, but colonial militias are also vital
for the British in gaining an upper hand in the conflict, who now play a leading role
in shaping their future on the continent. Although the British prevail and become
the undisputed power in North America, they end the conflict financially ruined,
and increasingly expect the colonies to burden some of the financial costs of their
defence. But because they see colonists as already represented in Parliament
by virtue of being British subjects, they equally see no reason to consult the colonial
governments directly on how to raise these funds. Many in Great Britain are angered by the
idea of taxing British subjects without formal representation in Parliament, as many of
the colonists desire. This includes Britain’s wartime leader during the Seven Years war, William
Pitt, who tells the House of Commons in 1766: “It is my opinion that this kingdom
has no right to lay a tax upon the colonies… It cannot continue a century. If
it does not drop, it must be amputated.” In the colonies, the levying of new taxes
without consent is becoming a serious grievance. And although loyal to the King, George III,
many colonists view their rights as Englishmen, including having a local representative
government, as being ignored by an out of touch and duplicitous Parliament 3,000 miles away.
After several failed attempts at raising revenue in the 1760s, anger and resistance begin to rise
to Parliament’s meddling throughout the colonies. In 1767 the Government in London attempts
to demonstrate its power through a series of laws known as the Townsend Acts, which it
hopes will both raise much needed funds, and crucially pave the way for future laws that will
make the colonies financially self-sufficient. The plans backfire, and the Townsend
Acts only pour fuel on to the fire. In Boston, riots break out, leading to the
deployment of the regular army to protect local officials. Tensions boil over in the city,
and an angry crowd provoke soldiers into firing. Five colonists lay dead in what will soon be known
as the Boston Massacre. Although the soldiers, known locally as “regulars”, are removed from
Boston, tensions in the city remain high. Three years later, to protest laws that undercut
the price of smuggled tea, Bostonians dressed as native americans board East India Company ships,
and pour £9,000 of goods into the harbour. The British Government’s reaction is swift, and
severe. To send a message across the colonies, they introduce what will soon become
known as the Intolerable Acts, which includes replacing self-governance in
Massachusetts with direct British control. However, instead of discouraging
further acts of rebellion, the Intolerable Acts lead to the First
Continental Congress i n October 1774. In the city of Philadelphia, delegates meet from
across the Colonies to discuss a united response. Those who desire independence, known as Patriots,
are still in the minority, as most representatives still do not want a break from the Crown. But
Parliament’s arrogance must be confronted, and a resolution is made to boycott British
goods until the Intolerable Acts are repealed. In Boston, more extreme measures are taken.
The now disbanded colonial assembly forms the Massachusetts Provincial Congress,
and starts training a militia for war. Massachusetts is declared to be in open
Rebellion by the new British authorities, who occupy the city of Boston but little else. The scene is set for a showdown
between Parliament and the Colonies. British General, Thomas Gage, is
dispatched to Boston to take command of the quickly deteriorating situation.
He knows the land well, having fought the French in North America years earlier,
alongside colonists like George Washington. Although suppressing rebellions and fighting
wars in different continents is nothing new to the British army, few of Gage’s 4000 men have
seen actual combat. The General quickly begins regular patrols across the countryside from his
headquarters in Boston, in a show of force to the rebel Provincial Congress, and to boost
the morale of his own beleaguered forces. But General Gage does not want war, and
he plans to prevent it by capturing or destroying military supplies in lightning
raids across Massachusetts. These raids have limited success, and mostly serve to help
better organise the colonial militias, with many units now being designated as ‘Minutemen’, who
are able to rapidly respond to British movements. Confrontations between British regulars and
Colonial forces remain bloodless, and where the forces do meet, they only trade insults
with the occasional fist fight breaking out. The Regulars are used to seeing armed militia
protests, which are a common feature of colonial life, where locals demonstrate their rights as
Englishmen as opposed to threatening violence. In March 1775 however, the more radical
Massachusetts Provincial Congress decides that any large British force leaving Boston, is now to be
opposed with armed resistance. At the same time, Gage receives his own escala-tory orders from an
intransigent Government in London, to dis-arm the Colonial militias and imprison the ringleaders,
setting the two sides on a collision course. Gage hatches a plan to capture the rebel
leadership, and large military stores in the nearby town of Concord. In one fast and secret
expedition, he hopes to deal a fatal blow to the nascent Colonial revolt. He prepares a small force
of 700 men under Lieutenant Colonel Smith, giving him strict instructions to respect the rights of
the local inhabitants and their private property, but also, to request reinforcements if resistance
is met. But, the Massachusetts rebels have been expecting such a move, and the evening before the
raid, Patriots catch wind of the plans in Boston and ride out to warn the Congress leadership
and militias, narrowly avoiding British patrols. Because the land route to Concord is closely
watched by rebel sympathisers, in the early hours of the 19th of April, Smith’s force row
across the bay, in an attempt to maintain the element of surprise. They disembark into waist
deep water, and by 2am begin their 18 mile march to Concord in soaking boots. Because no resistance
is expected, to speed up their movement each soldier is carrying limited ammunition, a decision
that would prove disastrous later in the day. As the British march, colonial riders
spotted moving West ahead of the column. Smith then hear’s reports from his forward
units that large militia forces are gathering in Lexington, unnerving news, which quickly
spreads throughout the ranks. Smith knows they’ve lost the element of surprise, and sends
word back to Boston asking for reinforcements As British forces arrive in Lexington, the
town’s militia is present. As with previous confrontations, neither side expect bloodshed,
and the militia of 80 men under the command of John Parker is purposefully not blocking the road
to Concord, or intending to fight regular troops. Parker tells his men: “Stand your ground; don't fire unless fired upon, but if they
mean to have a war, let it begin here”. Without orders, a British
advanced guard moves onto the Lexington common instead
of marching past to Concord. Commanders on both sides tell their men not
to fire, and the militia is told to disperse. 100 local spectators watch on curiously, as the
two forces casually hurl insults at each other. As the militiamen slowly begin to leave, a single
shot rings out from somewhere on the surrounding common. In the immediate confusion, other shots
start to be fired from both sides, until a British company, volley fires without orders. Although
those on the field do not know it, the first blood has been spilt of the American Revolutionary War,
and 8 militiamen lay dead on Lexington Common. Smith regains control of the situation and berates
his stunned officers, reminding them of Gage’s orders. The troops are recalled, and the march
continues apace to Concord. The day is young, and Smith hopes they can still complete their mission
despite the unwelcomed setback at Lexington. Upon arrival into Concord, the British search
buildings where residents give them permission, and burn the small amounts of contraband they can
find. But there are no rebel leaders, or large military stores - as anything or anyone of value
has been dispersed hours earlier by the rebels. By 9am, 400 colonial militia have concentrated in
the surrounding hills under the command of Colonel Barrett. They have heard rumours of the events at
Lexington, and now see smoke coming from Concord. Assuming that the regulars are burning
the town, many are surprised and angered by the apparent escalation, but are
not afraid to meet fire with fire. The exhausted British regulars resting
in the town, are still unaware of the dramatic change of sentiment, or of
the large numbers of militia that are slowly surrounding their position. Now
watched on by the evacuated townspeople, Barrett and the militia resolve to
save the town, and they advance. Barrett’s force quickly rout the 90 regulars
holding the bridge, but likely stunned by both the escalation and their success,
they fall back to the hill and regroup. There are now over 1000 militia surrounding
Concord, and Smith knows it is time to leave. The regulars spread out beyond on the road for
protection, and start the march back towards Lexington. But columns of militia are ominously
shadowing their movements, and a race begins to the first bridge. The situation has now
seriously changed for Smith and his men, who are perilously outnumbered, and far
away from the safety of Boston harbour. Shots start to ring out, and the Regulars
take casualties as they cross the bridge. British skirmishers attempt to flank the militia
who position themselves well behind walls, trees, undergrowth. Those they catch are
killed, but most of the militiamen have spent years fighting and living in
the rugged terrain of North America, and deliver disciplined and effective
musket fire before moving positions. As the speed of march increases in sheer
desperation, the regulars are repeatedly ambushed, by the now over 2000 strong
militia. Casualties are starting to mount, as the Brit-ish tactical formations are no use in
the wooded countryside, and what little ammunition they have starts to run low. They spread out
where they can, but at narrow passes, like the now infamous Bloody Angle, discipline and cohesion
start to break as the force fights for its life. The Lexington Militia under Parker, who were scattered by the British just 8 hours
earlier, are now back and ready for revenge. Parker prepares his men well in a wooded hill
overlooking the road. As they open fire, the British commander, Lieutenant Colonel Smith, is
hit in the leg and falls from his horse wounded. Desperate fighting continues up to a last
ambush outside of Lexington, where the British, now exhausted from 14 hours of marching and
fighting, are on the verge of surrender. Smith and his men stagger into the town, defeated by the superior tactics, tenacity,
and the sheer number of Colonial militia. But just as all hope seems lost, cheers erupt
in the British ranks - Smith’s message for reinforcements has been answered. Under
the command of Earl Percy, 1000 British regulars are now surrounding Lexington with
two field guns. Percy, taking overall command, reorganises Smith’s battered force and rests
them in the town. But the battle is not over, and although reinforced, the British are still
hopelessly outnumbered by the now 4000 strong Colonial Militia, who show no signs of being
cowed by the presence of British reinforcements. Percy soon continues the march, with Smith’s
battered formation in the middle of the column. A militia general, William Heath, arrives to
take overall command of the colonial forces. He orders the militia to now avoid large
British formations because of the threat posed by the deadly field guns. Heath’s forces
must continually rotate to engage the British along the road, a time consuming and
difficult manoeuvre to carry out. Desperate street fighting and bloody
hand-to-hand combat occurs as the British column enters the town of Menotomy.
Some atrocities are committed by desperate and frightened British troops, as each
building is cleared of sharpshooters. Many are killed on both sides in Menotomy,
including one militiaman who dies fighting from his home, telling his comrades
“An Englishman's home is his castle”. The militia has a large force organised and
waiting at Cambridge, but Percy decides instead to march towards Charlestown, rightfully cautious of
a trap. As the final hill is cleared of militia, the British column limps into Charlestown, to
the safety of Boston harbour and Royal Navy guns. The first battle of the American Revolution
is over. And although it saw relatively minor casualties on both sides, the battle is
nonetheless monumental. The war has now begun, and as the Patriot leader, John Adams, later
writes, “the die is cast, and Rubicon crossed”. In the aftermath of the battle, and in what must
have felt like the world turning upside down, trenches and redoubts are dug around
the city, and Boston is put to siege. In the days and weeks following the battle,
volunteers from all over the 13 colonies march to join the army, and the militia transforms
into a truly American force for the first time. Although they may lack the equipment and
the professionalism of a modern army, they have nonetheless succeeded in their first
test, of what will soon become a gruelling war. General Gage’s strategy to prevent conflict
has dramatically failed, along with the British Government’s plan to force colonial
compliance without the consent of its people. In London, Parliament quickly blames Gage
for recklessly starting a civil conflict, despite the fact he was following their orders. And even as the shots at Lexington are heard
around the world, Parliament’s position will not budge, and British reinforcements
are soon dispatched to the colonies. What started out as civil and legal arguments
over rights and taxation, has now transformed into outright war in Massachusetts. The
opening battle has ended in Colonial victory, but the battle at Lexington is just beginning,
and the British will soon strike back. Thank you for watching our first episode
on the American Revolution. Join us again soon for future videos, and if you like
our channel and want to support us grow, please consider liking and
subscribing. Until next time.
