Ep 2. Seeds of Independence

American Ride season 1 episode 2 is titled "Seeds of Independence." In this episode, the host Stan Ellsworth takes us on a journey through the events that led to the American Revolution.

We start by learning about the early colonial period and the uneasy relationship between the colonists and the British monarchy. We hear about the Proclamation of 1763, which forbade settlers from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains, and the Stamp Act of 1765, which imposed a tax on all printed materials. These acts caused widespread anger among the colonists and were seen as clear violations of their rights as British citizens.

The Sons of Liberty soon emerged as a voice for the people, and we learn about the Boston Tea Party of 1773, where members of the Sons of Liberty boarded a British ship and threw thousands of pounds of tea overboard in protest of the tea tax. This event was a turning point in the lead up to the Revolution.

We also learn about the First Continental Congress, which was held in Philadelphia in 1774. Here, representatives from each of the thirteen colonies gathered to discuss their grievances with the British government and to plan a course of action.

Finally, we come to the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, which were the first military engagements of the Revolution. We learn about the key players in these battles, including Paul Revere and the Minutemen, and how they set the stage for the long and bloody struggle for independence.

Throughout the episode, Ellsworth brings these key events to life through his engaging storytelling and by visiting historical sites and landmarks. We see replicas of colonial weapons and clothing and learn about the day-to-day lives of ordinary people living in this tumultuous time.

Overall, "Seeds of Independence" is a fascinating and informative episode that helps viewers understand the political and social climate that led to the American Revolution.