Assume the Position with Mr. Wuhl Season 1 Episode 2 Assume the Position 201 with Mr. Wuhl

Assume the Position with Mr. Wuhl is a comedic educational series hosted by Robert Wuhl. In season 1 episode 2, titled "Assume the Position 201 with Mr. Wuhl," Wuhl explores the history of American independence and the American Revolution.

Wuhl begins by asking his students what they know about Independence Day, and is dismayed to find that many of them think it is a celebration of the day America won its independence. Wuhl sets out to correct this misconception, and takes his class on a journey through the events leading up to the American Revolution, including the Stamp Act, the Boston Tea Party, and the Continental Congress.

Along the way, Wuhl injects his signature humor into the history lesson, making the dry material more engaging and entertaining. He also uses pop culture references to help the students relate to the material, showing clips from movies like Mel Gibson's The Patriot and the musical Hamilton.

As Wuhl delves deeper into the history of the American Revolution, he highlights some of the lesser-known figures who played important roles in the fight for independence. He introduces his class to people like Paul Revere, who was not actually the only rider warning of the British invasion, and Abigail Adams, who was a vocal advocate for women's rights.

Wuhl also dispels some of the myths surrounding the Revolution, such as the idea that it was a unanimous decision for the colonies to declare independence. He demonstrates how even among the founding fathers there were disagreements and debates about whether to declare independence. Wuhl also addresses the role of slavery in the Revolution, acknowledging that while some of the founding fathers were slave owners, others were abolitionists.

Throughout the episode, Wuhl encourages his students to think critically about the events they are learning about, asking them questions and challenging their assumptions. He also emphasizes the importance of learning from history, saying "those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

As the episode comes to a close, Wuhl wraps up the lesson by reminding his students that the American Revolution was not just a fight for independence, but a fight for the rights and freedoms that are important to Americans to this day. He encourages them to celebrate the Fourth of July not just as a day off from school, but as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for independence.

Overall, "Assume the Position 201 with Mr. Wuhl" is an engaging and informative lesson on the history of the American Revolution. Robert Wuhl's humor and pop culture references make the material more accessible and entertaining, while his emphasis on critical thinking and learning from history make the lesson relevant to today's students.