Watch Slavery and the Making of America

Slavery and the Making of America is a four-part miniseries produced by PBS in 2005 that explores the history of slavery in America. The show features commentary by historian and sociologist Ira Berlin as well as on-location footage and dramatic reenactments. The series is hosted by acclaimed actor Morgan Freeman and chronicles the impact of slavery on American society from the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619 through emancipation and beyond.

The first episode of the series, entitled "The Downward Spiral," examines the early years of slavery in the American colonies. It looks at how slavery emerged as a major facet of the colonial economy, particularly in Virginia and the Carolinas. The episode details how African slaves were initially treated as indentured servants and were able to eventually work their way out of bondage. However, the establishment of the transatlantic slave trade and the growth of the plantation system would change that. As the number of Africans in the colonies grew, laws that kept them in slavery for life were implemented. This episode also delves into the resistance of enslaved Africans, from small acts of sabotage to full-scale uprisings like the Stono Rebellion.

The second episode, "Liberty in the Air," discusses the American Revolution and the role of slavery in its outcome. The episode highlights the hypocrisy of the founding fathers, particularly George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who espoused liberty and freedom while owning slaves. The episode also looks at how enslaved Africans and free people of color contributed to the fight for independence, and how the British used the promise of freedom to entice slaves to fight on their side. This episode also examines the debates over slavery during the writing of the constitution and the political compromises that allowed the institution to continue.

The third episode, "Seeds of Destruction," covers the antebellum period and the growing sectional tensions over slavery. The episode looks at the rise of abolitionism and the Underground Railroad, as well as slave uprisings like Nat Turner's rebellion. The episode also discusses the political compromises that kept the Union together, such as the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850. This episode includes powerful first-person narratives from former slaves who describe the horrors of slavery and their quest for freedom.

The final episode, "The Challenge of Freedom," explores the aftermath of the Civil War and the challenges faced by African Americans during Reconstruction. The episode looks at the rise of the Ku Klux Klan and other racist organizations, as well as the struggles of African Americans to secure the rights promised to them by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. This episode also looks at the impact of sharecropping and the Jim Crow laws on African American communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Overall, Slavery and the Making of America is a comprehensive and insightful look at the history of slavery in America. The series is a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of slavery and how it continues to shape American society. Through the use of historical footage, dramatic reenactments, and expert commentary, the series provides a nuanced perspective on one of the most difficult chapters in American history.

Slavery and the Making of America is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (8 episodes). The series first aired on February 9, 2005.