The American Heritage Series Season 1 Episode 22 Great Black Patriots...Hands of the Revolution Part 1

The American Heritage Series season 1 episode 22, titled "Great Black Patriots...Hands of the Revolution Part 1," explores the important role that black Americans played in the fight for America's independence during the Revolutionary War. The episode delves into the lives of figures such as Crispus Attucks, Peter Salem, and James Armistead Lafayette, who all made significant contributions to the cause despite the fact that they were enslaved or faced significant discrimination.

Viewers will learn about the history of slavery in America and the ways in which some enslaved individuals were able to gain their freedom by serving in the military or fighting for the patriots. The episode showcases how black soldiers and individuals worked alongside their white counterparts, often in positions of great danger and responsibility.

Through interviews with historians and primary source documents, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of black soldiers and how they played a pivotal role in several pivotal moments during the Revolutionary War, such as the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Battle of Saratoga.

The episode also explores the ways in which black Americans who were not enslaved contributed to the war effort, such as Phillis Wheatley, a poet who wrote pro-independence works, and Lemuel Haynes, a Congregational minister who fought in the war and later became an outspoken advocate for abolition.

Overall, "Great Black Patriots...Hands of the Revolution Part 1" sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of American history and the critical contributions that black Americans made to the founding of the nation.