What History Forgot Season 1 Episode 6 Rebels With A Cause

In "Rebels With A Cause," the sixth episode of What History Forgot season 1, viewers are taken on a journey through the largely overlooked events of the American Revolution. Through interviews with historians and experts, the episode sheds light on the contributions of previously forgotten figures, including a group of female patriots who helped smuggle supplies to the Continental Army and a young African American soldier who played a significant role in the Battle of Bunker Hill.

The episode begins by exploring the early days of the rebellion, when the Continental Army was desperately in need of supplies. Enter the Culper Spy Ring, a group of undercover operatives who risked their lives to gather intelligence for George Washington. The spies' identities were so well guarded that their names only became known to the public well after the war had ended. However, one member of the ring, Robert Townsend, was responsible for uncovering crucial information about the British army's plans, which in turn helped the colonists prepare for battle.

Moving on from the spies, the episode turns the spotlight on a lesser-known group of patriots: women. Despite the commonly held belief that women were largely relegated to domestic duties during the Revolution, a number of women played a vital role in supporting the war effort. One such woman, Lydia Darragh, was a Quaker housewife who overheard important information about the British army's impending attack on Washington's troops. Darragh passed this information along to a patriot colonel, who was able to warn the Continental Army and take them by surprise during the Battle of White Marsh.

Another group of women, known as "camp followers," followed the Continental Army around, providing vital support services like nursing, cooking, and cleaning. Many of these women experienced the horrors of war firsthand, and some even lost their lives. Nonetheless, their contributions have largely been overlooked by history.

The episode then shifts its focus to a young African American soldier named Salem Poor. Poor was born into slavery in Massachusetts, but when the Revolutionary War broke out, he enlisted in the Continental Army and quickly proved himself a capable and courageous soldier. Poor fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill and was one of just a handful of African Americans to receive recognition for his bravery during the war. Despite this, poor was later sold back into slavery and spent the rest of his life in poverty.

The episode concludes by highlighting the central role that overlooked individuals played in the American Revolution. Although the names of these figures may not be as well-known as those of George Washington or Paul Revere, their contributions were no less vital to the cause of American independence. Through their bravery, sacrifice, and determination, these forgotten heroes helped shape the course of history.