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- After six long years,
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00:00:15,864 --> 00:00:17,950
the Britishare striking directly
3
00:00:17,950 --> 00:00:20,536
at the heartof the Patriot cause
4
00:00:20,536 --> 00:00:23,163
in a bid to finally endthe war.
5
00:00:23,163 --> 00:00:25,123
- 20 hogshead.
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00:00:25,123 --> 00:00:28,085
Pure Virginia tobacco.
[sniffs]
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00:00:28,085 --> 00:00:30,045
A man could live off
that for years.
8
00:00:32,214 --> 00:00:34,549
- At the tip of the spearis the man
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who nearly took downthe Continental Army
10
00:00:36,927 --> 00:00:39,221
with an act of betrayal.
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00:00:39,221 --> 00:00:42,057
???
12
00:00:47,688 --> 00:00:50,148
- The turncoatBenedict Arnold
13
00:00:50,148 --> 00:00:52,901
is now a Britishbrigadier general
14
00:00:52,901 --> 00:00:55,404
on the front linesof their latest strategy
15
00:00:55,404 --> 00:00:57,906
to crush the rebel spirit
16
00:00:57,906 --> 00:01:01,743
and rouse a loyalist armyto fight the Patriots.
17
00:01:01,743 --> 00:01:03,245
- Burn it all.
18
00:01:04,413 --> 00:01:06,123
- The British think, okay,
we're gonna sweep south
19
00:01:06,123 --> 00:01:07,624
and get control here
20
00:01:07,624 --> 00:01:09,585
in a way
that we haven't before.
21
00:01:09,585 --> 00:01:11,962
There's a lot of action
happening on a lot of fronts
22
00:01:11,962 --> 00:01:13,505
at this point.
23
00:01:13,505 --> 00:01:15,966
- Arnold is sent
to the Chesapeake
24
00:01:15,966 --> 00:01:18,218
to attack the American forces
25
00:01:18,218 --> 00:01:19,469
in Washington's backyard,
26
00:01:19,469 --> 00:01:20,971
and soon Richmond,
27
00:01:20,971 --> 00:01:24,099
the capital of Virginia,
is in flames.
28
00:01:24,099 --> 00:01:26,852
- It's a double blow
not only to have betrayed
29
00:01:26,852 --> 00:01:29,313
for the cause, but then
to lead a successful raid
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00:01:29,313 --> 00:01:31,773
in the heart
of the revolution.
31
00:01:31,773 --> 00:01:33,066
It made Americans furious.
32
00:01:41,950 --> 00:01:44,036
- What is it,
Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton?
33
00:01:44,036 --> 00:01:45,621
- We just received word.
34
00:01:45,621 --> 00:01:47,414
Arnold has been sighted
in the south.
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- Where?
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00:01:48,999 --> 00:01:50,125
- Virginia.
37
00:01:50,125 --> 00:01:51,752
Outside Richmond.
38
00:01:54,004 --> 00:01:55,631
- Virginia.
39
00:01:55,631 --> 00:01:57,591
How many men
does Arnold command?
40
00:01:57,591 --> 00:01:59,384
- It's hard to be certain.
41
00:01:59,384 --> 00:02:01,970
Over a thousand.
Less than 1,500?
42
00:02:03,180 --> 00:02:04,973
- Send the marquis.
43
00:02:04,973 --> 00:02:07,184
- I suppose we could spare
a thousand men, but--
44
00:02:07,184 --> 00:02:08,852
- Well, if the reports
are accurate,
45
00:02:08,852 --> 00:02:10,479
Lafayette will be outnumbered.
46
00:02:10,479 --> 00:02:12,314
- Well, our troops
are already stretched thin,
47
00:02:12,314 --> 00:02:14,149
and if we truly aim
to reclaim New York--
48
00:02:14,149 --> 00:02:16,943
- I would prefer,
when I return home,
49
00:02:16,943 --> 00:02:20,280
Arnold has not
reduced it to ashes.
50
00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:22,574
- Hmm.
51
00:02:22,574 --> 00:02:25,452
Still no word
from the French.
52
00:02:25,452 --> 00:02:27,621
- Rochambeau is waiting
to hear from his admirals.
53
00:02:27,621 --> 00:02:30,165
For now, their ships remain
anchored off Rhode Island.
54
00:02:31,750 --> 00:02:34,878
Perhaps if they see the urgency
in destroying Arnold's forces,
55
00:02:34,878 --> 00:02:38,507
they will finally
join this war in earnest.
56
00:02:38,507 --> 00:02:41,968
Our fleet has remained idle
far too long.
57
00:02:41,968 --> 00:02:44,763
- The French have been alliedto America
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00:02:44,763 --> 00:02:47,057
since early 1778,
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00:02:47,057 --> 00:02:49,017
and while they have a fleet
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00:02:49,017 --> 00:02:53,188
and more than 5,000 troopsstationed in New England,
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00:02:53,188 --> 00:02:55,649
they have yetto join the fight.
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00:02:55,649 --> 00:02:58,402
- Washington has been
cultivating Rochambeau
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00:02:58,402 --> 00:03:02,364
to plan for an all-out assault
on New York City.
64
00:03:02,364 --> 00:03:05,409
He still believes that's
the best way to win the war.
65
00:03:05,409 --> 00:03:07,285
- But the French commander
66
00:03:07,285 --> 00:03:10,038
Comte de Rochambeauisn't convinced.
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00:03:10,038 --> 00:03:12,040
And for now,
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00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:14,626
Washington must facethe British surge
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00:03:14,626 --> 00:03:16,962
on his own.
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00:03:16,962 --> 00:03:19,881
- Provide the marquis
with 1,200 soldiers.
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00:03:19,881 --> 00:03:21,383
- Yes, sir.
72
00:03:21,383 --> 00:03:23,218
With the French support
or not,
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00:03:23,218 --> 00:03:25,387
the marquis will have
the traitor's head on a pike.
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00:03:25,387 --> 00:03:28,432
- As long as he is brought
before me in the end,
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00:03:28,432 --> 00:03:31,476
the state of his person
bears no concern.
76
00:03:35,313 --> 00:03:37,983
- Washington's determinationto catch Arnold
77
00:03:37,983 --> 00:03:39,568
isn't just personal,
78
00:03:39,568 --> 00:03:41,111
it's imperative.
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00:03:41,111 --> 00:03:43,989
By January, 1781,
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00:03:43,989 --> 00:03:47,576
the revolutionary causeis teetering on the edge.
81
00:03:47,576 --> 00:03:49,745
- Like every war, people think
82
00:03:49,745 --> 00:03:53,081
that this is gonna be
over pretty quickly.
83
00:03:53,081 --> 00:03:56,001
And they could not have had
the resources
84
00:03:56,001 --> 00:03:58,503
or understood
what a protracted thing
85
00:03:58,503 --> 00:03:59,755
this was going to be.
86
00:03:59,755 --> 00:04:01,631
- The spirit of 1776
87
00:04:01,631 --> 00:04:04,176
that had fueled this revolution
in the beginning
88
00:04:04,176 --> 00:04:05,635
was long gone.
89
00:04:05,635 --> 00:04:08,638
The American people
were tired of war.
90
00:04:08,638 --> 00:04:10,724
- Because the economy
has collapsed,
91
00:04:10,724 --> 00:04:12,768
because Congress
is ineffective,
92
00:04:12,768 --> 00:04:15,103
because people are losing focus,
93
00:04:15,103 --> 00:04:16,938
even Washington admits
94
00:04:16,938 --> 00:04:20,609
that if this goes much longer,
we've lost.
95
00:04:21,777 --> 00:04:24,780
- It's not just the countrythat's wavering,
96
00:04:24,780 --> 00:04:26,698
it's also the troops.
97
00:04:26,698 --> 00:04:30,202
After years withoutsufficient food or salary,
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00:04:30,202 --> 00:04:32,204
incidents of mutiny
99
00:04:32,204 --> 00:04:35,165
in the Continental Armyare rising.
100
00:04:35,165 --> 00:04:39,503
- The troops are beginning
to lose their hope.
101
00:04:39,503 --> 00:04:41,797
In particular,
they've not been paid.
102
00:04:41,797 --> 00:04:43,131
This is a big problem.
103
00:04:43,131 --> 00:04:44,591
- Congress doesn't
have the money,
104
00:04:44,591 --> 00:04:46,051
so the soldiers were told,
105
00:04:46,051 --> 00:04:48,178
"We'll pay you
at the end of the war."
106
00:04:48,178 --> 00:04:49,805
They've been provided alcohol
107
00:04:49,805 --> 00:04:53,767
and firearms,
but that's about it.
108
00:04:53,767 --> 00:04:55,685
- It is in vain to think
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00:04:55,685 --> 00:04:58,396
an army can be kepttogether much longer
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under such a varietyof sufferings
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00:05:00,065 --> 00:05:02,526
as ours has experienced,
112
00:05:02,526 --> 00:05:04,486
and that,unless some immediate
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00:05:04,486 --> 00:05:06,696
and spirited measuresare adopted
114
00:05:06,696 --> 00:05:09,908
to furnish at least threemonths' pay to the troops,
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00:05:09,908 --> 00:05:11,701
clothe and feed them better,
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00:05:11,701 --> 00:05:15,497
the worst that can befall usmay be expected.
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- Three years.
118
00:05:21,294 --> 00:05:26,174
We've been out here
three years fighting.
119
00:05:26,174 --> 00:05:28,426
No food,
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00:05:28,426 --> 00:05:29,928
no shelter.
121
00:05:31,888 --> 00:05:33,473
When was the last time
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00:05:33,473 --> 00:05:34,724
you had a decent pair
of boots on your feet?
123
00:05:34,724 --> 00:05:37,352
- Never.
- Yeah.
124
00:05:37,352 --> 00:05:40,188
- And what about pay?
- Yeah.
125
00:05:40,188 --> 00:05:42,315
- We expected to risk
our lives for free?
126
00:05:42,315 --> 00:05:43,692
- No.
- No.
127
00:05:43,692 --> 00:05:45,110
- Go through hell
and not even receive
128
00:05:45,110 --> 00:05:47,988
a decent belly full
before nightfall?
129
00:05:47,988 --> 00:05:49,489
- No.
- Yeah.
130
00:05:49,489 --> 00:05:50,782
- They said
things would change.
131
00:05:50,782 --> 00:05:52,200
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
132
00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:53,410
- And we listened to them.
- Yeah.
133
00:05:53,410 --> 00:05:55,120
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
134
00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:58,123
- Well, I tell you,
135
00:05:58,123 --> 00:06:02,127
nothing will change
unless we make it.
136
00:06:02,127 --> 00:06:04,045
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
137
00:06:04,045 --> 00:06:05,964
- So I say we march.
138
00:06:05,964 --> 00:06:07,507
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
139
00:06:07,507 --> 00:06:10,135
- Tell it to them face to face!
- Yeah!
140
00:06:11,344 --> 00:06:16,224
- And if we need
to spill blood...
141
00:06:16,224 --> 00:06:18,143
so be it.
142
00:06:18,143 --> 00:06:20,145
- Men: Yeah!
143
00:06:20,145 --> 00:06:23,732
- No more without pay.
144
00:06:23,732 --> 00:06:27,027
No more without food!
- Yeah!
145
00:06:27,027 --> 00:06:30,739
- No bread, no soldiers!
- No more soldiers.
146
00:06:30,739 --> 00:06:33,575
- [chanting] No bread,
no soldiers.
147
00:06:33,575 --> 00:06:36,786
No bread, no soldiers.
No bread, no soldiers.
148
00:06:36,786 --> 00:06:39,706
- The New Jersey troops willsoon march toward Trenton
149
00:06:39,706 --> 00:06:43,793
to demand what they're owedby force.
150
00:06:43,793 --> 00:06:47,589
- Let us go!
151
00:06:47,589 --> 00:06:49,966
- Washington is watching
the American war effort
152
00:06:49,966 --> 00:06:51,343
wither on the vine.
153
00:06:51,343 --> 00:06:53,595
And this adds
to Washington's anxiety.
154
00:06:53,595 --> 00:06:56,765
"How do I present as good
a face on this as possible
155
00:06:56,765 --> 00:06:59,017
when actually things
are not that good?"
156
00:07:07,150 --> 00:07:12,155
- We have earned the respect
of the French, and now this.
157
00:07:12,155 --> 00:07:14,324
What will they think?
158
00:07:14,324 --> 00:07:15,992
How will the world see us
159
00:07:15,992 --> 00:07:17,952
when we cannot even manage
our own men?
160
00:07:26,795 --> 00:07:28,129
- Your orders, sir?
161
00:07:29,798 --> 00:07:32,092
- Send as large a detachment
as we can spare.
162
00:07:32,092 --> 00:07:34,135
Force the soldiers
back into line.
163
00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:38,181
Execute the leader.
164
00:07:38,181 --> 00:07:41,226
???
165
00:07:42,978 --> 00:07:45,313
- You have to understandthese young people
166
00:07:45,313 --> 00:07:47,065
lost confidencein their leaders
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00:07:47,065 --> 00:07:48,692
which is where a mutinycomes from.
168
00:07:48,692 --> 00:07:50,443
- [chanting]
No, bread, no soldiers!
169
00:07:50,443 --> 00:07:53,279
- But you had to knock it
down as fast as you could.
170
00:07:53,279 --> 00:07:56,199
You couldn't let it spread
because it's like a virus.
171
00:07:56,199 --> 00:07:58,243
If it's not dealt with
immediately,
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00:07:58,243 --> 00:07:59,744
it will infect
the whole organization.
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00:07:59,744 --> 00:08:02,789
[crowd cheering]
174
00:08:02,789 --> 00:08:03,790
- Go on!
- Yeah.
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00:08:13,383 --> 00:08:16,344
- Mutiny is tearing apartthe army
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00:08:16,344 --> 00:08:19,180
that George Washingtonstruggled to hold together
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00:08:19,180 --> 00:08:22,058
through six years of war.
178
00:08:22,058 --> 00:08:25,645
Now, with the revolutionarycause at risk,
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00:08:25,645 --> 00:08:29,232
he's restoring orderamong his New Jersey troops
180
00:08:29,232 --> 00:08:31,735
by force.
181
00:08:31,735 --> 00:08:34,738
- The object is to compelthe mutineers
182
00:08:34,738 --> 00:08:38,158
to unconditional submission.
183
00:08:38,158 --> 00:08:40,410
- The mutiny
has been broken up.
184
00:08:40,410 --> 00:08:42,454
The men have been disarmed.
185
00:08:42,454 --> 00:08:45,373
They are ordered
to reveal their ringleaders.
186
00:08:45,373 --> 00:08:47,792
- Go on.
187
00:08:47,792 --> 00:08:50,670
Do it, then.
188
00:08:50,670 --> 00:08:54,716
- You will represent to themhow dangerous to civil liberty
189
00:08:54,716 --> 00:08:57,218
the precedent isof armed soldiers
190
00:08:57,218 --> 00:08:58,762
dictating termsto their country.
191
00:08:58,762 --> 00:09:01,139
- Drop.
- Drop.
192
00:09:02,390 --> 00:09:03,683
- Move.
- Move.
193
00:09:03,683 --> 00:09:05,518
- The mutineers,
194
00:09:05,518 --> 00:09:07,937
they're given musketsand a choice.
195
00:09:07,937 --> 00:09:10,565
???
196
00:09:13,526 --> 00:09:15,570
"Execute your ringleader
197
00:09:15,570 --> 00:09:17,072
or be executed.
198
00:09:17,072 --> 00:09:20,909
???
199
00:09:24,287 --> 00:09:25,830
- Take aim!
200
00:09:25,830 --> 00:09:27,415
- They have to raisetheir muskets
201
00:09:27,415 --> 00:09:28,917
and, at the order,
202
00:09:28,917 --> 00:09:31,169
open fireon their own comrades.
203
00:09:34,506 --> 00:09:37,383
- I spoke nothing
but the truth.
204
00:09:41,596 --> 00:09:43,431
- Fire!
205
00:09:51,981 --> 00:09:54,109
- It's good to be a nice guy,
206
00:09:54,109 --> 00:09:56,236
but at the end of the day
in those days,
207
00:09:56,236 --> 00:09:57,862
you had to use these tools
208
00:09:57,862 --> 00:09:59,781
to keep an organization
together.
209
00:09:59,781 --> 00:10:02,158
And he was up to that task.
210
00:10:02,158 --> 00:10:05,578
???
211
00:10:05,578 --> 00:10:07,372
- Washington's tactic
212
00:10:07,372 --> 00:10:10,333
stemmed the tide of mutinyand saved his army.
213
00:10:10,333 --> 00:10:12,001
But in the South,
214
00:10:12,001 --> 00:10:14,462
the British aremore determined than ever
215
00:10:14,462 --> 00:10:15,630
to destroy it.
216
00:10:17,173 --> 00:10:19,175
General Charles Cornwallis,
217
00:10:19,175 --> 00:10:21,302
who has spent muchof the past two years
218
00:10:21,302 --> 00:10:23,012
fighting in the Carolinas,
219
00:10:23,012 --> 00:10:25,348
is now moving into Virginia.
220
00:10:25,348 --> 00:10:28,143
- General Cornwallis
is one of the ablest
221
00:10:28,143 --> 00:10:30,061
British generals.
222
00:10:30,061 --> 00:10:33,148
He's quick-minded.
He moves aggressively.
223
00:10:33,148 --> 00:10:35,859
He knows how to handle troops
in the field.
224
00:10:35,859 --> 00:10:37,443
???
225
00:10:37,443 --> 00:10:39,112
- Lord Cornwallis decides,
226
00:10:39,112 --> 00:10:40,572
"I'm gonna go to Virginia.
227
00:10:40,572 --> 00:10:42,323
"Virginia is home to Washington,
228
00:10:42,323 --> 00:10:43,533
"home to Jefferson,
229
00:10:43,533 --> 00:10:44,993
"all these Patriot leaders.
230
00:10:44,993 --> 00:10:47,203
"If I can make them suffer,
231
00:10:47,203 --> 00:10:49,914
"maybe I can get the Patriots
to come to terms."
232
00:10:51,249 --> 00:10:53,293
- As Cornwallis arrives,
233
00:10:53,293 --> 00:10:55,753
Benedict Arnold,who's continued to burn
234
00:10:55,753 --> 00:10:57,672
and loot the state,
235
00:10:57,672 --> 00:10:59,465
is on his way out.
236
00:10:59,465 --> 00:11:01,676
- Arnold is
a great commander,
237
00:11:01,676 --> 00:11:04,179
and he was considered that way
by the British.
238
00:11:04,179 --> 00:11:06,347
However, there are a lot
of British officers
239
00:11:06,347 --> 00:11:08,224
who even see him as a traitor,
240
00:11:08,224 --> 00:11:09,684
as a man with no honor.
241
00:11:13,605 --> 00:11:15,523
- Ah, General Cornwallis.
242
00:11:15,523 --> 00:11:17,859
- Brigadier General Arnold.
243
00:11:19,569 --> 00:11:23,531
I have received reports
of your progress here.
244
00:11:23,531 --> 00:11:26,201
- And yet
I am still being replaced.
245
00:11:28,703 --> 00:11:31,289
I burn their ironworks
in Weston,
246
00:11:31,289 --> 00:11:34,709
tobacco fields
and warehouses in Richmond.
247
00:11:34,709 --> 00:11:37,170
Destroyed their gun powder,
poured out their rum.
248
00:11:37,170 --> 00:11:39,756
- Yes, I know.
I read the reports.
249
00:11:39,756 --> 00:11:41,549
- What we have to worry
about now is the French.
250
00:11:41,549 --> 00:11:44,219
We can no longer take our
naval advantage for granted.
251
00:11:44,219 --> 00:11:45,762
If we're not careful,
252
00:11:45,762 --> 00:11:48,181
we'll become vulnerable
to attack by water.
253
00:11:48,181 --> 00:11:52,227
- Well, then the responsibility
is mine now.
254
00:11:52,227 --> 00:11:54,229
You need trouble yourself
no further.
255
00:11:54,229 --> 00:11:55,939
- As I experienced--
- If you will excuse me,
256
00:11:55,939 --> 00:11:57,482
Brigadier General,
257
00:11:57,482 --> 00:12:00,526
we have important matters
to attend to here,
258
00:12:00,526 --> 00:12:02,904
and I am sure...
259
00:12:02,904 --> 00:12:05,406
you need to prepare
for your journey north.
260
00:12:05,406 --> 00:12:09,244
???
261
00:12:22,882 --> 00:12:24,717
- Within a year,
262
00:12:24,717 --> 00:12:28,221
Arnold leaves for Englandwith his wife Peggy,
263
00:12:28,221 --> 00:12:31,516
never again to set footon American soil.
264
00:12:34,978 --> 00:12:38,231
The first order of businessfor General Cornwallis
265
00:12:38,231 --> 00:12:40,358
is to set up a baseon the Chesapeake
266
00:12:40,358 --> 00:12:43,861
for the Royal Navyand his roughly 8,000 troops.
267
00:12:45,154 --> 00:12:48,449
By July, he chooses Yorktown.
268
00:12:48,449 --> 00:12:51,786
The post is easily accessibleto the British fleet
269
00:12:51,786 --> 00:12:55,206
for resupplyand reinforcement.
270
00:12:55,206 --> 00:12:57,583
But it's also vulnerableto the French,
271
00:12:57,583 --> 00:12:59,377
who finally see an opening
272
00:12:59,377 --> 00:13:03,464
to mount a decisive strikeagainst the British.
273
00:13:03,464 --> 00:13:07,802
Within weeks,the allies move into action.
274
00:13:07,802 --> 00:13:09,762
- Cornwallis doesn't realize
275
00:13:09,762 --> 00:13:11,723
that the French are prepared
276
00:13:11,723 --> 00:13:15,518
to send a fleet
to trap him in Virginia.
277
00:13:15,518 --> 00:13:19,022
- The French Navy was about
to arrive at the Chesapeake.
278
00:13:19,022 --> 00:13:21,399
If Washington and Rochambeau
279
00:13:21,399 --> 00:13:24,610
could get their armies down
there as quickly as possible,
280
00:13:24,610 --> 00:13:27,655
the trap could shut
around Lord Cornwallis.
281
00:13:27,655 --> 00:13:29,240
???
282
00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:32,035
- When the navies clashin September,
283
00:13:32,035 --> 00:13:34,787
the French scorean unexpected victory,
284
00:13:34,787 --> 00:13:38,916
giving the alliance controlof the seas around Yorktown.
285
00:13:38,916 --> 00:13:41,919
- For once, the French Navy
defeats the Royal Navy
286
00:13:41,919 --> 00:13:43,463
and drives them away
287
00:13:43,463 --> 00:13:45,048
from the mouth
of Chesapeake Bay.
288
00:13:45,048 --> 00:13:47,717
- The French
have achieved temporary,
289
00:13:47,717 --> 00:13:50,344
very brief naval superiority.
290
00:13:50,344 --> 00:13:51,888
This is the moment
291
00:13:51,888 --> 00:13:55,016
Washington has been
looking for since 1775.
292
00:13:55,016 --> 00:13:58,519
???
293
00:13:58,519 --> 00:14:02,190
- The allied army arriveson the outskirts of Yorktown
294
00:14:02,190 --> 00:14:04,067
within weeks,
295
00:14:04,067 --> 00:14:06,694
cutting off Cornwallis'only remaining escape.
296
00:14:11,949 --> 00:14:16,829
With a combined 19,000French and Americans soldiers,
297
00:14:16,829 --> 00:14:19,540
it's the most formidablefighting force
298
00:14:19,540 --> 00:14:21,334
Washington will ever command.
299
00:14:24,670 --> 00:14:26,547
To defeat Cornwallis,
300
00:14:26,547 --> 00:14:30,259
Washington and his alliesopt for a classic siege.
301
00:14:30,259 --> 00:14:32,386
They createa series of trenches
302
00:14:32,386 --> 00:14:34,931
that creep ever closerto the enemy.
303
00:14:34,931 --> 00:14:37,016
If all goes to plan,
304
00:14:37,016 --> 00:14:41,312
the British defenses shouldcollapse in a matter of days.
305
00:14:44,315 --> 00:14:47,777
- Report,
Major General Lafayette.
306
00:14:47,777 --> 00:14:48,528
- The trench should be
completed by morning.
307
00:14:51,948 --> 00:14:54,158
- Then we move up
the artillery.
308
00:14:54,158 --> 00:14:56,452
- Rochambeau and his best men
are with Knox now,
309
00:14:56,452 --> 00:14:58,246
reviewing placements
and positions.
310
00:14:58,246 --> 00:14:59,580
- Good.
311
00:15:00,790 --> 00:15:03,793
- My countrymen are finally
think for themselves.
312
00:15:03,793 --> 00:15:08,422
You Americans are fast learners.
313
00:15:08,422 --> 00:15:15,096
- What other choices
do we have?
314
00:15:15,096 --> 00:15:17,640
- The present moment offersin prospect
315
00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:21,185
the epoque which will decideAmerican independence
316
00:15:21,185 --> 00:15:24,897
and the glory and superiorityof the allies.
317
00:15:24,897 --> 00:15:26,649
The liberties of America
318
00:15:26,649 --> 00:15:29,152
and the honorof the allied arms
319
00:15:29,152 --> 00:15:30,778
are in our hands.
320
00:15:30,778 --> 00:15:31,988
???
321
00:15:31,988 --> 00:15:33,573
- This is the moment
322
00:15:33,573 --> 00:15:35,950
where it all comes
together for Washington.
323
00:15:43,082 --> 00:15:45,001
It was almost
beyond his ability
324
00:15:45,001 --> 00:15:47,253
to comprehend that finally,
325
00:15:47,253 --> 00:15:49,005
after six years of thinking
326
00:15:49,005 --> 00:15:51,966
it was all
about to fall apart,
327
00:15:51,966 --> 00:15:55,553
it was all on the edge
of actually happening.
328
00:16:08,482 --> 00:16:11,402
[screaming]
329
00:16:13,654 --> 00:16:16,032
Everyone...
330
00:16:16,032 --> 00:16:17,074
fire!
331
00:16:24,457 --> 00:16:25,291
Fire!
332
00:16:37,178 --> 00:16:39,514
Fire!
333
00:16:39,514 --> 00:16:40,848
Reload.
334
00:16:46,687 --> 00:16:49,524
- Direct hit after direct hit.
335
00:16:49,524 --> 00:16:52,693
- General George Washington'sdreamed of launching
336
00:16:52,693 --> 00:16:55,196
a grand assault on the enemy
337
00:16:55,196 --> 00:16:57,156
since the day the war began.
338
00:17:00,576 --> 00:17:04,080
And now he finallyhas the fire power.
339
00:17:05,706 --> 00:17:08,209
Thousands of troopsand dozens of heavy guns
340
00:17:08,209 --> 00:17:10,002
are being addedto his arsenal,
341
00:17:10,002 --> 00:17:12,380
thanks to the Frenchand their commander
342
00:17:12,380 --> 00:17:14,590
Comte de Rochambeau.
343
00:17:16,592 --> 00:17:18,344
- Increase our bombardment.
344
00:17:18,344 --> 00:17:20,846
We cannot let the British
to rebuild their fortifications.
345
00:17:20,846 --> 00:17:22,890
- I doubt they will hold
for another day.
346
00:17:22,890 --> 00:17:24,308
- And I doubt, Henry,
347
00:17:24,308 --> 00:17:25,977
that they will give up
so easily.
348
00:17:40,866 --> 00:17:42,034
- Incoming!
349
00:17:48,249 --> 00:17:50,585
- 48 hoursinto the bombardment.
350
00:17:50,585 --> 00:17:52,378
- Out. All of you.
351
00:17:52,378 --> 00:17:54,505
- Entrappedby Washington's forces...
352
00:17:55,756 --> 00:17:58,593
General Cornwallis is pinningall his hopes
353
00:17:58,593 --> 00:18:00,303
on reinforcement.
354
00:18:00,303 --> 00:18:05,224
- Sir, I can only repeat
that nothing but a successful
355
00:18:05,224 --> 00:18:07,810
naval action can save me.
- [explosion]
356
00:18:14,150 --> 00:18:17,111
We have lost about 70 men,
357
00:18:17,111 --> 00:18:20,781
and many of our works
have been seriously damaged.
358
00:18:20,781 --> 00:18:25,286
Against so powerful an attack,
359
00:18:25,286 --> 00:18:28,080
we cannot hope to make
a very long resistance.
360
00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:29,373
[explosions]
361
00:18:29,373 --> 00:18:31,250
Et cetera, et cetera,
et cetera.
362
00:18:36,005 --> 00:18:37,465
[horse neighing]
363
00:18:37,465 --> 00:18:39,133
- Where do we stand?
364
00:18:39,133 --> 00:18:41,886
- Our bombardments have weakened
them considerably.
365
00:18:41,886 --> 00:18:44,430
- General Cornwallis
has withdrawn most of his forces
366
00:18:44,430 --> 00:18:46,432
into the city as it stands.
367
00:18:46,432 --> 00:18:48,059
They're down
to two fortifications
368
00:18:48,059 --> 00:18:50,436
with ops here and here.
369
00:18:50,436 --> 00:18:52,146
- If we take the Redoubts,
370
00:18:52,146 --> 00:18:54,815
we can run our next trench
all the way to the water.
371
00:18:54,815 --> 00:18:56,317
- But then the barrels
of our cannon,
372
00:18:56,317 --> 00:18:59,487
will breach the threshold
of their position.
373
00:18:59,487 --> 00:19:02,156
- Known as Redoubts 9 and 10,
374
00:19:02,156 --> 00:19:04,659
the fortificationsare the last line of defense
375
00:19:04,659 --> 00:19:06,494
holding off the Americans
376
00:19:06,494 --> 00:19:08,162
from advancingtheir trench line
377
00:19:08,162 --> 00:19:11,332
to bombard the townat close range.
378
00:19:11,332 --> 00:19:12,917
- How many men
does number 10 hold?
379
00:19:12,917 --> 00:19:14,335
- Perhaps 50,
380
00:19:14,335 --> 00:19:16,837
but heavily armed
and well-fortified,
381
00:19:16,837 --> 00:19:19,215
it will certainly
not be easy to take.
382
00:19:19,215 --> 00:19:20,841
- We will need
to overwhelm them.
383
00:19:20,841 --> 00:19:23,260
- And catch them by surprise.
384
00:19:23,260 --> 00:19:24,845
As soon as our men
are spotted,
385
00:19:24,845 --> 00:19:26,472
they will come
under heavy fire.
386
00:19:28,849 --> 00:19:30,559
- Send 400 men.
387
00:19:30,559 --> 00:19:32,895
Move out tonight under
the cover of darkness.
388
00:19:32,895 --> 00:19:35,481
- And who shall lead them?
389
00:19:35,481 --> 00:19:38,442
???
390
00:19:39,527 --> 00:19:41,028
- Alexander.
391
00:19:48,869 --> 00:19:53,708
- Hamilton is Washington's
essential staff officer,
392
00:19:53,708 --> 00:19:55,751
but he doesn't want
to stay a staff officer
393
00:19:55,751 --> 00:19:57,712
because real glory
comes if you lead men
394
00:19:57,712 --> 00:19:59,171
in combat to victory.
395
00:19:59,171 --> 00:20:03,050
???
396
00:20:03,050 --> 00:20:06,053
Washington becomes dependent
upon Hamilton's competence,
397
00:20:06,053 --> 00:20:10,891
so he's reluctant
to see Hamilton go.
398
00:20:10,891 --> 00:20:15,229
- Washington recognizes
his own self in Hamilton.
399
00:20:15,229 --> 00:20:17,064
Hamilton wants
to command an army.
400
00:20:17,064 --> 00:20:19,942
This is how a man is made.
401
00:20:19,942 --> 00:20:22,528
- This is command you've been
seeking, is it not?
402
00:20:22,528 --> 00:20:23,738
- Yes, sir.
403
00:20:23,738 --> 00:20:25,239
- The reward is high.
404
00:20:25,239 --> 00:20:26,991
The risk is equally as great.
405
00:20:26,991 --> 00:20:29,660
- I shall not
let you down, sir.
406
00:20:32,037 --> 00:20:33,581
- Then the command is yours.
407
00:20:33,581 --> 00:20:36,792
???
408
00:21:08,282 --> 00:21:09,950
- With Redoubt No. 10,
409
00:21:09,950 --> 00:21:13,621
I think you see the American
talent for improvisation
410
00:21:13,621 --> 00:21:14,914
coming to the fore.
411
00:21:17,625 --> 00:21:19,794
They dispense
with the usual protocols
412
00:21:19,794 --> 00:21:23,798
of clearing the way
before you storm the ramparts.
413
00:21:25,090 --> 00:21:27,259
Hamilton said,
"Let's just go for it."
414
00:21:41,190 --> 00:21:43,150
- Charge!
415
00:21:43,150 --> 00:21:44,902
Forward, men! Forward!
416
00:21:44,902 --> 00:21:46,237
Forward!
417
00:21:59,875 --> 00:22:02,503
- Lieutenant ColonelAlexander Hamilton
418
00:22:02,503 --> 00:22:04,255
is leading the chargeto break through
419
00:22:04,255 --> 00:22:07,007
the last line of defensearound Yorktown.
420
00:22:07,007 --> 00:22:08,384
- Aah!
421
00:22:08,384 --> 00:22:10,803
- Do not fall back! Forward!
422
00:22:10,803 --> 00:22:13,305
???
423
00:22:13,305 --> 00:22:16,016
- Onward! Onward!
424
00:22:16,016 --> 00:22:18,352
- Fall back! Fall back!
425
00:22:23,649 --> 00:22:25,651
[cheering]
426
00:22:25,651 --> 00:22:29,822
- The fighting is overin just a matter of minutes.
427
00:22:29,822 --> 00:22:32,199
- Yeah!
428
00:22:32,199 --> 00:22:34,410
- With the taking
of Redoubt No. 10,
429
00:22:34,410 --> 00:22:37,121
Hamilton is a legitimate
war hero.
430
00:22:37,121 --> 00:22:39,915
In many ways,
it's the making of Hamilton.
431
00:22:41,500 --> 00:22:44,169
- By the point those
two Redoubts are captured,
432
00:22:44,169 --> 00:22:45,504
the writing is on the wall.
433
00:22:51,051 --> 00:22:54,388
- From their positionat the captured Redoubts,
434
00:22:54,388 --> 00:22:56,891
the Americans unleasha punishing
435
00:22:56,891 --> 00:22:59,310
point-blank assaulton the British.
436
00:23:02,688 --> 00:23:06,525
???
437
00:23:24,084 --> 00:23:26,921
Unsure if the reinforcementshe's requested
438
00:23:26,921 --> 00:23:29,256
will ever arrive,
439
00:23:29,256 --> 00:23:32,593
Cornwallis has seen enough.
440
00:23:32,593 --> 00:23:36,472
???
441
00:23:50,736 --> 00:23:52,321
- Sir,
442
00:23:52,321 --> 00:23:56,450
I propose
an immediate cessation
443
00:23:56,450 --> 00:23:59,703
of hostilities
for 24 hours,
444
00:23:59,703 --> 00:24:04,750
and that two officers
be appointed from either side
445
00:24:04,750 --> 00:24:06,794
to discuss the terms
446
00:24:06,794 --> 00:24:10,923
of the surrender
of the posts of York
447
00:24:10,923 --> 00:24:12,299
and Gloucester,
448
00:24:12,299 --> 00:24:13,258
et cetera, et cetera.
449
00:24:19,139 --> 00:24:22,601
- Yorktown is a crucial,
crucial moment in the war.
450
00:24:22,601 --> 00:24:24,812
The fact that the Americans
win that battle
451
00:24:24,812 --> 00:24:26,772
has huge psychological
452
00:24:26,772 --> 00:24:28,482
as well as military
consequences.
453
00:24:28,482 --> 00:24:30,359
On the British side,
454
00:24:30,359 --> 00:24:31,819
they're outraged
that they've lost
455
00:24:31,819 --> 00:24:33,487
and that these Americans
456
00:24:33,487 --> 00:24:36,323
appear to have gotten
the better of them.
457
00:24:36,323 --> 00:24:38,450
- And the Brits
never quite understood
458
00:24:38,450 --> 00:24:39,994
what they were getting into,
459
00:24:39,994 --> 00:24:41,662
and they underestimated
460
00:24:41,662 --> 00:24:44,665
the nation
that had been created.
461
00:24:44,665 --> 00:24:47,167
It's a mistake many people
have made over the years.
462
00:24:47,167 --> 00:24:49,628
When you're defending
a piece of land that's yours,
463
00:24:49,628 --> 00:24:51,005
you're prepared to die for it.
464
00:24:51,005 --> 00:24:53,132
- On October 19th,
465
00:24:53,132 --> 00:24:55,384
after a three-week-longsiege,
466
00:24:55,384 --> 00:24:58,345
the two sides meeton the battlefield
467
00:24:58,345 --> 00:25:00,848
for a formal surrenderceremony.
468
00:25:00,848 --> 00:25:02,975
- Cornwallis
is too embarrassed,
469
00:25:02,975 --> 00:25:05,144
so he pretends that he's sick
470
00:25:05,144 --> 00:25:09,314
and he sends out a subordinate
to surrender the sword.
471
00:25:09,314 --> 00:25:12,026
This is the second British
Army to surrender.
472
00:25:12,026 --> 00:25:13,986
The main British Army
is still intact
473
00:25:13,986 --> 00:25:15,529
and still at New York City.
474
00:25:15,529 --> 00:25:19,199
But the will to fight
in Great Britain is gone.
475
00:25:19,199 --> 00:25:22,036
When word of Yorktown
reaches Britain,
476
00:25:22,036 --> 00:25:23,495
Lord North,
the prime minister,
477
00:25:23,495 --> 00:25:26,498
says,
"Oh, my God, it's over."
478
00:25:26,498 --> 00:25:30,669
- While peace terms are beingnegotiated in Paris,
479
00:25:30,669 --> 00:25:33,922
Washington is not convincedthat the war is over.
480
00:25:33,922 --> 00:25:36,967
He moves his headquartersto Newburgh, New York,
481
00:25:36,967 --> 00:25:40,554
within striking distance ofBritish-occupied New York City.
482
00:25:40,554 --> 00:25:42,723
- The king will push the war
483
00:25:42,723 --> 00:25:46,018
as long as the nation willfind men or money.
484
00:25:46,018 --> 00:25:48,437
Let us prepare for the worst.
485
00:25:48,437 --> 00:25:51,732
There is nothing which willso soon produce peace
486
00:25:51,732 --> 00:25:54,735
as a state of preparationfor war.
487
00:25:54,735 --> 00:25:58,072
- The British stopped major
action in North America,
488
00:25:58,072 --> 00:25:59,948
but from Washington's
point of view,
489
00:25:59,948 --> 00:26:01,325
that might not be permanent,
490
00:26:01,325 --> 00:26:03,911
so he has to keep
this army trained
491
00:26:03,911 --> 00:26:07,748
so it can respond and defend
and fight if he needs to.
492
00:26:09,333 --> 00:26:11,710
- But with Congress stillfailing to pay them
493
00:26:11,710 --> 00:26:15,255
more than a year afterthe battle at Yorktown,
494
00:26:15,255 --> 00:26:18,217
Washington's troopsare growing restless
495
00:26:18,217 --> 00:26:20,427
and angry.
496
00:26:20,427 --> 00:26:22,346
- They've been given
promises for years.
497
00:26:22,346 --> 00:26:25,849
Some of them have been there
seven, eight years long.
498
00:26:25,849 --> 00:26:28,310
And so what happens is you
start getting a conspiracy
499
00:26:28,310 --> 00:26:30,729
in the ranks to the officer
corps who are saying,
500
00:26:30,729 --> 00:26:32,606
"Well, we're not gonna
lay down our arms
501
00:26:32,606 --> 00:26:35,108
"when the peace treaty arrives
unless were paid by Congress.
502
00:26:35,108 --> 00:26:37,986
"And if need be,
we're gonna march on Congress
503
00:26:37,986 --> 00:26:39,780
and force them to pay us."
504
00:26:39,780 --> 00:26:42,991
- What they're plottingis more than a mutiny.
505
00:26:42,991 --> 00:26:45,953
It's a military takeoverof the government,
506
00:26:45,953 --> 00:26:49,122
and they want Washingtonto lead it.
507
00:26:49,122 --> 00:26:50,582
- There's a group in the army
508
00:26:50,582 --> 00:26:53,293
that wants to march
on Philadelphia
509
00:26:53,293 --> 00:26:55,587
and crown Washington
emperor.
510
00:26:55,587 --> 00:26:57,089
- George Washington,
all of a sudden,
511
00:26:57,089 --> 00:26:59,466
is this incredibly
popular superstar
512
00:26:59,466 --> 00:27:01,593
with an Army
that is loyal to him.
513
00:27:01,593 --> 00:27:03,095
What if he decided
514
00:27:03,095 --> 00:27:06,598
that he was gonna declare
himself in charge,
515
00:27:06,598 --> 00:27:08,517
that he's gonna ask
Congress to move along?
516
00:27:12,604 --> 00:27:14,982
- If you ask me,
this is not a question
517
00:27:14,982 --> 00:27:17,526
of what we must do,
the question is
518
00:27:17,526 --> 00:27:19,945
what we must do if Washington
refuses to take charge.
519
00:27:19,945 --> 00:27:21,947
- Right.
- Yeah.
520
00:27:21,947 --> 00:27:24,992
- General Horatio Gates isamong the officers pushing
521
00:27:24,992 --> 00:27:28,620
for Washington to leada rebellion against Congress.
522
00:27:28,620 --> 00:27:32,499
Others, like Henry Knox,are urging caution.
523
00:27:32,499 --> 00:27:34,001
- How can we be certain?
524
00:27:34,001 --> 00:27:36,712
- Washington has made
his assurances,
525
00:27:36,712 --> 00:27:39,506
and I have never known him
to be a liar.
526
00:27:39,506 --> 00:27:41,008
The worst we can do
527
00:27:41,008 --> 00:27:44,136
is rush into action
that cannot be undone.
528
00:27:44,136 --> 00:27:48,098
- Keep in mind that pretty much
every great revolution
529
00:27:48,098 --> 00:27:51,310
that had been run before
to take on tyranny,
530
00:27:51,310 --> 00:27:54,813
the rebellious general soon
revealed himself
531
00:27:54,813 --> 00:27:56,148
to be the new king
532
00:27:56,148 --> 00:27:57,858
and then a new kind of tyrant.
533
00:27:57,858 --> 00:28:02,404
This is one of the most
important early moments
534
00:28:02,404 --> 00:28:06,033
in the republic where things
could've all gone south.
535
00:28:06,033 --> 00:28:09,036
- The question before us
is a simple one, I think.
536
00:28:09,036 --> 00:28:12,205
Will we continue to allow
537
00:28:12,205 --> 00:28:14,958
the men who risked their lives
538
00:28:14,958 --> 00:28:17,544
in forging a new nation
539
00:28:17,544 --> 00:28:20,797
to be treated a second class?
540
00:28:20,797 --> 00:28:23,634
- We face enough real issues
than to allow ourselves
541
00:28:23,634 --> 00:28:25,677
to fall into hyperbole.
542
00:28:25,677 --> 00:28:29,848
- Is it hyperbole to say
we have been ignored,
543
00:28:29,848 --> 00:28:31,850
treated indifferently?
544
00:28:31,850 --> 00:28:33,393
I would list
all our grievances,
545
00:28:33,393 --> 00:28:35,395
but every man here
is well aware.
546
00:28:35,395 --> 00:28:37,856
- You know as well as I,
547
00:28:37,856 --> 00:28:40,609
Washington will not
stand talk of rebellion.
548
00:28:40,609 --> 00:28:42,527
- What rebellion?
549
00:28:42,527 --> 00:28:45,739
It is the men in this room
who led us to victory.
550
00:28:45,739 --> 00:28:47,532
- Men: Yes!
551
00:28:47,532 --> 00:28:49,701
- Not those in Philadelphia.
552
00:28:49,701 --> 00:28:54,414
- There are other ways to ensure
our grievances are heard.
553
00:28:54,414 --> 00:28:57,209
- Letters, formal requests.
554
00:28:57,209 --> 00:28:58,919
[laughter]
555
00:28:58,919 --> 00:29:00,712
- Tell me, General Knox,
556
00:29:00,712 --> 00:29:02,422
how has this helped us
in the past?
557
00:29:02,422 --> 00:29:06,176
- I for one put my trust
in Washington,
558
00:29:06,176 --> 00:29:09,513
and I would counsel
everyone here to do the same.
559
00:29:09,513 --> 00:29:12,933
- And I would counsel
that if Commander Washington
560
00:29:12,933 --> 00:29:15,102
is unwilling to do
what is necessary,
561
00:29:15,102 --> 00:29:18,188
then we have no choice
562
00:29:18,188 --> 00:29:21,149
but to take matters
into our own hands.
563
00:29:23,902 --> 00:29:25,862
- May I have permission
to speakto speak?
564
00:29:32,244 --> 00:29:34,955
- George Washingtonhas led his army
565
00:29:34,955 --> 00:29:37,332
to victory against Britain.
566
00:29:37,332 --> 00:29:41,086
But now some of his officersare counting on him
567
00:29:41,086 --> 00:29:45,048
to lead a new rebellionagainst their own government.
568
00:29:47,300 --> 00:29:48,969
- Gentlemen...
569
00:29:48,969 --> 00:29:51,471
- There have been
plenty of revolutions,
570
00:29:51,471 --> 00:29:53,015
and most of them fail,
571
00:29:53,015 --> 00:29:56,393
and they fail because
people get frustrated.
572
00:29:56,393 --> 00:29:58,854
They don't know where their
paycheck is coming from.
573
00:29:58,854 --> 00:30:03,275
These are relatable concerns
that Washington is facing.
574
00:30:03,275 --> 00:30:08,405
- As I have never left
your side one moment,
575
00:30:08,405 --> 00:30:12,451
as I have ever considered
my own military reputation
576
00:30:12,451 --> 00:30:15,829
as inescapably connected
with that of the army,
577
00:30:15,829 --> 00:30:18,331
it can scarcely be possible,
578
00:30:18,331 --> 00:30:21,501
in this late stage
of the war,
579
00:30:21,501 --> 00:30:25,672
that I am indifferent
to its interests.
580
00:30:25,672 --> 00:30:31,136
Let me entreat you
on your part
581
00:30:31,136 --> 00:30:32,637
not to take any measures
582
00:30:32,637 --> 00:30:36,850
which, viewed in the calm
light of reason,
583
00:30:36,850 --> 00:30:39,519
will lessen the dignity
584
00:30:39,519 --> 00:30:44,441
and sully the glory
you have hitherto maintained.
585
00:30:45,734 --> 00:30:48,028
- Washington tells
his officers,
586
00:30:48,028 --> 00:30:50,030
"No, you can't do this.
587
00:30:50,030 --> 00:30:52,240
"You can't use the military
to pressure Congress
588
00:30:52,240 --> 00:30:54,034
to get your back pay."
- If you do
589
00:30:54,034 --> 00:30:55,535
what you are thinking of doing,
590
00:30:55,535 --> 00:30:58,663
you will be undermining
the very core principles
591
00:30:58,663 --> 00:31:00,707
that we have been fighting for
for seven years.
592
00:31:00,707 --> 00:31:02,209
- Not only will
the American experiment
593
00:31:02,209 --> 00:31:03,543
be killed in its cradle,
594
00:31:03,543 --> 00:31:05,712
but it will reinforce
everyone who says
595
00:31:05,712 --> 00:31:09,549
that self-government
is not practical or possible.
596
00:31:09,549 --> 00:31:11,093
- And now...
597
00:31:12,844 --> 00:31:16,556
regarding of issue of payment.
598
00:31:16,556 --> 00:31:18,683
I have recently received word
599
00:31:18,683 --> 00:31:20,769
from a Virginia congressman.
600
00:31:22,020 --> 00:31:24,731
"Congress have been
for some time past...
601
00:31:28,485 --> 00:31:31,363
um, almost..."
602
00:31:35,367 --> 00:31:37,577
Apologies.
603
00:31:37,577 --> 00:31:42,082
I have grown blind
as well as gray
604
00:31:42,082 --> 00:31:44,084
in the service of my country.
605
00:31:44,084 --> 00:31:47,254
???
606
00:31:47,254 --> 00:31:51,007
- He pulls out his spectacles
from his, uh, breast pocket,
607
00:31:51,007 --> 00:31:52,592
unfolds them.
608
00:31:52,592 --> 00:31:54,803
And there he is,
showing this, uh, frailty
609
00:31:54,803 --> 00:31:56,805
in front of his officers
for the first time.
610
00:32:01,768 --> 00:32:04,104
- "A short time
will bring to a conclusion
611
00:32:04,104 --> 00:32:06,148
"our efforts to this business,
612
00:32:06,148 --> 00:32:08,483
which I'm in hopes
will terminate the adoption..."
613
00:32:08,483 --> 00:32:11,444
- When he shows that "I have
aged during this time,
614
00:32:11,444 --> 00:32:13,572
that I have suffered, too,"
615
00:32:13,572 --> 00:32:15,282
they understand
that he hears them
616
00:32:15,282 --> 00:32:17,450
and he's working
on their behalf.
617
00:32:17,450 --> 00:32:20,453
- It's Washington
playing that moment.
618
00:32:20,453 --> 00:32:23,081
What he does
is use who he is
619
00:32:23,081 --> 00:32:26,168
and the symbolism of who he is
to dissipate a situation.
620
00:32:26,168 --> 00:32:28,795
- And with that,
shame kicks in,
621
00:32:28,795 --> 00:32:32,424
a sense of shared sacrifice
that galvanized the officers
622
00:32:32,424 --> 00:32:34,801
and reminded them
what they were fighting for.
623
00:32:34,801 --> 00:32:38,638
- You will, by the dignity
of your conduct,
624
00:32:38,638 --> 00:32:42,642
afford occasion
for posterity to say,
625
00:32:42,642 --> 00:32:45,770
when speaking
of the glorious example
626
00:32:45,770 --> 00:32:50,525
you have exhibited to mankind,
627
00:32:50,525 --> 00:32:52,944
"Had this day been wanting,
628
00:32:52,944 --> 00:32:57,490
"the world has never seen
the last stage of perfection
629
00:32:57,490 --> 00:33:01,828
to which human nature
is capable of attaining."
630
00:33:01,828 --> 00:33:03,496
- When you look
at Washington in Newburgh,
631
00:33:03,496 --> 00:33:06,458
it's hard not to remember
this impulsive young man
632
00:33:06,458 --> 00:33:08,752
that he was during
the French and Indian War.
633
00:33:08,752 --> 00:33:11,296
And you think the reason
that they trust him
634
00:33:11,296 --> 00:33:15,133
is that he has proven himself
to be so steady,
635
00:33:15,133 --> 00:33:17,636
that he has proven himself
636
00:33:17,636 --> 00:33:21,014
to deliver the most outrageous
win of all time.
637
00:33:21,014 --> 00:33:22,849
So if he can defeat
638
00:33:22,849 --> 00:33:26,394
one of the greatest
superpowers in the world,
639
00:33:26,394 --> 00:33:28,104
he can deliver their pay.
640
00:33:31,483 --> 00:33:33,693
- Washington
and the Newburgh Address
641
00:33:33,693 --> 00:33:36,821
is one of the very few moments
in world history
642
00:33:36,821 --> 00:33:39,199
where revolution
in favor of liberty ended
643
00:33:39,199 --> 00:33:41,534
without a military coup
644
00:33:41,534 --> 00:33:43,036
and ended
with the rule of law.
645
00:33:43,036 --> 00:33:45,580
???
646
00:33:45,580 --> 00:33:49,876
- Six months after Washingtonputs talk of a coup to rest,
647
00:33:49,876 --> 00:33:53,922
and nearly two years afterthe final battle at Yorktown,
648
00:33:53,922 --> 00:33:56,967
the Treaty of Parisis finally signed.
649
00:33:56,967 --> 00:33:59,219
The war is over.
650
00:33:59,219 --> 00:34:01,888
Providence is the word
he uses a lot
651
00:34:01,888 --> 00:34:07,852
to try to describe to people
how we won the war
652
00:34:07,852 --> 00:34:09,437
right after the war.
653
00:34:09,437 --> 00:34:11,565
"If historians ever take
to writing about this,
654
00:34:11,565 --> 00:34:13,358
"they will be accused
to writing fiction
655
00:34:13,358 --> 00:34:15,026
"because no one will believe
656
00:34:15,026 --> 00:34:18,113
"that, uh, a group
of ragtag soldiers like this
657
00:34:18,113 --> 00:34:20,490
could ever possibly defeat
the British Army and Navy."
658
00:34:20,490 --> 00:34:24,244
- On November 25th, 1783,
659
00:34:24,244 --> 00:34:28,081
seven years after runningWashington out of New York,
660
00:34:28,081 --> 00:34:31,084
the Redcoats evacuate the city.
661
00:34:31,084 --> 00:34:34,087
Within hours,hundreds of citizens
662
00:34:34,087 --> 00:34:35,755
are lining the streetsto celebrate
663
00:34:35,755 --> 00:34:39,551
Washington's triumphantreturn to New York.
664
00:34:39,551 --> 00:34:42,345
Soon after,the Continental Army
665
00:34:42,345 --> 00:34:44,180
is peacefully disbanded
666
00:34:44,180 --> 00:34:47,267
and Washington formallyresigns his post
667
00:34:47,267 --> 00:34:49,728
as commander-in-chief.
668
00:34:49,728 --> 00:34:51,479
- If you had just defeated
669
00:34:51,479 --> 00:34:53,356
the greatest empire
in the world,
670
00:34:53,356 --> 00:34:55,108
the idea
that you would then say
671
00:34:55,108 --> 00:34:57,652
"Okay, thanks, I'm going to go
farm and make whiskey
672
00:34:57,652 --> 00:34:59,154
and grow hemp,"
673
00:34:59,154 --> 00:35:01,781
it wasn't done,
but he did it.
674
00:35:01,781 --> 00:35:04,618
- In England,
when King George III hears
675
00:35:04,618 --> 00:35:06,453
that Washington has surrendered
power and gone home,
676
00:35:06,453 --> 00:35:10,206
he replies by saying,
"Well, if he did that,
677
00:35:10,206 --> 00:35:12,626
"he will be the greatest man
in the world."
678
00:35:12,626 --> 00:35:14,794
???
679
00:35:14,794 --> 00:35:17,714
[birds chirping]
680
00:35:23,345 --> 00:35:27,307
- When George Washington
wrote to Martha in 1775,
681
00:35:27,307 --> 00:35:29,309
he said,
"I'll be home by Christmas,"
682
00:35:29,309 --> 00:35:32,520
he meant
the following Christmas.
683
00:35:32,520 --> 00:35:34,272
But it's already
into the 1780s.
684
00:35:34,272 --> 00:35:37,192
???
685
00:35:59,255 --> 00:36:03,093
- I am once again
a private citizen, Martha.
686
00:36:04,678 --> 00:36:08,014
- And it did not take
that long at all.
687
00:36:08,014 --> 00:36:10,141
- [laughs]
688
00:36:10,141 --> 00:36:13,311
- Come, everything is ready.
689
00:36:23,113 --> 00:36:27,033
- I feel myself easedof a load of public care.
690
00:36:27,033 --> 00:36:29,369
I hope to spendthe remainder of my days
691
00:36:29,369 --> 00:36:32,497
in cultivating the affectionsof good men
692
00:36:32,497 --> 00:36:35,667
and in the practiceof domestic virtues.
693
00:36:35,667 --> 00:36:38,586
???
694
00:36:44,050 --> 00:36:45,719
- He's done his duty.
695
00:36:45,719 --> 00:36:48,847
He doesn't assume
that more is to come.
696
00:36:48,847 --> 00:36:50,598
And he doesn't know
697
00:36:50,598 --> 00:36:52,058
that there's gonna be
a new constitution.
698
00:36:52,058 --> 00:36:53,518
He doesn't know
there's gonna be
699
00:36:53,518 --> 00:36:55,019
anything
called the presidency.
700
00:36:55,019 --> 00:36:56,646
- In the years
701
00:36:56,646 --> 00:36:59,733
immediatelyfollowing the Revolution,
702
00:36:59,733 --> 00:37:02,444
the young countryis in turmoil.
703
00:37:04,070 --> 00:37:06,406
The 13 statesare bound together
704
00:37:06,406 --> 00:37:08,867
under the Articlesof Confederation.
705
00:37:08,867 --> 00:37:12,454
But while the pact allowsCongress to enact laws,
706
00:37:12,454 --> 00:37:15,457
it has no powerto enforce them.
707
00:37:15,457 --> 00:37:18,585
And there's no consensusamong the states
708
00:37:18,585 --> 00:37:20,378
about how to run a government.
709
00:37:22,881 --> 00:37:24,841
- All the states
looked upon themselves
710
00:37:24,841 --> 00:37:26,551
as independent nations.
711
00:37:26,551 --> 00:37:29,929
They owed nothing
by way of sovereignty
712
00:37:29,929 --> 00:37:31,431
to any higher authority.
713
00:37:31,431 --> 00:37:35,101
- They understood
that there had to be
714
00:37:35,101 --> 00:37:37,103
strength in union,
715
00:37:37,103 --> 00:37:40,565
but they never wanted
the strength in union
716
00:37:40,565 --> 00:37:44,277
to take their autonomy away.
717
00:37:44,277 --> 00:37:46,446
- The country had been
ravaged by war,
718
00:37:46,446 --> 00:37:48,531
the economy had been destroyed,
719
00:37:48,531 --> 00:37:51,451
and there was no
national currency.
720
00:37:51,451 --> 00:37:53,244
So Congress couldn't raise
any money
721
00:37:53,244 --> 00:37:54,913
to pay off its national debt.
722
00:37:54,913 --> 00:37:56,456
- The states all turned inward,
723
00:37:56,456 --> 00:37:58,625
and you begin to have
a variety
724
00:37:58,625 --> 00:38:01,795
of different kinds
of disruptions and arguments
725
00:38:01,795 --> 00:38:03,922
and disagreements
throughout the states.
726
00:38:03,922 --> 00:38:05,965
And, really, the fragility
of what's being attempted here
727
00:38:05,965 --> 00:38:07,467
becomes very apparent.
728
00:38:07,467 --> 00:38:09,594
- And it looked
as though the victories
729
00:38:09,594 --> 00:38:11,095
that had been won
on the battlefield
730
00:38:11,095 --> 00:38:13,973
were gonna be lost
in the halls of politics.
731
00:38:13,973 --> 00:38:15,934
And for somebody
like George Washington,
732
00:38:15,934 --> 00:38:19,437
in particular,
this is really discouraging
733
00:38:19,437 --> 00:38:21,523
because by this time
734
00:38:21,523 --> 00:38:23,191
he's being called
the father of his country
735
00:38:23,191 --> 00:38:24,150
and his country
is falling apart
736
00:38:24,150 --> 00:38:26,820
before his very eyes.
737
00:38:26,820 --> 00:38:28,822
- How melancholyis the reflection,
738
00:38:28,822 --> 00:38:30,406
that in so short a space
739
00:38:30,406 --> 00:38:32,492
we should've madesuch large strides
740
00:38:32,492 --> 00:38:34,285
towards fulfillingthe prediction
741
00:38:34,285 --> 00:38:36,079
of our transatlantic foe!
742
00:38:36,079 --> 00:38:38,331
Leave them to themselves
743
00:38:38,331 --> 00:38:41,125
and their governmentwill soon dissolve.
744
00:38:41,125 --> 00:38:43,962
Will not the wiseand goods strive hard
745
00:38:43,962 --> 00:38:46,172
to avert this evil?
746
00:38:46,172 --> 00:38:48,508
???
747
00:38:48,508 --> 00:38:51,094
- In the spring of 1787,
748
00:38:51,094 --> 00:38:53,179
the Founding Fatherscall on delegates
749
00:38:53,179 --> 00:38:57,016
from the 13 statesto convene in Philadelphia.
750
00:38:57,016 --> 00:39:00,687
Their mission,build a more effective union.
751
00:39:00,687 --> 00:39:02,856
Benjamin Franklin,
752
00:39:02,856 --> 00:39:04,482
Alexander Hamilton,
753
00:39:04,482 --> 00:39:06,526
now an assemblymanfrom New York,
754
00:39:06,526 --> 00:39:09,153
and James Madisonfrom Virginia
755
00:39:09,153 --> 00:39:11,030
all agree to attend.
756
00:39:11,030 --> 00:39:15,535
But George Washingtonis undecided.
757
00:39:15,535 --> 00:39:18,162
- This is one of many moments
in which people step forward
758
00:39:18,162 --> 00:39:20,039
and say, "You know,
it's pretty important
759
00:39:20,039 --> 00:39:22,208
that you'll be there.
People trust you."
760
00:39:22,208 --> 00:39:25,587
And so he ends up being at the
constitutional convention.
761
00:39:25,587 --> 00:39:28,381
He presides over
the constitutional convention,
762
00:39:28,381 --> 00:39:30,592
not because he's eager,
necessarily, to shape things,
763
00:39:30,592 --> 00:39:32,927
but because he felt
it was important to be there.
764
00:39:32,927 --> 00:39:36,055
- In its nearlyfour months in session
765
00:39:36,055 --> 00:39:37,724
the constitutional convention
766
00:39:37,724 --> 00:39:40,059
reinventsthe American government,
767
00:39:40,059 --> 00:39:43,354
writing a new constitutionthat paves the way
768
00:39:43,354 --> 00:39:47,358
for Washington to be electedits first chief executive.
769
00:39:47,358 --> 00:39:49,986
- The Jeffersons, the Madisons,and all the others,
770
00:39:49,986 --> 00:39:53,364
assembled inIndependence Hall in 1787.
771
00:39:53,364 --> 00:39:55,742
And they all looked to him
because he was a war hero.
772
00:39:55,742 --> 00:39:58,578
They wouldn't be there
if it hadn't been for him.
773
00:39:58,578 --> 00:40:01,915
- It was understood without
anybody having to say anything
774
00:40:01,915 --> 00:40:03,917
that the presidency
was gonna be occupied
775
00:40:03,917 --> 00:40:05,585
by George Washington.
776
00:40:05,585 --> 00:40:07,587
It's one of the reasons
that, in the Constitution,
777
00:40:07,587 --> 00:40:09,672
the presidency
is simply sketched in.
778
00:40:09,672 --> 00:40:11,382
They just looked over
at Washington, said,
779
00:40:11,382 --> 00:40:13,051
"Okay, well,
he'll figure it out."
780
00:40:13,051 --> 00:40:15,553
- Washington, right before
he becomes president,
781
00:40:15,553 --> 00:40:17,555
is in the perfect position.
782
00:40:17,555 --> 00:40:18,765
He has done the unthinkable.
783
00:40:18,765 --> 00:40:20,475
He's won the Revolution.
784
00:40:20,475 --> 00:40:23,227
He is a celebrity
in his own country
785
00:40:23,227 --> 00:40:25,605
and every country.
786
00:40:25,605 --> 00:40:27,941
The entire world respects him.
787
00:40:27,941 --> 00:40:30,568
???
788
00:40:30,568 --> 00:40:33,199
He has everything to lose
by becoming president.
789
00:40:40,832 --> 00:40:43,961
[crowd cheering]
790
00:40:48,298 --> 00:40:51,134
- George Washington spentdecades of his life
791
00:40:51,134 --> 00:40:53,637
helping to createa new nation.
792
00:40:53,637 --> 00:40:55,430
Now 57,
793
00:40:55,430 --> 00:40:59,518
he's the only manthat people trust to lead it.
794
00:40:59,518 --> 00:41:03,355
His election to the presidencyis unanimous.
795
00:41:05,148 --> 00:41:07,109
- No presidentin American history
796
00:41:07,109 --> 00:41:10,320
did not wish to be presidentmore than George Washington.
797
00:41:10,320 --> 00:41:13,490
- My movements to the chairof government
798
00:41:13,490 --> 00:41:16,785
will be accompaniedwith feelings not unlike those
799
00:41:16,785 --> 00:41:20,706
of a culprit who is going tothe place of his execution.
800
00:41:20,706 --> 00:41:24,668
[crowd cheering]
801
00:41:24,668 --> 00:41:29,006
- He knew, the minute
he actually assumed
802
00:41:29,006 --> 00:41:30,757
the responsibilities of office,
803
00:41:30,757 --> 00:41:32,467
no matter
how good a job he did,
804
00:41:32,467 --> 00:41:34,177
he was gonna make
some enemies.
805
00:41:34,177 --> 00:41:36,680
And that frightened him a lot,
806
00:41:36,680 --> 00:41:38,682
but to then turn around
and walk away
807
00:41:38,682 --> 00:41:42,894
from this new entity that he'd
worked so hard to create,
808
00:41:42,894 --> 00:41:45,731
at the very moment when
arguably he was needed most,
809
00:41:45,731 --> 00:41:49,443
would've been deemed
an act of selfishness
810
00:41:49,443 --> 00:41:53,196
which would contradict
his code of honor.
811
00:41:53,196 --> 00:41:55,240
[cheers and applause]
812
00:41:55,240 --> 00:41:58,243
???
813
00:42:03,206 --> 00:42:08,211
- I do solemnly swear.
- I do solemnly swear.
814
00:42:08,211 --> 00:42:10,213
- That I will faithfully execute
815
00:42:10,213 --> 00:42:13,550
the Office of President
of the United States.
816
00:42:13,550 --> 00:42:16,386
- That I will faithfully execute
817
00:42:16,386 --> 00:42:19,598
the Office of President
of the United States.
818
00:42:19,598 --> 00:42:22,309
- And will, to the best
of my ability...
819
00:42:22,309 --> 00:42:25,771
- And will,
to the best of my ability...
820
00:42:25,771 --> 00:42:28,231
- Preserve, protect, and defend
821
00:42:28,231 --> 00:42:31,234
the Constitution
of the United States.
822
00:42:31,234 --> 00:42:34,404
- Preserve, protect, and defend
823
00:42:34,404 --> 00:42:36,698
the Constitution
of the United States.
824
00:42:38,533 --> 00:42:40,619
- Long live
George Washington,
825
00:42:40,619 --> 00:42:42,287
President of the United States.
826
00:42:42,287 --> 00:42:45,332
[cheers and applause]
827
00:42:50,128 --> 00:42:54,800
- Integrity and firmnessis all I can promise.
828
00:42:54,800 --> 00:42:58,220
These, be the voyagelong or short,
829
00:42:58,220 --> 00:43:01,640
never shall forsake me,
830
00:43:01,640 --> 00:43:05,435
although I may be desertedby all men.
831
00:43:05,435 --> 00:43:09,147
[cheers and applause]
832
00:43:09,147 --> 00:43:11,775
- What the heck is a president?
Like, no one knew.
833
00:43:11,775 --> 00:43:15,445
He had to have enough
gravitas and dignity
834
00:43:15,445 --> 00:43:18,031
to be seen as a leader
of a nation
835
00:43:18,031 --> 00:43:19,825
in a world of monarchies.
836
00:43:19,825 --> 00:43:22,828
But on the other hand,
he can't be monarchical
837
00:43:22,828 --> 00:43:24,830
in any way, or kingly,
because people are terrified
838
00:43:24,830 --> 00:43:26,873
that the nation's
gonna slip right back
839
00:43:26,873 --> 00:43:28,625
into becoming a monarchy.
840
00:43:28,625 --> 00:43:30,544
And many people had
a lot of misgivings
841
00:43:30,544 --> 00:43:32,879
about how much power
this new centralized government
842
00:43:32,879 --> 00:43:34,464
was going to have.
843
00:43:34,464 --> 00:43:37,300
- He could've been king,
but that was not him.
844
00:43:37,300 --> 00:43:39,469
He believed
in what he was doing.
845
00:43:39,469 --> 00:43:40,637
It's those
who really don't believe
846
00:43:40,637 --> 00:43:42,097
in what they are doing,
847
00:43:42,097 --> 00:43:43,807
who are just interested
in power.
848
00:43:43,807 --> 00:43:47,686
He wasn't interested
in power. He had power.
849
00:43:47,686 --> 00:43:51,648
-He's so conscious
of that responsibility,
850
00:43:51,648 --> 00:43:54,317
the power of being
a president without precedent,
851
00:43:54,317 --> 00:43:57,320
and that he's setting a model
that others will follow.
852
00:43:57,320 --> 00:43:59,406
- He writes letters
to a number of people
853
00:43:59,406 --> 00:44:02,492
and what he wants is, really,
basic advice, like,
854
00:44:02,492 --> 00:44:04,661
"How accessible should I be
to the American people?
855
00:44:04,661 --> 00:44:06,163
"Should I accept
dinner invitations?
856
00:44:06,163 --> 00:44:08,373
"Does a president
shake hands with Americans?
857
00:44:08,373 --> 00:44:11,668
What kind of clothing should
a national leader wear?"
858
00:44:11,668 --> 00:44:13,712
He thinks again and again
as to what he can do
859
00:44:13,712 --> 00:44:17,507
to prove to people that he's
not some superhuman king.
860
00:44:17,507 --> 00:44:20,343
Every day, at a certain time
in the afternoon,
861
00:44:20,343 --> 00:44:22,053
he takes a walk
around the block.
862
00:44:22,053 --> 00:44:24,764
He looks at a steeple
with a clock on it,
863
00:44:24,764 --> 00:44:27,350
sets his watch,
and goes back to his work.
864
00:44:27,350 --> 00:44:29,895
He's not in a carriage.
He's in the muck of the street,
865
00:44:29,895 --> 00:44:33,023
and that's not accidental.
He's making a statement--
866
00:44:33,023 --> 00:44:36,860
"I am just like you
walking in the street."
867
00:44:36,860 --> 00:44:40,030
- To help him shapethe presidency,
868
00:44:40,030 --> 00:44:41,698
Washington assembles
869
00:44:41,698 --> 00:44:45,035
some of the brightest mindsin the country.
870
00:44:45,035 --> 00:44:47,913
- James Madison is a scholarly
fellow Virginian
871
00:44:47,913 --> 00:44:50,040
who has been very involved
in the process
872
00:44:50,040 --> 00:44:51,875
of creating the Constitution.
873
00:44:51,875 --> 00:44:54,419
- Madison is also
Washington's speechwriter,
874
00:44:54,419 --> 00:44:58,632
and he has unbelievable sway
and trust of the president.
875
00:44:58,632 --> 00:45:01,384
- Thomas Jefferson
is a Virginian
876
00:45:01,384 --> 00:45:03,386
who wrote the Declaration
of Independence,
877
00:45:03,386 --> 00:45:06,223
so he's someone who has a lot
of political experience.
878
00:45:06,223 --> 00:45:10,894
- Henry Knox had been
with Washington since 1775.
879
00:45:10,894 --> 00:45:12,771
He had seen the army suffer.
880
00:45:12,771 --> 00:45:15,899
He had seen what happens when
Congress can't pay its bills.
881
00:45:15,899 --> 00:45:20,278
Alexander Hamilton was
Washington's aide in the war,
882
00:45:20,278 --> 00:45:24,574
and he was loyal
to Washington personally.
883
00:45:24,574 --> 00:45:28,161
- They experienced the same
challenges during the war,
884
00:45:28,161 --> 00:45:29,621
dealing with
Continental Congress,
885
00:45:29,621 --> 00:45:31,581
and that really shaped
their politics.
886
00:45:31,581 --> 00:45:35,710
- Washington did not have
a topflight education,
887
00:45:35,710 --> 00:45:38,922
but he admired
people who did.
888
00:45:38,922 --> 00:45:42,634
He wanted the best people
that he could get
889
00:45:42,634 --> 00:45:44,302
on his team.
890
00:45:44,302 --> 00:45:46,137
- They don't always agree,
891
00:45:46,137 --> 00:45:49,099
but that's not necessarily
a concern to him
892
00:45:49,099 --> 00:45:53,520
because he thinks that actually
makes for a stronger debate.
893
00:45:53,520 --> 00:45:54,980
Right? "If there are
different views, fine,
894
00:45:54,980 --> 00:45:56,606
"have different views,
895
00:45:56,606 --> 00:45:58,149
"and then I will consider
the different views
896
00:45:58,149 --> 00:45:59,651
and come to a decision."
897
00:45:59,651 --> 00:46:02,279
- You can tell a lot
from leaders
898
00:46:02,279 --> 00:46:04,614
who like to empower
other people,
899
00:46:04,614 --> 00:46:07,534
who look for people who are
good at things they are not,
900
00:46:07,534 --> 00:46:09,202
who know things they don't.
901
00:46:09,202 --> 00:46:10,578
Washington was like that.
902
00:46:12,247 --> 00:46:15,292
- In his first 150 days,
903
00:46:15,292 --> 00:46:17,419
Washington, his advisers,
904
00:46:17,419 --> 00:46:20,130
and the Congressworked together
905
00:46:20,130 --> 00:46:23,842
to invent the Americangovernment as we know it.
906
00:46:23,842 --> 00:46:27,137
- This is a enormously
productive time.
907
00:46:27,137 --> 00:46:29,306
Look at what they accomplished
in that first year.
908
00:46:29,306 --> 00:46:30,807
- They created
the executive branch,
909
00:46:30,807 --> 00:46:33,143
the judiciary branch,
the first tax laws.
910
00:46:33,143 --> 00:46:34,644
- The Bill of Rights
911
00:46:34,644 --> 00:46:35,979
that talked about the way
the government
912
00:46:35,979 --> 00:46:38,023
could not infringe
upon other people,
913
00:46:38,023 --> 00:46:39,524
the citizens' rights.
914
00:46:39,524 --> 00:46:41,109
- They set up
the Patent Office.
915
00:46:41,109 --> 00:46:43,820
They strengthened a system
of our economy.
916
00:46:43,820 --> 00:46:45,697
There's a proclamation
of Thanksgiving.
917
00:46:45,697 --> 00:46:48,199
- All these things were signedin one way or another
918
00:46:48,199 --> 00:46:49,659
by George Washington.
919
00:46:49,659 --> 00:46:51,578
- It is this audacious
experiment.
920
00:46:51,578 --> 00:46:53,580
Washington
and the Founding Fathers
921
00:46:53,580 --> 00:46:55,332
basically inspire a nation
to strengthen
922
00:46:55,332 --> 00:46:57,834
its civic backbone,
and in the process,
923
00:46:57,834 --> 00:46:59,544
it just creates the precedent
924
00:46:59,544 --> 00:47:02,172
that people
can self-govern themselves,
925
00:47:02,172 --> 00:47:03,840
and I think
we've lost sight
926
00:47:03,840 --> 00:47:07,052
of just how revolutionary
that idea is.
927
00:47:07,052 --> 00:47:09,346
- In June of 1790,
928
00:47:09,346 --> 00:47:13,058
Congress also chooses a sitefor a new capital city
929
00:47:13,058 --> 00:47:15,769
on the banksof the Potomac River,
930
00:47:15,769 --> 00:47:19,731
what will one daybecome Washington, D. C.
931
00:47:19,731 --> 00:47:23,693
The plan is to build itby the end of the decade.
932
00:47:23,693 --> 00:47:26,696
Until then, the governmentand the president
933
00:47:26,696 --> 00:47:30,784
take up temporary residencein Philadelphia.
934
00:47:30,784 --> 00:47:33,787
[bell ringing]
935
00:47:35,372 --> 00:47:37,749
- Please clear the table.
936
00:47:37,749 --> 00:47:40,377
Ensure that all the plates
and silverware
937
00:47:40,377 --> 00:47:42,212
are put away before you leave.
938
00:47:42,212 --> 00:47:45,465
- For the Washingtons,whose household is run
939
00:47:45,465 --> 00:47:49,260
by at least a half a dozenenslaved women and men,
940
00:47:49,260 --> 00:47:52,764
living in Pennsylvaniais problematic.
941
00:47:52,764 --> 00:47:54,891
Governed by Quakers,
942
00:47:54,891 --> 00:47:57,102
it's one of the first statesto commit
943
00:47:57,102 --> 00:48:00,146
to ending slaverywithin its borders.
944
00:48:00,146 --> 00:48:03,525
- The Gradual Abolition Act
of 1780 stated
945
00:48:03,525 --> 00:48:07,237
that if you were a non-resident
and you came to Pennsylvania,
946
00:48:07,237 --> 00:48:09,072
you could bring
your slaves with you,
947
00:48:09,072 --> 00:48:11,741
but you could only stay
for a period of six months.
948
00:48:11,741 --> 00:48:14,494
- If an enslaved person
was in Pennsylvania
949
00:48:14,494 --> 00:48:15,912
for more than six months,
950
00:48:15,912 --> 00:48:18,373
they could be granted
their freedom.
951
00:48:18,373 --> 00:48:19,707
- Hello, dearest.
952
00:48:24,087 --> 00:48:25,171
Christopher.
953
00:48:28,550 --> 00:48:31,803
Bring the president some tea
and see that he is comfortable.
954
00:48:31,803 --> 00:48:34,013
???
955
00:48:34,013 --> 00:48:37,475
-Washington, like many other
slave-holding presidents,
956
00:48:37,475 --> 00:48:40,186
is not willing to go
without his slaves,
957
00:48:40,186 --> 00:48:42,647
but he's also not willing
to follow the rules,
958
00:48:42,647 --> 00:48:44,732
and so he finds
a kind of loophole.
959
00:48:46,818 --> 00:48:48,778
- In case it shall be found
960
00:48:48,778 --> 00:48:51,281
that any of my slavesshall attempt their freedom
961
00:48:51,281 --> 00:48:53,992
at the expirationof six months,
962
00:48:53,992 --> 00:48:57,620
it is my wish and desirethat you would send them home,
963
00:48:57,620 --> 00:48:59,330
for although I do not think
964
00:48:59,330 --> 00:49:02,000
they would be benefittedby the change,
965
00:49:02,000 --> 00:49:05,670
the idea of freedom mightbe too great a temptation
966
00:49:05,670 --> 00:49:07,630
for them to resist.
967
00:49:07,630 --> 00:49:09,674
- Basically,
they were to create
968
00:49:09,674 --> 00:49:11,718
a slave rotation plan.
969
00:49:11,718 --> 00:49:13,553
Every six months,
970
00:49:13,553 --> 00:49:16,139
the Washingtons
would rotate their slaves
971
00:49:16,139 --> 00:49:18,516
out of Pennsylvania
back to Virginia.
972
00:49:18,516 --> 00:49:21,895
And if that was too
problematic or cumbersome,
973
00:49:21,895 --> 00:49:24,772
a quick trip across the river
to Trenton, New Jersey,
974
00:49:24,772 --> 00:49:28,485
would basically stop the clock
on freedom.
975
00:49:30,320 --> 00:49:34,657
- It behooves me to preventthe emancipation of them.
976
00:49:34,657 --> 00:49:38,536
Otherwise, I shall not onlylose the use of them,
977
00:49:38,536 --> 00:49:42,040
but may have them to pay for.
978
00:49:42,040 --> 00:49:44,751
I wish to have itaccomplished under pretext
979
00:49:44,751 --> 00:49:49,172
that may deceiveboth them and the public.
980
00:49:49,172 --> 00:49:51,382
- You want him to take
a leadership position
981
00:49:51,382 --> 00:49:53,885
on the slavery issue,
and you're gonna be disappointed
982
00:49:53,885 --> 00:49:55,345
as you read
his correspondence.
983
00:49:55,345 --> 00:49:58,348
He doesn't think
the way you want him to.
984
00:49:58,348 --> 00:50:01,226
He sees the slaves
as his property
985
00:50:01,226 --> 00:50:04,604
that he can't afford to lose.
986
00:50:04,604 --> 00:50:07,398
- Washington fears
that abolishing slavery
987
00:50:07,398 --> 00:50:10,193
would divide the union
into two.
988
00:50:10,193 --> 00:50:13,738
The focus at that time was
establishing the new nation.
989
00:50:13,738 --> 00:50:17,242
So Washington
was pushing the decision
990
00:50:17,242 --> 00:50:19,911
about what to do with
the institution of slavery
991
00:50:19,911 --> 00:50:22,247
to people
that came after him.
992
00:50:22,247 --> 00:50:25,250
???
993
00:50:28,211 --> 00:50:30,922
- America's reckoningover slavery
994
00:50:30,922 --> 00:50:33,508
is still decadesin the future,
995
00:50:33,508 --> 00:50:35,218
but Washington'sabout to face
996
00:50:35,218 --> 00:50:37,220
a more immediate threatto the nation--
997
00:50:37,220 --> 00:50:39,055
[chanting]
998
00:50:39,055 --> 00:50:42,381
A call to armsagainst his own government.
999
00:50:50,654 --> 00:50:52,522
- More than two yearsinto Washington's first term,
1000
00:50:52,522 --> 00:50:56,109
the people are rising up
1001
00:50:56,109 --> 00:50:58,945
over a new tax on whiskey,
1002
00:50:58,945 --> 00:51:02,198
one the presidentsigned into law.
1003
00:51:04,951 --> 00:51:06,286
- He's approaching.
- Come on.
1004
00:51:06,286 --> 00:51:08,288
[cheering]
1005
00:51:08,288 --> 00:51:10,165
- No more taxes!
No more taxes!
1006
00:51:10,165 --> 00:51:13,168
- And now the tax collectoris a target.
1007
00:51:13,168 --> 00:51:14,586
- No more taxes!
1008
00:51:14,586 --> 00:51:16,838
No more taxes!
- Grab him!
1009
00:51:16,838 --> 00:51:19,174
[mob clamoring]
1010
00:51:19,174 --> 00:51:22,636
No more taxes!
- Come on!
1011
00:51:22,636 --> 00:51:25,138
- No more taxes.
No more taxes.
1012
00:51:25,138 --> 00:51:27,807
No more taxes!
No more taxes!
1013
00:51:27,807 --> 00:51:31,269
No more taxes! No more taxes!
1014
00:51:31,269 --> 00:51:33,772
No more taxes!
No more taxes!
1015
00:51:37,984 --> 00:51:41,154
- Paying back the debt
is a price of revolution.
1016
00:51:41,154 --> 00:51:43,782
- You will not find me
in disagreement,
1017
00:51:43,782 --> 00:51:46,660
yet not everyone is drawing
the same conclusion.
1018
00:51:46,660 --> 00:51:48,870
- If they continue to doubt
that we are one country,
1019
00:51:48,870 --> 00:51:50,163
we will fail.
1020
00:51:51,581 --> 00:51:53,333
- The tax is the work
1021
00:51:53,333 --> 00:51:56,503
of Treasury SecretaryAlexander Hamilton,
1022
00:51:56,503 --> 00:51:59,172
who's also pushingfor a national bank,
1023
00:51:59,172 --> 00:52:02,175
another unpopular idea.
1024
00:52:03,551 --> 00:52:07,180
- So when the nation launches,
it's deeply in debt.
1025
00:52:07,180 --> 00:52:11,476
There's no national financial
superstructure of any kind.
1026
00:52:11,476 --> 00:52:14,688
Hamilton realizes
that there needs to be a way
1027
00:52:14,688 --> 00:52:18,191
to raise money to pay
for aspects of governance.
1028
00:52:18,191 --> 00:52:20,694
He also wants
to establish a standard
1029
00:52:20,694 --> 00:52:23,071
that he can create
this kind of tax
1030
00:52:23,071 --> 00:52:25,657
and that people will abide
by it and pay it.
1031
00:52:25,657 --> 00:52:29,994
- Washington believed a strong
and coherent federal government
1032
00:52:29,994 --> 00:52:34,124
was the best bulwark
against disunion and chaos.
1033
00:52:35,333 --> 00:52:38,378
- No more taxes!
No more taxes!
1034
00:52:38,378 --> 00:52:41,047
No more taxes! No more taxes!
1035
00:52:41,047 --> 00:52:42,549
No more taxes!
No more taxes!
1036
00:52:42,549 --> 00:52:45,218
- Take it off.
- No more taxes!
1037
00:52:45,218 --> 00:52:47,387
- Take it off!
- No more taxes!
1038
00:52:47,387 --> 00:52:49,055
- Come on!
1039
00:52:49,055 --> 00:52:51,558
- The whiskey tax ends up
being very controversial
1040
00:52:51,558 --> 00:52:54,018
because it hits very hard
in the West
1041
00:52:54,018 --> 00:52:57,397
where whiskey is almost
a form of currency.
1042
00:52:57,397 --> 00:53:00,233
- We're not talking
about big whiskey producers.
1043
00:53:00,233 --> 00:53:02,569
We're talking
about grain farmers.
1044
00:53:02,569 --> 00:53:06,448
They pay their rent in produce,
in grain, and whiskey.
1045
00:53:06,448 --> 00:53:09,451
- From the standpoint
of lot of people in America,
1046
00:53:09,451 --> 00:53:12,662
this is exactly what
the British government had done.
1047
00:53:12,662 --> 00:53:15,749
And, my gosh, we're gonna
have to fight against this
1048
00:53:15,749 --> 00:53:17,417
the way we fought
against the British
1049
00:53:17,417 --> 00:53:18,960
when they were levying taxes.
1050
00:53:18,960 --> 00:53:21,254
- [groaning]
- Come on!
1051
00:53:21,254 --> 00:53:24,215
- Ha ha ha ha!
1052
00:53:24,215 --> 00:53:25,884
- People started saying,
1053
00:53:25,884 --> 00:53:28,845
"We've traded George III
of Britain
1054
00:53:28,845 --> 00:53:30,930
"for George I of America,
1055
00:53:30,930 --> 00:53:32,265
and we don't like this."
1056
00:53:32,265 --> 00:53:35,935
- [screaming]
1057
00:53:35,935 --> 00:53:37,979
???
1058
00:53:37,979 --> 00:53:41,524
- Tell Mr. Hamilton
he can keep his taxes.
1059
00:53:46,613 --> 00:53:49,157
- The powers of the Presidency
give you the right.
1060
00:53:49,157 --> 00:53:52,118
- Yes, but we must take care
1061
00:53:52,118 --> 00:53:54,913
not to lay claim
to more than we are due.
1062
00:53:54,913 --> 00:53:57,499
- A true leader must make
the right decisions,
1063
00:53:57,499 --> 00:54:00,668
not the ones
that will make everyone happy.
1064
00:54:00,668 --> 00:54:03,796
- Happiness is not my aim.
1065
00:54:03,796 --> 00:54:07,467
What we must achieve is unity.
1066
00:54:07,467 --> 00:54:11,137
- But dissent over Hamilton'sfinancial plans
1067
00:54:11,137 --> 00:54:15,808
is also causing a riftin Washington's inner circle.
1068
00:54:15,808 --> 00:54:17,977
Two of his closest advisers,
1069
00:54:17,977 --> 00:54:20,897
Thomas Jeffersonand James Madison,
1070
00:54:20,897 --> 00:54:22,815
are quietly recruitingallies
1071
00:54:22,815 --> 00:54:25,735
to opposeHamilton's influence.
1072
00:54:28,988 --> 00:54:32,242
- Washington had the best team
that he could get,
1073
00:54:32,242 --> 00:54:34,160
and they eventually began
1074
00:54:34,160 --> 00:54:37,664
to drift apart
and into a rivalry.
1075
00:54:37,664 --> 00:54:39,457
They were all
revolutionaries together
1076
00:54:39,457 --> 00:54:41,167
but they all didn't have
the same idea
1077
00:54:41,167 --> 00:54:43,628
about what the revolution
was supposed to be about.
1078
00:54:44,921 --> 00:54:46,506
Now,
1079
00:54:46,506 --> 00:54:48,967
we would never speak ill
of Washington.
1080
00:54:48,967 --> 00:54:52,053
He's a good man,
the only man for the Presidency.
1081
00:54:52,053 --> 00:54:56,099
- But that a pugnacious upstart
has corrupted his ear.
1082
00:54:56,099 --> 00:54:58,226
- I'm sure you have seen it
for yourself.
1083
00:54:58,226 --> 00:55:00,812
No one carries
more sway now than Hamilton.
1084
00:55:00,812 --> 00:55:04,649
- And, uh, we need not look far
for the consequences.
1085
00:55:04,649 --> 00:55:06,192
- The whiskey tax.
1086
00:55:06,192 --> 00:55:07,402
- It is a great disservice
to the people.
1087
00:55:07,402 --> 00:55:08,861
- But at the end of the day,
1088
00:55:08,861 --> 00:55:11,739
it is a merely a symptom
1089
00:55:11,739 --> 00:55:14,325
of the far more
troubling disease.
1090
00:55:16,703 --> 00:55:18,705
- Jefferson believes
that Washington
1091
00:55:18,705 --> 00:55:21,541
always sides with Hamilton.
1092
00:55:21,541 --> 00:55:24,502
And for the most part
he does because they share
1093
00:55:24,502 --> 00:55:27,380
a strong belief
in central government.
1094
00:55:27,380 --> 00:55:30,717
-Jefferson is trying
to flesh out the idea
1095
00:55:30,717 --> 00:55:32,969
of creating
a separate political party.
1096
00:55:32,969 --> 00:55:35,430
They don't see it
as being anti-Washington.
1097
00:55:35,430 --> 00:55:36,931
They feel
like they're fighting
1098
00:55:36,931 --> 00:55:38,391
to preserve the integrity
of the revolution.
1099
00:55:38,391 --> 00:55:40,351
- If we do not find
a permanent way
1100
00:55:40,351 --> 00:55:42,270
to check Hamilton's influence,
he will destroy
1101
00:55:42,270 --> 00:55:45,231
everything we have worked
so hard to build.
1102
00:55:45,231 --> 00:55:46,691
-Jefferson and Madison
1103
00:55:46,691 --> 00:55:48,651
don't assume
that they're creating
1104
00:55:48,651 --> 00:55:50,403
an organized opposition
to the government.
1105
00:55:50,403 --> 00:55:52,363
What they assume
is that they're trying
1106
00:55:52,363 --> 00:55:54,866
to save the government
from people who are warping it.
1107
00:55:54,866 --> 00:55:58,911
- On the eve of the secondpresidential election,
1108
00:55:58,911 --> 00:56:02,624
Washington remains wildlypopular with the public.
1109
00:56:02,624 --> 00:56:04,500
So Madison and Jefferson
1110
00:56:04,500 --> 00:56:07,545
mount a campaignto change that.
1111
00:56:07,545 --> 00:56:10,632
- One of the things that drove
the emergency parties was
1112
00:56:10,632 --> 00:56:12,884
to write newspapers that aimed
at a particular audience.
1113
00:56:12,884 --> 00:56:14,385
People tended
to read newspapers
1114
00:56:14,385 --> 00:56:15,928
that supported
their own positions.
1115
00:56:15,928 --> 00:56:17,263
- There was a gazette
in the United States
1116
00:56:17,263 --> 00:56:18,473
that was seen as very
1117
00:56:18,473 --> 00:56:20,600
pro-Washington's
administration,
1118
00:56:20,600 --> 00:56:22,602
a mouthpiece
for Hamilton's views.
1119
00:56:22,602 --> 00:56:24,354
- It's biased.
1120
00:56:24,354 --> 00:56:26,314
And so at an early point,
Jefferson and Madison think,
1121
00:56:26,314 --> 00:56:27,774
"We need another newspaper
1122
00:56:27,774 --> 00:56:29,275
"that has a different
point of view,"
1123
00:56:29,275 --> 00:56:31,903
and they create
the "National Gazette."
1124
00:56:34,572 --> 00:56:39,118
- The newspaper is a betrayalin more ways than one.
1125
00:56:39,118 --> 00:56:40,787
Jefferson's put the publisher
1126
00:56:40,787 --> 00:56:43,414
on the State Departmentpayroll.
1127
00:56:43,414 --> 00:56:46,584
Washington's own governmentis unwittingly funding
1128
00:56:46,584 --> 00:56:49,837
the attacks againsthis policies.
1129
00:56:49,837 --> 00:56:52,632
- This is obviously, like,
80 different kinds of shady.
1130
00:56:52,632 --> 00:56:55,301
And his surrogate sons
are the people
1131
00:56:55,301 --> 00:56:58,554
spearheading these efforts
underneath his nose.
1132
00:57:03,267 --> 00:57:04,477
He felt betrayed.
1133
00:57:04,477 --> 00:57:06,646
He was a man in psychic pain.
1134
00:57:06,646 --> 00:57:09,649
And he didn't wantto run for reelection.
1135
00:57:09,649 --> 00:57:12,985
He knew another four yearscould very well kill him.
1136
00:57:20,827 --> 00:57:22,829
- You see me again entering
1137
00:57:22,829 --> 00:57:27,125
upon the arduous dutiesof an important office.
1138
00:57:27,125 --> 00:57:30,837
And perhapsin no instance of my life
1139
00:57:30,837 --> 00:57:32,964
have I ever been more sensible
1140
00:57:32,964 --> 00:57:36,008
of the sacrificethan in the present.
1141
00:57:36,008 --> 00:57:39,011
For at my age,the love of retirement
1142
00:57:39,011 --> 00:57:43,516
grows every daymore and more powerful.
1143
00:57:43,516 --> 00:57:45,143
- Fetch me the box.
1144
00:57:45,143 --> 00:57:46,477
- Yes, sir.
1145
00:57:46,477 --> 00:57:48,312
- As Washington'sabout to embark
1146
00:57:48,312 --> 00:57:50,523
on his second termin office,
1147
00:57:50,523 --> 00:57:53,943
he's feeling the effectsof his 61 years.
1148
00:57:53,943 --> 00:57:55,653
In particular,
1149
00:57:55,653 --> 00:57:58,823
a problem that's plagued himfor decades.
1150
00:57:58,823 --> 00:58:00,533
-George Washington suffered
1151
00:58:00,533 --> 00:58:03,327
from a horrible
dental disease.
1152
00:58:03,327 --> 00:58:08,416
By the time he becomes President
of the United States,
1153
00:58:08,416 --> 00:58:11,210
he has maybe one tooth left
in his mouth.
1154
00:58:11,210 --> 00:58:14,338
???
1155
00:58:24,849 --> 00:58:27,018
- He now relieson a contraption
1156
00:58:27,018 --> 00:58:30,563
made from wires, screws,and hippopotamus ivory.
1157
00:58:30,563 --> 00:58:33,524
The replacement teethare not made of wood.
1158
00:58:33,524 --> 00:58:34,859
They're real teeth,
1159
00:58:34,859 --> 00:58:36,736
including some of his own
1160
00:58:36,736 --> 00:58:38,070
that had fallen out.
1161
00:58:38,070 --> 00:58:39,781
We know that he wanted them
1162
00:58:39,781 --> 00:58:42,408
to look
as natural as possible.
1163
00:58:42,408 --> 00:58:44,744
Farm animals, cows were used.
1164
00:58:44,744 --> 00:58:46,579
And we also know
that those dentures
1165
00:58:46,579 --> 00:58:50,374
were made from the teeth
of enslaved people.
1166
00:58:51,918 --> 00:58:54,587
- Washington
actually paid money
1167
00:58:54,587 --> 00:58:56,088
to have teeth removed,
1168
00:58:56,088 --> 00:58:58,382
healthy teeth removed
from enslaved people
1169
00:58:58,382 --> 00:59:00,635
to be then be placed
in his mouth.
1170
00:59:01,719 --> 00:59:03,638
- We know this because
1171
00:59:03,638 --> 00:59:05,932
it's written
in his account books.
1172
00:59:05,932 --> 00:59:07,433
He would often pay them
1173
00:59:07,433 --> 00:59:10,478
a couple of shillings
for a tooth.
1174
00:59:20,696 --> 00:59:22,615
- This wasn't
particular to him.
1175
00:59:22,615 --> 00:59:25,243
People of means
would advertise
1176
00:59:25,243 --> 00:59:27,912
for teeth in the newspaper.
1177
00:59:27,912 --> 00:59:30,248
And one of Washington's
dentists said this.
1178
00:59:30,248 --> 00:59:33,000
???
1179
00:59:37,296 --> 00:59:40,550
- The dentures are terribly
painful to wear.
1180
00:59:40,550 --> 00:59:44,136
That sort of grimace
on his face on the dollar bill,
1181
00:59:44,136 --> 00:59:45,888
angry Washington,
I mean, a lot of that--
1182
00:59:45,888 --> 00:59:47,098
has to do with his teeth.
1183
00:59:51,352 --> 00:59:55,064
- Well, that is done, then.
1184
00:59:55,064 --> 00:59:57,608
Now, let us hurry.
Time is wasting.
1185
00:59:57,608 --> 01:00:01,362
- Because of his dentures,he avoids public speaking.
1186
01:00:01,362 --> 01:00:04,782
But on this day,he'll have no choice.
1187
01:00:04,782 --> 01:00:07,451
Despite the risein partisan attacks
1188
01:00:07,451 --> 01:00:09,370
and dissensionin his own cabinet,
1189
01:00:09,370 --> 01:00:12,456
Washington's beenunanimously reelected
1190
01:00:12,456 --> 01:00:14,834
and is preparingto take the oath of office
1191
01:00:14,834 --> 01:00:16,586
for a second time.
1192
01:00:16,586 --> 01:00:19,463
-The presidency was taking
a lot out of him,
1193
01:00:19,463 --> 01:00:21,382
but Washington
can't leave just yet.
1194
01:00:21,382 --> 01:00:23,593
If he does,
everybody tells him
1195
01:00:23,593 --> 01:00:26,679
the nation could very well
descend into civil war.
1196
01:00:26,679 --> 01:00:28,139
- He didn't want
to be President.
1197
01:00:28,139 --> 01:00:30,516
He did it because
there was no one else.
1198
01:00:30,516 --> 01:00:33,102
He did it for the good
of his country.
1199
01:00:34,520 --> 01:00:37,106
- Fellow citizens,
1200
01:00:37,106 --> 01:00:39,525
I am again called upon
1201
01:00:39,525 --> 01:00:42,194
by the voice of my country.
1202
01:00:44,071 --> 01:00:46,365
- Washington's secondinaugural address
1203
01:00:46,365 --> 01:00:49,869
is the shortest everin American history--
1204
01:00:49,869 --> 01:00:53,164
just 135 words.
1205
01:00:54,332 --> 01:00:57,084
- I shall endeavor to express
1206
01:00:57,084 --> 01:00:59,545
the high sense I entertain
1207
01:00:59,545 --> 01:01:02,965
of this distinguished honor
1208
01:01:02,965 --> 01:01:04,759
and of the confidence
1209
01:01:04,759 --> 01:01:07,720
which has been reposedin me
1210
01:01:07,720 --> 01:01:11,641
by the peopleof United America.
1211
01:01:14,226 --> 01:01:15,770
- In his first term,
1212
01:01:15,770 --> 01:01:17,939
Washington built a nation.
1213
01:01:17,939 --> 01:01:23,069
Now, in his second,he must keep it together.
1214
01:01:23,069 --> 01:01:25,237
But his trusted advisers,
1215
01:01:25,237 --> 01:01:27,740
especially Hamiltonand Jefferson,
1216
01:01:27,740 --> 01:01:29,241
are increasingly at odds
1217
01:01:29,241 --> 01:01:33,204
over issuesat home and abroad.
1218
01:01:33,204 --> 01:01:36,999
Britain and Franceare once again at war.
1219
01:01:36,999 --> 01:01:41,545
Washington wants nothing to dowith the conflict.
1220
01:01:41,545 --> 01:01:43,714
- He was concerned about
1221
01:01:43,714 --> 01:01:47,426
keeping a fragile
nation together
1222
01:01:47,426 --> 01:01:51,806
and worried
that outside influences
1223
01:01:51,806 --> 01:01:53,557
might come in
and stir things up
1224
01:01:53,557 --> 01:01:56,560
and make it more difficult
to remain unified.
1225
01:01:56,560 --> 01:01:57,937
- He understood
1226
01:01:57,937 --> 01:02:01,440
that if the United States
became a toy
1227
01:02:01,440 --> 01:02:02,900
in this fight
between Britain and France,
1228
01:02:02,900 --> 01:02:04,610
if the United States
took sides,
1229
01:02:04,610 --> 01:02:08,322
then it would give
the other side every incentive
1230
01:02:08,322 --> 01:02:10,157
to try to destroy
the United States.
1231
01:02:10,157 --> 01:02:12,994
- Newspapers
are debating both sides.
1232
01:02:12,994 --> 01:02:15,538
People are wearing
French flags,
1233
01:02:15,538 --> 01:02:17,623
and they're gathering outside
the President's house.
1234
01:02:17,623 --> 01:02:19,125
And within his Cabinet,
1235
01:02:19,125 --> 01:02:22,253
he has Hamilton
arguing for neutrality.
1236
01:02:22,253 --> 01:02:23,796
- But Jefferson
and Madison said,
1237
01:02:23,796 --> 01:02:25,756
"France bailed us out.
They're our friends.
1238
01:02:25,756 --> 01:02:27,633
"They are the reason
we won the war.
1239
01:02:27,633 --> 01:02:29,301
"We've got to back them
in this."
1240
01:02:29,301 --> 01:02:31,512
Washington says, "Actually,
our deal was with a king
1241
01:02:31,512 --> 01:02:32,805
who no longer has a head."
1242
01:02:32,805 --> 01:02:34,849
- Washington took upon himself
1243
01:02:34,849 --> 01:02:36,976
to declare neutrality
for the United States.
1244
01:02:36,976 --> 01:02:38,477
-Washington and Hamilton,
they said,
1245
01:02:38,477 --> 01:02:40,146
"We need to be neutral."
Because of that,
1246
01:02:40,146 --> 01:02:42,273
they're castigated
as pro-English.
1247
01:02:42,273 --> 01:02:44,650
And this is one of
the key things
1248
01:02:44,650 --> 01:02:46,152
in American history,
1249
01:02:46,152 --> 01:02:48,487
a fundamental dividing line
1250
01:02:48,487 --> 01:02:50,364
that helps sparks
partisan politics
1251
01:02:50,364 --> 01:02:52,199
as we know it.
1252
01:02:52,199 --> 01:02:54,535
- Have you seen the papers?
Hmm?
1253
01:02:54,535 --> 01:02:56,495
This is a baseless charge,
1254
01:02:56,495 --> 01:02:58,539
and it must be publicly
address as such.
1255
01:02:58,539 --> 01:03:00,499
- The government
cannot be expected
1256
01:03:00,499 --> 01:03:03,002
to respond every time
1257
01:03:03,002 --> 01:03:06,172
an essay is published
that offends you.
1258
01:03:06,172 --> 01:03:08,632
- The President
is not the head of a party.
1259
01:03:08,632 --> 01:03:09,842
He is the head of a nation.
1260
01:03:09,842 --> 01:03:11,886
- A nation that ideologically
1261
01:03:11,886 --> 01:03:13,387
only seems to run
in one direction.
1262
01:03:13,387 --> 01:03:15,514
- If you disagree
with President's policies,
1263
01:03:15,514 --> 01:03:17,975
perhaps you should find
more persuasive arguments!
1264
01:03:17,975 --> 01:03:20,269
- Or perhaps I--
- Enough!
1265
01:03:28,861 --> 01:03:30,112
- If I may.
1266
01:03:31,739 --> 01:03:33,157
I fear this is an argument
1267
01:03:33,157 --> 01:03:36,118
that extends far beyond
this room.
1268
01:03:39,413 --> 01:03:42,458
They call it the funeral dirge
of George Washington.
1269
01:03:53,385 --> 01:03:54,970
- A king?
1270
01:03:58,099 --> 01:04:01,435
So I wish to be a king,
do I?
1271
01:04:02,603 --> 01:04:04,688
A tyrant?
1272
01:04:04,688 --> 01:04:06,899
Is that what I am now?
1273
01:04:11,904 --> 01:04:16,575
I did not want this.
1274
01:04:16,575 --> 01:04:19,453
I never asked for any of this.
1275
01:04:23,249 --> 01:04:26,710
My God!
I should rather be in my grave
1276
01:04:26,710 --> 01:04:28,712
than be made emperor
of this world,
1277
01:04:28,712 --> 01:04:32,216
and they charge me
with wanting to be a king?
1278
01:04:51,777 --> 01:04:53,237
Go on, then.
1279
01:04:56,615 --> 01:04:59,326
-Woodrow Wilson once said
that,
1280
01:04:59,326 --> 01:05:01,245
for some people,
1281
01:05:01,245 --> 01:05:04,582
words were more powerful
than bullets
1282
01:05:04,582 --> 01:05:06,458
and caused more pain.
1283
01:05:08,127 --> 01:05:10,462
So Washington, frankly,
1284
01:05:10,462 --> 01:05:12,798
compared to most other people
who've been President,
1285
01:05:12,798 --> 01:05:15,134
escaped most of the words,
1286
01:05:15,134 --> 01:05:19,471
but the one he didn't escape
hurt him.
1287
01:05:19,471 --> 01:05:20,973
- You know, in the 18th century
1288
01:05:20,973 --> 01:05:22,641
when they worry about
their "fame",
1289
01:05:22,641 --> 01:05:24,185
they weren't worried
about celebrity.
1290
01:05:24,185 --> 01:05:26,437
They were worried
about their reputation.
1291
01:05:28,272 --> 01:05:30,816
-American politics,
American media
1292
01:05:30,816 --> 01:05:33,027
during the 1790s
1293
01:05:33,027 --> 01:05:36,780
were as nasty as they've
ever been ever since.
1294
01:05:36,780 --> 01:05:39,325
- The really critical editors
would deliver three copies
1295
01:05:39,325 --> 01:05:42,036
of their paper every day
to the President's house,
1296
01:05:42,036 --> 01:05:44,330
even after he cancelled
their subscriptions,
1297
01:05:44,330 --> 01:05:46,332
just to piss him off.
1298
01:05:46,332 --> 01:05:48,167
- But from Washington's
perspective,
1299
01:05:48,167 --> 01:05:50,169
freedom of the press
came with
1300
01:05:50,169 --> 01:05:53,005
what the American victory
in the Revolutionary War
1301
01:05:53,005 --> 01:05:54,048
was all about.
1302
01:05:54,048 --> 01:05:55,633
He was not one
1303
01:05:55,633 --> 01:05:57,092
who was gonna abridge
freedom of the press.
1304
01:05:57,092 --> 01:05:58,636
He wasn't gonna be the one
who's gonna say,
1305
01:05:58,636 --> 01:06:00,304
"Okay, we're gonna
make this illegal."
1306
01:06:00,304 --> 01:06:01,555
???
1307
01:06:01,555 --> 01:06:03,474
[crowd shouting]
1308
01:06:03,474 --> 01:06:06,185
- But with protestsagainst the government's taxes
1309
01:06:06,185 --> 01:06:08,520
growing more violent,
1310
01:06:08,520 --> 01:06:11,023
Washington'srevolutionary ideals
1311
01:06:11,023 --> 01:06:14,652
are about to facethe ultimate test.
1312
01:06:21,867 --> 01:06:23,702
- For three years,
1313
01:06:23,702 --> 01:06:25,704
the people of Pennsylvaniahave refused to pay
1314
01:06:25,704 --> 01:06:28,249
Alexander Hamilton'swhiskey tax.
1315
01:06:28,249 --> 01:06:31,710
Now,when federal marshals arrived
1316
01:06:31,710 --> 01:06:33,545
to enforce the law,
1317
01:06:33,545 --> 01:06:35,881
a mob of 7,000 armed rebels
1318
01:06:35,881 --> 01:06:38,592
respond by marchingon Pittsburgh
1319
01:06:38,592 --> 01:06:41,053
to run them out of town.
1320
01:06:41,053 --> 01:06:44,223
[cheering]
1321
01:06:44,223 --> 01:06:47,726
- A lot of the people
who resented and opposed this
1322
01:06:47,726 --> 01:06:48,936
have been soldiers
in the revolution.
1323
01:06:48,936 --> 01:06:50,896
They knew how to take up arms.
1324
01:06:50,896 --> 01:06:52,481
- It's not just a matter
that there are people
1325
01:06:52,481 --> 01:06:53,899
in Western Pennsylvania
1326
01:06:53,899 --> 01:06:55,067
who don't want to pay
a whiskey tax.
1327
01:06:55,067 --> 01:06:56,860
The power of the government
1328
01:06:56,860 --> 01:06:58,237
and the authority of
the government is being tested.
1329
01:06:58,237 --> 01:07:00,072
- There weren't very many laws,
1330
01:07:00,072 --> 01:07:02,574
federal laws,
that touched individual lives.
1331
01:07:02,574 --> 01:07:04,285
Most laws that people
encountered
1332
01:07:04,285 --> 01:07:05,577
were state laws.
1333
01:07:05,577 --> 01:07:07,246
But this was one
of those rare ones,
1334
01:07:07,246 --> 01:07:10,124
and so does
the federal government
1335
01:07:10,124 --> 01:07:13,085
have the authority
to enforce these laws?
1336
01:07:13,085 --> 01:07:15,462
Can it in effect
defend itself?
1337
01:07:15,462 --> 01:07:17,631
- So Hamilton encourages
1338
01:07:17,631 --> 01:07:20,467
that there should be armed
forces
1339
01:07:20,467 --> 01:07:21,927
sent to western
Pennsylvania
1340
01:07:21,927 --> 01:07:23,762
to quash this rebellion
1341
01:07:23,762 --> 01:07:25,055
and really show
that the government
1342
01:07:25,055 --> 01:07:27,141
can enforce its mandates.
1343
01:07:27,141 --> 01:07:30,269
- Many personshave been hardy enough
1344
01:07:30,269 --> 01:07:34,064
to perpetrate actswhich amount to treason,
1345
01:07:34,064 --> 01:07:39,320
being overt acts of levying waragainst the United States.
1346
01:07:39,320 --> 01:07:42,448
- Washington issuesa proclamation
1347
01:07:42,448 --> 01:07:44,700
ordering the rebelsto disperse
1348
01:07:44,700 --> 01:07:46,869
or face the consequences.
1349
01:07:48,037 --> 01:07:50,664
- It is in my judgment
1350
01:07:50,664 --> 01:07:54,585
necessary to call forththe militia
1351
01:07:54,585 --> 01:07:59,131
to cause the lawsto be duly executed.
1352
01:07:59,131 --> 01:08:03,510
The essential interestof the union demand it.
1353
01:08:05,179 --> 01:08:07,806
- By October 1794,
1354
01:08:07,806 --> 01:08:11,560
nearly 12,000 militia menfrom four states
1355
01:08:11,560 --> 01:08:14,480
are assembledon Washington's orders
1356
01:08:14,480 --> 01:08:17,024
to end the uprising.
1357
01:08:17,024 --> 01:08:19,818
Washington, now 62,
1358
01:08:19,818 --> 01:08:22,488
and Hamilton are backin uniform
1359
01:08:22,488 --> 01:08:25,908
to personally commandthe operation.
1360
01:08:25,908 --> 01:08:27,659
- Think about that.
He's President
1361
01:08:27,659 --> 01:08:31,497
and leading an army potentially
against other Americans.
1362
01:08:31,497 --> 01:08:33,165
That's a quirky moment, right?
1363
01:08:33,165 --> 01:08:35,709
We haven't, since then,
had a President
1364
01:08:35,709 --> 01:08:38,670
in uniform leading an army
in that way.
1365
01:08:38,670 --> 01:08:40,881
- Rules matter.
Law matters.
1366
01:08:40,881 --> 01:08:43,467
You're bound together
by a notion of law.
1367
01:08:43,467 --> 01:08:45,219
That was very important
to him.
1368
01:08:45,219 --> 01:08:48,347
- But Washington
wants to show
1369
01:08:48,347 --> 01:08:50,891
that the federal government
is willing to use force.
1370
01:08:50,891 --> 01:08:52,351
He doesn't want to use force.
1371
01:08:52,351 --> 01:08:55,521
He wants to provide a way
for the rebels
1372
01:08:55,521 --> 01:08:57,481
to sort of back out.
1373
01:09:04,530 --> 01:09:06,657
- Alarmed bythe number of troops
1374
01:09:06,657 --> 01:09:08,242
mustering against them,
1375
01:09:08,242 --> 01:09:10,285
the rebels send their spokesman
1376
01:09:10,285 --> 01:09:12,871
to meet face to facewith the President.
1377
01:09:12,871 --> 01:09:16,709
???
1378
01:09:20,796 --> 01:09:23,882
- I believe the army
camped outside this door
1379
01:09:23,882 --> 01:09:26,552
cannot be misunderstood.
1380
01:09:26,552 --> 01:09:28,804
But in case there is
any confusion,
1381
01:09:28,804 --> 01:09:31,598
let me make this clear.
1382
01:09:31,598 --> 01:09:33,434
Rebellion...
1383
01:09:33,434 --> 01:09:36,478
will not be tolerated
1384
01:09:36,478 --> 01:09:40,774
by myself or this nation.
1385
01:09:40,774 --> 01:09:43,402
Now, I understand
1386
01:09:43,402 --> 01:09:47,573
and sympathize
with your position.
1387
01:09:47,573 --> 01:09:51,076
These people are your family,
1388
01:09:51,076 --> 01:09:53,245
your friends, neighbors.
1389
01:09:53,245 --> 01:09:56,248
Your concerns are valid.
1390
01:09:56,248 --> 01:10:00,252
I believe, together,
1391
01:10:00,252 --> 01:10:04,047
we can work towards a solution
that benefits us all...
1392
01:10:07,092 --> 01:10:15,017
after you offer your complete
and unequivocal submission.
1393
01:10:22,858 --> 01:10:23,942
You may go now.
1394
01:10:41,960 --> 01:10:43,045
- What now?
1395
01:10:44,463 --> 01:10:46,799
- I will return to Philadelphia.
1396
01:10:46,799 --> 01:10:48,300
You remain in command here.
1397
01:10:48,300 --> 01:10:49,635
March the militia west
1398
01:10:49,635 --> 01:10:52,387
and end this uprising for good.
1399
01:10:52,387 --> 01:10:54,056
- It would be my pleasure.
1400
01:10:56,975 --> 01:10:59,978
- I do not want anyone killed.
1401
01:10:59,978 --> 01:11:02,314
If necessary, make arrests.
1402
01:11:02,314 --> 01:11:04,399
- Arrests?
- This...
1403
01:11:04,399 --> 01:11:07,361
is a matter for the courts.
1404
01:11:09,321 --> 01:11:12,866
And we are not executioners.
1405
01:11:14,493 --> 01:11:16,703
- Of course, sir.
1406
01:11:21,917 --> 01:11:24,169
-It doesn't come
to the kind of blows
1407
01:11:24,169 --> 01:11:27,673
that it might have come to.
And in large part,
1408
01:11:27,673 --> 01:11:29,424
this was precisely
1409
01:11:29,424 --> 01:11:32,135
because Washington
understood the moment.
1410
01:11:32,135 --> 01:11:34,972
He's not really treating them
as enemies.
1411
01:11:34,972 --> 01:11:36,181
He didn't--
He doesn't chase them down.
1412
01:11:36,181 --> 01:11:37,349
He doesn't try to destroy them.
1413
01:11:37,349 --> 01:11:39,268
He simply disperses them.
1414
01:11:44,690 --> 01:11:47,025
- If Washington
wasn't Washington,
1415
01:11:47,025 --> 01:11:49,194
I'm almost certain
that some--
1416
01:11:49,194 --> 01:11:51,363
that the republic
would have fallen apart
1417
01:11:51,363 --> 01:11:53,699
in the 1790s,
in its early years,
1418
01:11:53,699 --> 01:11:55,868
as almost all republics do.
1419
01:11:55,868 --> 01:11:58,161
- Washington's foresight
1420
01:11:58,161 --> 01:12:02,332
was to understand the power
of a national government.
1421
01:12:02,332 --> 01:12:05,210
You have an allegiance
to an idea
1422
01:12:05,210 --> 01:12:07,713
that's put forth under
the federal constitution
1423
01:12:07,713 --> 01:12:09,172
which makes the country.
1424
01:12:09,172 --> 01:12:12,175
- Washington's whole point
was that they had
1425
01:12:12,175 --> 01:12:14,720
a special responsibility
to validate the idea
1426
01:12:14,720 --> 01:12:16,388
of self-government.
1427
01:12:16,388 --> 01:12:19,224
That it was our
responsibility collectively.
1428
01:12:19,224 --> 01:12:22,019
It's one of the reasons
Washington adopted the mantle
1429
01:12:22,019 --> 01:12:24,438
of presidency
against his personal wishes.
1430
01:12:24,438 --> 01:12:26,064
It's why he stayed on
for a second term
1431
01:12:26,064 --> 01:12:27,858
when he really wanted
to go back to the farm.
1432
01:12:29,359 --> 01:12:32,321
- After nearly eight yearsin office,
1433
01:12:32,321 --> 01:12:35,741
and with the country'spartisan divide deepening,
1434
01:12:35,741 --> 01:12:39,953
George Washington declinesto stand for a third term.
1435
01:12:39,953 --> 01:12:41,914
- Many people who started
with him in the Cabinet
1436
01:12:41,914 --> 01:12:43,582
are now in opposition.
1437
01:12:43,582 --> 01:12:47,794
He's seen his friends disappear
and finds himself alone.
1438
01:12:47,794 --> 01:12:52,841
He wants to go home and get away
from the vipers in politics.
1439
01:12:52,841 --> 01:12:56,053
- When he eventually retires,
Thomas Paine writes,
1440
01:12:56,053 --> 01:12:57,930
"We're pleased
to see you go,"
1441
01:12:57,930 --> 01:12:59,431
and asked the question
1442
01:12:59,431 --> 01:13:01,266
"whether you have simply
lost all your integrity
1443
01:13:01,266 --> 01:13:03,644
or whether you ever had any."
1444
01:13:03,644 --> 01:13:04,853
This is George Washington.
1445
01:13:06,939 --> 01:13:08,774
Think about that.
That's what they're saying.
1446
01:13:09,942 --> 01:13:12,444
- But outsidethe political elite,
1447
01:13:12,444 --> 01:13:13,987
among the public,
1448
01:13:13,987 --> 01:13:15,948
Washington is revered
1449
01:13:15,948 --> 01:13:17,824
as the father of his country,
1450
01:13:17,824 --> 01:13:21,453
the man who deliveredthe nation its freedom.
1451
01:13:21,453 --> 01:13:24,039
- He could have served
for three terms, four terms,
1452
01:13:24,039 --> 01:13:26,291
five terms.
As long as he was alive,
1453
01:13:26,291 --> 01:13:28,543
he would have been
President of the United States
1454
01:13:28,543 --> 01:13:29,836
because of his reputation
1455
01:13:29,836 --> 01:13:31,672
as a man
who could be trusted,
1456
01:13:31,672 --> 01:13:34,633
as a man who put country
ahead of himself.
1457
01:13:34,633 --> 01:13:36,051
People at the time
understood
1458
01:13:36,051 --> 01:13:38,345
that the main threat
to a republic
1459
01:13:38,345 --> 01:13:42,224
was a demagogue who would
seek power for himself,
1460
01:13:42,224 --> 01:13:44,142
and Washington wasn't
that person.
1461
01:13:44,142 --> 01:13:49,189
- Washington himself believed
there cannot be a monarch.
1462
01:13:49,189 --> 01:13:52,651
There cannot be
a person who lives on
1463
01:13:52,651 --> 01:13:54,194
and just dies in office.
1464
01:13:54,194 --> 01:13:56,363
- It's hard to overstate
how that
1465
01:13:56,363 --> 01:13:58,824
and the peaceful transfer
of power is revolutionary,
1466
01:13:58,824 --> 01:14:00,575
almost as revolutionary
as the war itself.
1467
01:14:00,575 --> 01:14:03,829
- For nearly 150 years
after that,
1468
01:14:03,829 --> 01:14:06,164
every subsequent President,
even in the absence
1469
01:14:06,164 --> 01:14:07,666
of a constitutional amendment
to that effect,
1470
01:14:07,666 --> 01:14:11,044
had to step down,
because they all faced
1471
01:14:11,044 --> 01:14:12,671
the challenging question
1472
01:14:12,671 --> 01:14:14,548
"So you think you're better
than Washington?"
1473
01:14:14,548 --> 01:14:17,342
And no one was willing to answer
that in the affirmative.
1474
01:14:17,342 --> 01:14:21,346
- George Washington's presidencyends on the afternoon
1475
01:14:21,346 --> 01:14:25,851
of March 4th, 1797,when his successor
1476
01:14:25,851 --> 01:14:29,187
John Adams is sworn in.
1477
01:14:29,187 --> 01:14:32,274
???
1478
01:14:34,359 --> 01:14:37,696
- In that retirement,which is his voluntary choice,
1479
01:14:37,696 --> 01:14:41,033
that he long lived to enjoythe delicious recollection
1480
01:14:41,033 --> 01:14:43,035
of his services.
1481
01:14:43,035 --> 01:14:44,745
- In his inaugural address,
1482
01:14:44,745 --> 01:14:48,123
John Adams, neverWashington's biggest fan,
1483
01:14:48,123 --> 01:14:51,376
sends him offwith a soaring tribute.
1484
01:14:51,376 --> 01:14:53,128
- His namemay be still a rampart
1485
01:14:53,128 --> 01:14:55,547
and the knowledgethat he leaves a bulwark
1486
01:14:55,547 --> 01:14:58,258
against all openand secret enemies
1487
01:14:58,258 --> 01:14:59,926
of his country's peace.
1488
01:14:59,926 --> 01:15:00,927
- Stop here.
1489
01:15:05,891 --> 01:15:07,225
I thought it would be nice
1490
01:15:07,225 --> 01:15:10,103
to walk the rest of the way.
1491
01:15:10,103 --> 01:15:12,606
- That sounds lovely.
1492
01:15:12,606 --> 01:15:14,441
- Washington was so excited
to go home.
1493
01:15:14,441 --> 01:15:16,401
He was so excited
to be on his plantation.
1494
01:15:16,401 --> 01:15:19,404
He was going to complete
the renovations to his house.
1495
01:15:19,404 --> 01:15:22,240
Finally, he was gonna be
able to do the experiments
1496
01:15:22,240 --> 01:15:23,909
he wanted to do in the garden.
1497
01:15:23,909 --> 01:15:27,037
???
1498
01:15:37,130 --> 01:15:40,634
- Lovely, isn't it?
1499
01:15:40,634 --> 01:15:41,927
- Beautiful.
1500
01:15:41,927 --> 01:15:44,971
???
1501
01:15:47,265 --> 01:15:50,936
- Washington has heldmany titles in his long life,
1502
01:15:50,936 --> 01:15:55,607
General, Commander,and President.
1503
01:15:55,607 --> 01:15:58,610
Now, in onehistory-making moment,
1504
01:15:58,610 --> 01:16:02,280
he becomes simply citizen.
1505
01:16:02,280 --> 01:16:03,949
???
1506
01:16:13,166 --> 01:16:16,633
- [breathes heavily]
1507
01:16:16,633 --> 01:16:19,761
- After two decadesof public service,
1508
01:16:19,761 --> 01:16:22,764
George Washington'slong-awaited return
1509
01:16:22,764 --> 01:16:26,559
to private lifeis being cut short.
1510
01:16:26,559 --> 01:16:29,521
-He ends up getting two
and a half years of retirement
1511
01:16:29,521 --> 01:16:31,606
in Mount Vernon.
1512
01:16:31,606 --> 01:16:34,651
He deserves more than that,
and he wanted more than that.
1513
01:16:34,651 --> 01:16:36,528
- That is it.
1514
01:16:36,528 --> 01:16:38,112
I am sending for the doctor.
1515
01:16:38,112 --> 01:16:41,699
- [breathes heavily]
1516
01:16:41,699 --> 01:16:45,745
- Washington catches
what is a throat disease.
1517
01:16:45,745 --> 01:16:47,497
Now he would be cured
with antibiotics
1518
01:16:47,497 --> 01:16:48,998
in a matter of hours.
1519
01:16:48,998 --> 01:16:52,043
- [breathes heavily]
- Stay with me, old man.
1520
01:16:53,795 --> 01:16:56,422
- Martha.
[breathes heavily]
1521
01:16:56,422 --> 01:17:00,301
- Washington believes
in bloodletting.
1522
01:17:00,301 --> 01:17:03,179
It's considered modern medicine
at the time.
1523
01:17:03,179 --> 01:17:06,891
It's literally cutting someone
and bleeding them.
1524
01:17:08,518 --> 01:17:12,981
What we would consider
nowadays a release of toxins.
1525
01:17:12,981 --> 01:17:16,943
He's bled over and over again
at his own request.
1526
01:17:16,943 --> 01:17:21,239
- More. [wheezing]
1527
01:17:21,239 --> 01:17:23,533
- I mean,
it's prolonged torture,
1528
01:17:23,533 --> 01:17:25,410
and he's not improving.
1529
01:17:27,870 --> 01:17:31,791
- [breathes heavily]
1530
01:17:31,791 --> 01:17:35,086
My breath cannot last long.
1531
01:17:37,088 --> 01:17:39,716
- And eventually he says,
1532
01:17:39,716 --> 01:17:42,010
"Stop. I'm just going."
1533
01:17:42,010 --> 01:17:45,096
- [breathes heavily]
1534
01:17:50,852 --> 01:17:54,105
Wait...three days...
1535
01:17:55,857 --> 01:17:59,277
to put my body
1536
01:17:59,277 --> 01:18:00,862
in the vault.
1537
01:18:00,862 --> 01:18:03,823
[wheezing]
1538
01:18:06,075 --> 01:18:09,787
-He says, "Wait three days
to bury me."
1539
01:18:11,122 --> 01:18:13,875
He wants them to be sure
that he's actually dead.
1540
01:18:13,875 --> 01:18:17,920
It's such an interesting
concern and worry.
1541
01:18:17,920 --> 01:18:19,839
- [breathes heavily]
1542
01:18:19,839 --> 01:18:23,593
- It maybe speaks
to his need for control.
1543
01:18:23,593 --> 01:18:26,512
- [wheezing]
1544
01:18:45,865 --> 01:18:49,118
???
1545
01:18:51,245 --> 01:18:53,873
- George Washington'sepic life ends
1546
01:18:53,873 --> 01:18:56,376
sometime between 10:00and 11:00
1547
01:18:56,376 --> 01:19:00,463
on the nightof December 14th, 1799.
1548
01:19:00,463 --> 01:19:03,007
He was 67 years old.
1549
01:19:04,759 --> 01:19:06,719
- When he died,
it was really clear
1550
01:19:06,719 --> 01:19:09,889
that an age of American history
had ended.
1551
01:19:09,889 --> 01:19:14,268
- Given Washington's symbolic
as well as political importance
1552
01:19:14,268 --> 01:19:15,812
in the founding of the nation,
1553
01:19:15,812 --> 01:19:18,564
his death
had an enormous impact.
1554
01:19:18,564 --> 01:19:20,316
There was a huge response.
1555
01:19:20,316 --> 01:19:22,610
Enormous funeral processions
and ceremonies
1556
01:19:22,610 --> 01:19:23,986
held throughout the nation.
1557
01:19:23,986 --> 01:19:25,321
People understood
1558
01:19:25,321 --> 01:19:29,033
that this was the passing
of a moment.
1559
01:19:29,033 --> 01:19:32,829
-When Washington is buried,
it's at home.
1560
01:19:32,829 --> 01:19:34,580
He wants to be
at Mount Vernon,
1561
01:19:34,580 --> 01:19:36,791
as he always did.
1562
01:19:36,791 --> 01:19:38,251
There are many in attendance,
1563
01:19:38,251 --> 01:19:40,128
with one notable exception--
1564
01:19:40,128 --> 01:19:41,379
Martha Washington.
1565
01:19:43,005 --> 01:19:44,590
She stays in the house.
1566
01:19:46,008 --> 01:19:48,344
Whatever existed
between the two of them,
1567
01:19:48,344 --> 01:19:49,887
their relationship,
1568
01:19:49,887 --> 01:19:52,056
her sadness over his death,
1569
01:19:52,056 --> 01:19:53,057
we don't know...
1570
01:19:54,684 --> 01:19:56,602
because she didn't want us to.
1571
01:19:58,312 --> 01:20:01,357
- At some point afterher husband's death,
1572
01:20:01,357 --> 01:20:04,694
Martha Washington destroysnearly all of the letters
1573
01:20:04,694 --> 01:20:06,487
they'd written to each other
1574
01:20:06,487 --> 01:20:08,740
over their 40 yearsof marriage.
1575
01:20:10,742 --> 01:20:13,745
-There's not very many letters
that exist between them.
1576
01:20:13,745 --> 01:20:15,788
One of them in particular,
1577
01:20:15,788 --> 01:20:17,957
we know
is the "My Dearest" letter.
1578
01:20:17,957 --> 01:20:19,917
It was discovered
in a writing desk
1579
01:20:19,917 --> 01:20:22,044
that had been owned
by Martha Washington,
1580
01:20:22,044 --> 01:20:24,422
kind of behind
one of the drawers
1581
01:20:24,422 --> 01:20:27,592
by one of Martha's
descendants in the 1840s.
1582
01:20:28,760 --> 01:20:30,636
- My dearest,
1583
01:20:30,636 --> 01:20:33,765
as I am within a few minutesof leaving this city,
1584
01:20:33,765 --> 01:20:36,184
I could not thinkof departing from it
1585
01:20:36,184 --> 01:20:38,519
without dropping you a line.
1586
01:20:38,519 --> 01:20:41,647
I retain an unalterableaffection for you,
1587
01:20:41,647 --> 01:20:45,109
which neither timeor distance can change.
1588
01:20:45,109 --> 01:20:48,529
With the utmost truthand sincerity,
1589
01:20:48,529 --> 01:20:52,784
your entire,George Washington.
1590
01:20:55,036 --> 01:20:57,705
-Martha lives out
the rest of her days
1591
01:20:57,705 --> 01:20:59,791
quite quietly.
1592
01:20:59,791 --> 01:21:03,085
She passes from old age
1593
01:21:03,085 --> 01:21:04,921
quite peacefully at home
1594
01:21:04,921 --> 01:21:08,216
and is interned
next to Washington.
1595
01:21:08,216 --> 01:21:11,302
???
1596
01:21:13,429 --> 01:21:16,682
- In Washington's
last will and testament,
1597
01:21:16,682 --> 01:21:19,060
he stipulates
that the enslaved people
1598
01:21:19,060 --> 01:21:21,437
will be granted their freedom
when Martha dies,
1599
01:21:21,437 --> 01:21:23,940
except for William Lee,
who he gives--
1600
01:21:23,940 --> 01:21:25,525
grants his freedom
right away.
1601
01:21:26,776 --> 01:21:30,571
- Lee, who served byWashington's side in the war,
1602
01:21:30,571 --> 01:21:33,199
suffered injuriesin two separate accidents
1603
01:21:33,199 --> 01:21:35,701
before Washington'spresidency,
1604
01:21:35,701 --> 01:21:38,538
making him physicallyunable to continue
1605
01:21:38,538 --> 01:21:40,915
servingas Washington's valet.
1606
01:21:40,915 --> 01:21:45,086
He spends the restof his life at Mount Vernon.
1607
01:21:45,086 --> 01:21:48,798
- Lee was given the option
of immediate emancipation
1608
01:21:48,798 --> 01:21:51,259
and an annuity of $30 a year.
1609
01:21:51,259 --> 01:21:54,512
He was to be taken care of.
1610
01:21:54,512 --> 01:21:58,599
So it's a moment where we see
Washington's thoughts,
1611
01:21:58,599 --> 01:22:01,936
his changing feelings
and sentiments
1612
01:22:01,936 --> 01:22:04,981
about slavery revealed.
1613
01:22:06,983 --> 01:22:09,944
- Now, you can say
he doesn't free him
1614
01:22:09,944 --> 01:22:12,613
in his own life,
but he's the only member
1615
01:22:12,613 --> 01:22:14,407
of the Virginia dynasty
to do this.
1616
01:22:14,407 --> 01:22:15,950
Jefferson doesn't do it.
1617
01:22:15,950 --> 01:22:17,910
Madison doesn't do it.
Monroe doesn't do it.
1618
01:22:17,910 --> 01:22:19,203
Patrick Henry doesn't do it.
1619
01:22:20,746 --> 01:22:25,543
-And we have to recognize it
as significant
1620
01:22:25,543 --> 01:22:27,712
as the first President
of the United States,
1621
01:22:27,712 --> 01:22:28,880
as a founder,
1622
01:22:28,880 --> 01:22:30,631
that his decision
1623
01:22:30,631 --> 01:22:33,467
to emancipate his slaves
meant something.
1624
01:22:33,467 --> 01:22:35,553
And it also signaled
1625
01:22:35,553 --> 01:22:39,515
that slavery eventually
1626
01:22:39,515 --> 01:22:41,142
would come to an end.
1627
01:22:41,142 --> 01:22:44,729
- He knew even at the time
that his mark on history
1628
01:22:44,729 --> 01:22:46,772
would be a large footprint.
1629
01:22:46,772 --> 01:22:49,108
And I think
he was thinking ahead
1630
01:22:49,108 --> 01:22:51,736
in ways that we don't
necessarily think about today.
1631
01:22:53,571 --> 01:22:56,365
- George Washington
had a remarkable sense
1632
01:22:56,365 --> 01:22:58,075
that he was performing
1633
01:22:58,075 --> 01:22:59,952
not only to lead people
in his own time
1634
01:22:59,952 --> 01:23:01,704
but for all time.
1635
01:23:03,122 --> 01:23:07,543
- 15 miles north of Washington'sfinal resting place
1636
01:23:07,543 --> 01:23:11,422
sits the capital citythat now bears his name.
1637
01:23:11,422 --> 01:23:13,007
It's the beating heart
1638
01:23:13,007 --> 01:23:15,885
of George Washington'sreal legacy--
1639
01:23:15,885 --> 01:23:18,012
the governmenthe fought to create
1640
01:23:18,012 --> 01:23:20,389
and then passto future generations
1641
01:23:20,389 --> 01:23:25,019
along with some adviceon how to keep it alive.
1642
01:23:25,019 --> 01:23:27,188
- Friends and fellow citizens,
1643
01:23:27,188 --> 01:23:28,856
the unity of government
1644
01:23:28,856 --> 01:23:31,901
which constitutes youone people
1645
01:23:31,901 --> 01:23:36,364
is also a main pillarof your real independence.
1646
01:23:36,364 --> 01:23:38,324
- Washington's
farewell address
1647
01:23:38,324 --> 01:23:40,868
is a political
last will and testament.
1648
01:23:40,868 --> 01:23:43,496
This is the sum total
of his hard-won wisdom
1649
01:23:43,496 --> 01:23:45,915
explicitly written for you.
1650
01:23:45,915 --> 01:23:49,627
- Let me warn you againstthe baneful effects
1651
01:23:49,627 --> 01:23:51,545
of the spirit of party.
1652
01:23:51,545 --> 01:23:53,130
- And if you keep
these principles in mind,
1653
01:23:53,130 --> 01:23:55,132
you'll be fine.
If you don't,
1654
01:23:55,132 --> 01:23:56,884
there can be
real trouble ahead.
1655
01:23:56,884 --> 01:23:58,427
- It opens the door
1656
01:23:58,427 --> 01:24:00,137
to foreign influenceand corruption.
1657
01:24:00,137 --> 01:24:02,014
- He laid out the warnings
1658
01:24:02,014 --> 01:24:04,934
about how we have to protect
this system we have created.
1659
01:24:04,934 --> 01:24:08,020
- Cunning, ambitious,and unprincipled men
1660
01:24:08,020 --> 01:24:11,899
will be unable to subvertthe power of the people.
1661
01:24:11,899 --> 01:24:14,110
- He understood
that this was still
1662
01:24:14,110 --> 01:24:16,445
a very fragile experiment,
1663
01:24:16,445 --> 01:24:19,907
and he had no idea
this is gonna last 200 years.
1664
01:24:19,907 --> 01:24:23,035
- Citizens by birth or choice,
1665
01:24:23,035 --> 01:24:27,164
the name of Americanwhich belongs to you
1666
01:24:27,164 --> 01:24:32,712
must always exaltthe just pride of patriotism.
1667
01:24:32,712 --> 01:24:36,048
- Ever since George Washington,
people looking at us
1668
01:24:36,048 --> 01:24:38,217
and have been betting
against America.
1669
01:24:38,217 --> 01:24:40,177
So far,
they've all lost money.
1670
01:24:40,177 --> 01:24:44,056
- I shall carry itwith me to my grave
1671
01:24:44,056 --> 01:24:46,434
that the free Constitution,
1672
01:24:46,434 --> 01:24:49,478
which is the workof your hands,
1673
01:24:49,478 --> 01:24:53,816
may be sacredly maintained.
1674
01:24:55,735 --> 01:24:58,112
- There are very few
Washington-like figures
1675
01:24:58,112 --> 01:24:59,530
in American history--
1676
01:24:59,530 --> 01:25:01,991
people who--
they weren't perfect,
1677
01:25:01,991 --> 01:25:05,286
but you had a sense that,
when the crisis came,
1678
01:25:05,286 --> 01:25:07,413
when the winds were howling,
1679
01:25:07,413 --> 01:25:09,290
when the wolf was at the door,
1680
01:25:09,290 --> 01:25:11,250
you would want them in charge.
1681
01:25:11,250 --> 01:25:13,085
-Washington did a good job
1682
01:25:13,085 --> 01:25:14,879
in making our union
more perfect.
1683
01:25:14,879 --> 01:25:16,797
And I think
America has no idea
1684
01:25:16,797 --> 01:25:17,965
how indebted to him they are.
1685
01:25:17,965 --> 01:25:20,885
- Washington is the embodiment
1686
01:25:20,885 --> 01:25:23,429
of America's
self-evident truth.
1687
01:25:23,429 --> 01:25:26,515
He is the foundingest
father of them all.
1688
01:25:26,515 --> 01:25:28,392
Adams is his best read.
1689
01:25:28,392 --> 01:25:30,686
Jefferson is the most
intellectually sophisticated.
1690
01:25:30,686 --> 01:25:33,773
Benjamin Franklin is,
in some ways, the wisest.
1691
01:25:33,773 --> 01:25:35,983
Washington's the greatest.
1692
01:25:35,983 --> 01:25:37,860
No question about it.
1693
01:25:37,860 --> 01:25:39,820
Primus inter pares--
1694
01:25:39,820 --> 01:25:41,489
first among equals.
1695
01:25:41,489 --> 01:25:46,285
???
132282
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