History That Doesn't Suck 192: A Conversation with Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein: The American Revolution and WWII
Nov 10, 2025
Join renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, known for his influential historical series, and his collaborator Sarah Botstein as they dive into their latest work on the American Revolution. Ken argues its significance as a pivotal moment in history. They discuss conflicts between loyalists and patriots, the use of animation and CGI to depict battles, and their meticulous research process. Shifting gears, they also reflect on World War II, emphasizing the importance of personal stories and the fragility of democracy during tumultuous times.
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Revolution As Birth Of Citizenship
- Ken Burns argues the American Revolution created citizens instead of subjects and was a global, bloody conflict rather than a short philosophical event.
- He sees July 4, 1776 as a genuinely novel moment that reshaped political life and required complex nation-building.
Revolution Was A Civil War Too
- Burns highlights the revolution's civil-war character with large loyalist populations and community divisions across the colonies.
- The filmmakers intentionally portray loyalists without moralizing and follow their choices and migrations.
A Global, Plural Conflict
- The Revolution was international: Native nations, free and enslaved Black people, and European powers shaped the conflict.
- Burns frames it as civil war, revolution, and a global struggle for control of North America.
