Review - America The Story of US, Ep. 1 - Rebels

We Americans take ourselves for granted. As we strive to balance national pride in our accomplishments with a realistic appraisal of our problems, we tend to overlook what makes us unique to begin with and why so many others try to emulate and improve on our social, economic, and political systems, including those who once ruled us. In a country that constantly changing and creating historical moments, we also tend to teach only the key moments. The History Channel^TM's series America The Story of US strives to present both famous and obscure moments during a dozen eras of our existence.

The first episode, entitled "Rebels," accomplishes this objective. Using a fast-paced film technique, re-enactments and CGI, The Story of US is a compelling introduction to colonial history, which premieres Sunday, April 25, 9:00PM ET/PT on The History Channel^TM. An hour-long preview of the entire series debuts immediately following "Rebels" at 10:00PM ET/PT. America The Story of US will then air Sundays at 9:00PM ET/PT through Memorial Day.

We learn that John Rolfe, who married the legendary Indian princess, Pochohantas, came to Jamestown, to plant tobacco. Sounds simple, doesn't it? What we learn is that nearly all the residents of the fledgling settlement have died of starvation. One man has been executed for murdering his wife for the purpose of cannabalism. The place is hopeless.

But Rolfe risked his life to get hold of tobacco seeds, which the Spanish monopolized (the Spaniards guarded this precious commodity with a death sentence for anyone who sold the seeds). He had found his method of making a fortune providing the plant to an addicted England - if only he can get them planted. Rolfe is successful Within two years, Jamestown was, in the words of narrator Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, View from a Bridge), America's "first boomtown." Rolfe was, perhaps, America's first true entrepeneur.

We also learn that the first African Americans were not slaves, but contract workers just like Europeans and that ten percent of Boston's population in the mid-eighteenth century was African American.

A minor, but irritating mistake was calling the Pilgrims of Plymouth "Puritans." The nomenclature "Pilgrim" was created by the religious group while in exile. They were Separatists, who wished to totally break from the Church of England. Puritans were exactly that - a religious sect established to purify the existing church. Both, however, faced horrendous persecution in England, sometimes execution for their beliefs.

The series also employs famous faces to comment on the impact of the colonial era on modern America from their perspective, including Gen. Colin Powell and Donald Trump.

America: The Story of Us is documentary series implementing filmmkaing techniques that appeal to our modern visual and audio senses.

That The History Channel^TM is providing a free DVD for classrooms is significant for those looking for an appealing documentary for our younger citizens. This offer is open to every school in the United States. The school must be an accredited public, private or home school, grades K-12 and college. In order to receive your school's DVD, your school principal (grades K-12) or Dean of Students (college) should fill out the request form at History.com. HISTORY strictly limits each school to one request. DVD requests must be made prior to July 1, 2010. DVDs will be mailed around August 2010, and free shipping is included in this offer. See History Classroom to order.

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America the Story of US Contest
America the Story of US Trailer
America the Story of US Episode Guide

Related Sites
History's America the Story of US
History's America the Story of US Family Viewing Guide (PDF)
History's America the Story of US Activity Guide (PDF)