American History Revealed

Roger Williams was one of the most brilliant, mysterious, complicated, and in the end admirable human beings in the history of our great nation. That having been said, he was a walking, talking bundle of contradictions - a fanatic who ultimately became one of our great humanitarians, a devout Christian who in time opened his mind and heart to other ethnicities and faiths, a man who was instrumental in creating a world - one of modest size, to be sure - the guiding principles of which were, very simply, decency and civility. In his life he set a standard which has inspired thoughtful, decent Americans ever since.

The Winthrop fleet sails from England with high hopes, but a prolonged voyage, poor diet, crowded conditions, disease, and a miserable winter after its arrival in Massachusetts, end in bitter disappointment and tragedy.

After years of religious persecution, a group of English Puritans decides that life in the country of their birth has become unbearable. Lawyer John Winthrop becomes not only the nominal leader of the group but one of its spiritual leaders, and members of the group plan their departure for the New World

In this episode, we talk about the earliest English settlements in our country - Roanoke, Jamestown and Plymouth - and how the fascinating histories of all three contributed to what you might call the epic story of the creation of our country. We also touch on the fact that in the end none of those places ever developed into a vibrant political, commercial, and cultural center.

During the voyage of the Mayflower to America a crack in one of the ship's beams almost produces a catastrophe. Having landed on Cape Cod, the passengers encounter Native Americans for the first time. After much searching the settlers discover the site of their proposed settlement, to which they give the name "Plymouth."

The members of the Scrooby congregation in England - the original “Pilgrims” - plan to flee the country because of religious persecution. They attempt to leave England illegally, but are foiled on two occasions. At last, they reach Holland, a place of refuge, where they will remain for 13 years, before sailing on the Mayflower for America.

After the departure of Cap. John Smith, the "starving time" begins. Surrounded by hostile tribesmen, the settlers are compelled eat their dogs, cats, and rats. At last, driven to extremity, they resort to cannibalism. By the end of winter, 1610, only 60 settlers (out of 214) remain alive.

This episode tells the story of the founding of Jamestown Colony - the conflict with the Native Americans, the struggle of the colonists to survive, and John Smith’s adventure with the Indian princess Pocahontas (which may or may not have occurred) - all of which set the stage for disaster to come.

The second attempt to establish a colony at Roanoke, how within months after the arrival of the settlers poor planning made it necessary to dispatch a relief ship to England for supplies. Although the supply ship was supposed to return the following spring, the Spanish Armada and England’s war with Spain delayed its return for three years, by which time the Roanoke settlers had vanished without a trace.

The premier episode of American History Revealed deals with the first attempt to create an English settlement in what one day would become the United States of America. Shipwreck and conflict with the local Native American tribes doomed the endeavor almost from the start. Eventually, nearly all the settlers opted to return to England, and the first effort to create an English colony in North America failed.