Revolutionary War Weapons (Full Documentary)
Explore key military technologies in the American colonies’ fight for freedom.
In 1775, a ragtag army of farmers and tradesmen went to war against the most powerful army in the world, ultimately winning American independence. What military technologies did the American colonies use in their fight for freedom, and how did they help propel them to one of history’s most unlikely victories? Archaeologists and historians uncover the real stories of innovation, skill, and strategy that determined the outcome of important battles. From the Brown Bess musket to the world’s first military submarine, get a closeup look at the powerful and sometimes ingenious weapons that helped the colonies win the war.
A note from NOVA PBS Official on the terminology for the flintlock mechanism: In the film scene that describes the Brown Bess musket’s firing mechanism (at 09:47), we use “hammer” to identify the piece of steel that the flint strikes in order to produce a spark. Some viewers have commented that this part of the mechanism is called the “frizzen.” Our research team worked closely with historians and antique munitions experts and confirmed that during the late 18th century, the terms used were different than in later periods, and this piece of metal was indeed referred to as the “steel” or the “hammer” during the American Revolution. In order to preserve historical accuracy, we opted to use “hammer.” Primary sources from the time use it in this way, as the term “frizzen” did not come into use until later. A helpful illustration of this can be found in A Plan of Discipline, Compiled for the Use of the Militia of the County of Norfolk from 1759. https://bit.ly/3GqBl5t
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
04:50 How Effective Was the Musket?
17:26 The Use of A Combat Submarine
28:58 Accuracy of the Long Rifle
33:59 Role of Indigenous Communities in the American Revolution
40:32 Cannons & The Battle of Yorktown
50:43 Conclusion
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