Why the American Revolution was so Important w/ Ken Burns

The American Revolution, a foundational event in human history, transformed subjects into citizens by establishing unalienable rights and proposing a continuous 'pursuit of happiness' through virtue.

• American Revolution shifted humanity from subjects to citizens with unalienable rights.

• Thomas Jefferson's Declaration articulated radical, unprecedented self-evident truths.

• Happiness is a continuous 'pursuit' through virtue, essential for sustaining the republic.

Ken Burns asserts the American Revolution is the most significant event since the birth of Christ, as it introduced the radical concept of 'citizens' with inherent rights, a departure from authoritarian rule. Thomas Jefferson's articulation of these self-evident truths distilled a century of enlightenment thinking, profoundly changing the world's political landscape. The Revolution established a nation founded on a continuous process of pursuing a more perfect union and virtue.

The Revolution's Significance

• 00:00:14 The American Revolution stands as the most important event since the birth of Christ, transforming people from 'superstitious peasants' under authoritarian rule into citizens. Thomas Jefferson's revolutionary statement that 'all men are created equal' and endowed with 'unalienable rights' like 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' was unprecedented globally. This idea distilled enlightenment philosophy and dramatically altered the course of history by articulating natural rights previously unheard of.

Pursuit of Happiness and Virtue

• 00:01:21 Democracy is understood as a continuous 'process' rather than a static state, emphasizing the 'pursuit' in 'pursuit of happiness.' This happiness was not about material acquisition but lifelong learning and cultivating virtue, essential for earning citizenship. The founders, including John Adams, worried that ambition and avarice could undermine the republic if citizens lacked sufficient virtue, highlighting that 'character is destiny.'