Crash Course: World History — Season 1, Episode 28: Tea, Taxes, and The American Revolution: Crash Course World History #28

Episode synopsis

John Green teaches you about the American Revolution and the American Revolutionary War, which it turns out were two different things. John goes over the issues and events that precipitated rebellion in Britain's American colonies, and he also explores the ideas that laid the groundwork for the new American democracy. Find out how the tax bill from the Seven Years' War fomented an uprising, how the Enlightenment influenced the Founding Fathers, and who were the winners and losers in this conflict. (hint: many of the people living in the Colonies ended up losers) The Revolution purportedly brought freedom and equality to the Thirteen Colonies, but they weren't equally distributed. Also, you'll learn about America's love affair with commemorative ceramics and what happens when rich white guys take the reins from rich white guys and put together a society of, by, and for rich white guys.

About Crash Course: World History

Crash Course World History is a video course hosted by John Green that teaches world history from growing the first crops in the First Agricultural Revolution to global textile production in the 2010s. Across the series, it builds skills in identifying and explaining historical developments, analyzing events in broader context, and tracing patterns and connections across time and place—aiming to help viewers become more informed citizens of the world. Season 1 follows the 2012 AP World History curriculum in a 42-episode chronological survey, while Season 2 continues in 30 episodes with a more thematic approach that focuses on systems and encourages viewers to question how “history” is written and what biases shape it.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1The Agricultural Revolution: Crash Course World History #1
• E2Indus Valley Civilization: Crash Course World History #2
• E3Mesopotamia: Crash Course World History #3
• E4Ancient Egypt: Crash Course World History #4
• E5The Persians & Greeks: Crash Course World History #5
• E6Buddha and Ashoka: Crash Course World History #6
• E72,000 Years of Chinese History! The Mandate of Heaven and Confucius: World History #7
• E8Alexander the Great: Crash Course World History #8
• E9The Silk Road and Ancient Trade: Crash Course World History #9
• E10The Roman Empire. Or Republic. Or...Which Was It?: Crash Course World History #10
• E11Christianity from Judaism to Constantine: Crash Course World History #11
• E12Fall of The Roman Empire...in the 15th Century: Crash Course World History #12