I watched the first installment of THE WAR THAT MADE AMERICA and thought
that its most useful teaching element was the way it brought Native
American agendas to the forefront -- giving a much fuller (and more
complex) view to what is usually found in the textbook accounts.  The
Natives were not simply trying to choose sides between the two European
powers, but looking also to seize opportunities to advance thier own
positions.

As for Washington's central place in the first hour, I expect that
because the over-all narrative leads us to the creation of "America,"
focusing on Washington's viewpoint is particularly salient to that line
of argument.  The War was transformative for a Washington who once
dreamed of being an English regular officer but ended up highly critical
of the English -- laying the foundation for his eventual turn towards
American independence.  Similarly in the second hour, the experience of
New Englanders in the war pointed in this direction.

David Kiracofe





David Kiracofe
History
Tidewater Community College
Chesapeake Campus
1428 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, Virginia 23322

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