Dramatic narration and authentically recreated scenes, enhanced with an original score, this documentary film chronicles the settlement of the American Colonies, the formation of colonial governments, and the tension that resulted from the economic strain on Great Britain for its prosecution of the Seven Years War with France.

The film illustrates how Great Britain’s attempt to make the American colonies pay for its debts from the Seven Years’ War, among other issues, brought about the colonies’ revolt.

A vast array of original documents and period portraits by artist John Singleton Copley of such notable individuals as Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, Mercy Otis Warren, Dr. Joseph Warren, John Hancock, General Thomas Gage, James Otis, John Adams, among many others, appear on the screen in magnificent color. A large number of recreated scenes of such events as the British troops marching to Lexington and their formation of ranks on the Village green in front of the local militia are seen in this film along with with the shot being fired and the British troops opening fire, killing and wounding several militiamen, acts that brought about the American Revolution.