Lawyer John Adams represents the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre in 1770; colonists protest the Tea Act of 1773; the American Revolution begins in April 1775 at the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

When the oppressive hand of British rule begins to trample on colonial liberty, a secret group of rebels put their lives on the line to stand up to the crown. The “Sons of Liberty” get their start as smugglers who refuse to pay repressive taxes, but they soon evolve into an underground political force - fighting for American independence. Masterminds Paul Revere and Sam Adams lead the insurgent movement as their treasonous plans - punishable by death – secretly spread throughout the colonies. The simmering tensions erupt into chaos when a British customs agent murders an 11 year-old boy, triggering three days of riots and the infamous Boston Massacre. The American Revolution has begun.

A profile of Billy the Kid, a New York City native who became an outlaw in the Old West in the 1870s.

Thomas Jefferson becomes the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, which is used as a rallying cry by George Washington for his troops, during a desperate 1776 campaign to keep New York from falling into British hands.

A profile of Bass Reeves (1838-1910), a former slave who became a deputy U.S. marshal and is thought to be the inspiration for the Lone Ranger.

America is a sovereign nation after the Revolution but is beset by squabbling factions and financial debt. George Washington comes out of retirement and is elected president, and works to guarantee the rights for which he and his comrades fought so hard.

George Washington leads his men across the icy Delaware River into a bloody, barefoot march to Trenton and the brutal Hessian fighters who await them.

A profile of Francis Marion, a South Carolina militia officer, known for his guerrilla tactics that frustrated and tormented the occupying British army.

Benedict Arnold goes from a respected Continental Army general to America's most notorious traitor thanks to his plot to surrender West Point to the British and switch sides.

A profile of Benjamin Franklin includes his frequent trips to Europe; influence in the Second Continental Congress; and role in the American Revolution.

The season finale chronicles the dawn of the 19th century under two-term President Thomas Jefferson and the duel between his vice president, Aaron Burr, and one of his chief rivals, Alexander Hamilton, in 1804.

Spotlighting radical abolitionist John Brown, as he raids Harper's Ferry, setting the scene for the Civil War.

George Washington's exploits as commander of the Continental Army, including his first victory in Boston and subsequent defeat in New York, are examined.

Abraham Lincoln becomes frustrated with his cautious commander, George McClellan, whose army gets routed at Manassas, Va.; Confederate Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson earns his nickname.

Robert E. Lee, who once turned down command of Northern forces, becomes the top Confederate general; Ulysses S. Grant scores Union victories in the West.

Former slave Frederick Douglass pushes President Abraham Lincoln to free his people; Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, after the bloody Battle of Antietam.

A Confederate victory at Chancellorsville, Va. comes at a high price; a Southern bullet accidentally mortally wounds Stonewall Jackson.

The North turns back the South's invasion; a heroic bayonet charge led by Maine's Joshua Chamberlain; the doomed Confederate charge led by Gen. George Pickett.

Once drummed out of the army for drinking, Ulysses S. Grant earns his place as the North's best general; the Union's first black regiment marches into battle;

A U.S. senator, war hero, and presidential aspirant who has much in common with Abraham Lincoln; Jefferson Davis answers the call to lead the Confederate States of America;