This clip explains the Declaration of Independence and why it was drafted. It also mentions key people involved in the drafting of the document, including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.

The Second Continental Congress votes to declare independence from Great Britain then refines the text of the Declaration of Independence. After the text is revised, the delegates sign the document and disseminate it to the colonists. George Washington reads the document to his local soldiers, and its words invigorate them to fight for independence.

Colonel Shaw commends Private Trip on his fighting yesterday. He offers to honor the Private by allowing him to bear the regimental colors. Private Trip indicates that he is not fighting for the Colonel and expresses concern that, even after the war, he and his people will not benefit if they win.

The group of women sing about the amazing American life and the opportunities that it offers, while the men take a pessimistic view on America.

In this scene, the native Powhatan fight the Jamestown settlers. In reality, the Anglo-Powhatan Wars were fought between these parties for a number of years. The clip also illustrates how the European settlers denigrated the Native Americans' beliefs.