The American Future: A History American Fervour
Simon explores the ways in which faith has shaped American political life. His starting point is a remarkable fact about the coming election: for the first time in a generation it is the Democrats who claim to be the party of God. It is Barack Obama, not John McCain, who has been talking about his faith. In Britain we have always thought of American religion as a largely conservative force, yet Simon shows how throughout American history it has played a crucial role in the fight for freedom. Faith helped create America - it was the search for religious freedom that led thousands to make the dangerous journey to the colonies in the 1600s. After independence was won, that religious freedom was enshrined in the constitution; America was the first country in the world to do so. Simon also looks at the remarkable role the black church has played, first in the liberation of the slaves in the 1800s, and again in the civil rights movement of the 1960s; neither would have happened without its religious activists. It is this very church that has been the inspiration for Barack Obama, who traces the roots of his political inspiration to his faith.
Simon Schama travels through America to dig deep into the conflicts of its history as a way to understand the country's contemporary political situation.
Primary Title
- The American Future: A History
Episode Title
- American Fervour
Date Broadcast
- Monday 17 August 2009
Start Time
- 03 : 30
Finish Time
- 04 : 30
Duration
- 60:00
Episode
- 3
Channel
- Documentary Channel
Broadcaster
- Sky Network Television
Programme Description
- Simon Schama travels through America to dig deep into the conflicts of its history as a way to understand the country's contemporary political situation.
Episode Description
- Simon explores the ways in which faith has shaped American political life. His starting point is a remarkable fact about the coming election: for the first time in a generation it is the Democrats who claim to be the party of God. It is Barack Obama, not John McCain, who has been talking about his faith. In Britain we have always thought of American religion as a largely conservative force, yet Simon shows how throughout American history it has played a crucial role in the fight for freedom. Faith helped create America - it was the search for religious freedom that led thousands to make the dangerous journey to the colonies in the 1600s. After independence was won, that religious freedom was enshrined in the constitution; America was the first country in the world to do so. Simon also looks at the remarkable role the black church has played, first in the liberation of the slaves in the 1800s, and again in the civil rights movement of the 1960s; neither would have happened without its religious activists. It is this very church that has been the inspiration for Barack Obama, who traces the roots of his political inspiration to his faith.
Classification
- PGR
Owning Collection
- Chapman Archive
Broadcast Platform
- Television
Languages
- English
Live Broadcast
- No
Rights Statement
- Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Subjects
- United States--History--21st century
- United States--Politics and government--2001-2009
- Optimism--United States
- Documentary television programs
Genres
- Documentary
Hosts
- Simon Schama (Host)
Contributors
- Sam Hobkinson (Director)
- Ricardo Pollack (Director)
- Simon Schama (Writer)
Subjects
- United States--History--21st century
- United States--Politics and government--2001-2009
- Optimism--United States
- Documentary television programs