Battle of Wills

Britain and the American colonies are at war; two men step forward to defend their principles and countrymen. Enter the world of Generals Charles Cornwallis and George Washington as they offer their perspectives on key events of the American Revolution. Engaging films and historical narrative, shared from different viewpoints, will lead you on a journey of discovery about two warring countries and the people who fought for their ideals. More.

Image from Wikimedia Commons; Source: US Navy Naval History and Heritage Command: Photo #: NH 73927-KN URL; Licensing information: This file is a work of a sailor or employee of the U.S. Navy, taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain.

Depiction of the Second Battle of the Virginia Capes, V. Zveg, 1962, public domain

Image from Wikimedia Commons; Source: www.octc.kctcs.edu Licensing information: This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.

The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor, Nathaniel Currier, 1846, public domain

Image from Wikimedia Commons; Source: Photograph of original work. Licensing information: Permission is granted by the copyright holder to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

Siege of Yorktown. General Rochambeau and General Washington give last orders before an attack, October 1781, Louis-Charles-Auguste Couder, 1836, public domain

Image from Wikimedia Commons; Source: U.S. Capitol; Licensing information: This image is a work of an employee of the Architect of the Capitol en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architect_of_the_Capitol, taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, all images created or made by the Architect of the Capitol are in the public domain commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Public_domain, with the exception of classified information.

Declaration of Independence, John Trumbull, 1819, public domain

Image from Wikimedia Commons; Source: www.aoc.gov Licensing information: This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1923.

Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, John Trumbull, 1820/26, public domain

BATTLE OF PHILOSOPHIES

Though they never met in person to discuss their ideas, Generals Cornwallis and Washington were both men of principle, integrity and honor. Cornwallis was sympathetic to the American cause but immediately chose to remain loyal to his king and country. Washington, though understanding of economic realities in England, fought for the best interests of his American countrymen. And thus the battle between them began. Click to learn more about how the philosophies of these two men shaped a war and ultimately the birth of a new nation. More.

Washington and Cornwallis

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George Washington, General and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, James Peale, 1787 - 1790, public domain

Image from Wikimedia Commons; Current location: National Portrait Gallery. Licensing information: This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1923.

Lord Cornwallis, Thomas Gainsborough, 1783, public domain