Ken Burns on Trump’s America: 'What’s happened to the party of Abraham Lincoln?'

American Identity & History - The core American question revolves around the choice between living in a community-oriented "Bedford Falls" or a materialistic "Pottersville," highlighting the importance of common purpose and connection [1][21][22] - American democracy emerged as a consequence of the Revolution, not its initial intention, with unintended consequences shaping history [17][18] - The American Revolution was a brutal civil war with neighbor turning against neighbor, emphasizing the complexity and internal conflict of the nation's founding [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] - The American Revolution involved diverse participants, including teenagers, immigrants, and Native Americans, underscoring the complex and multi-faceted nature of the nation's origin story [16][17][33][34][74][75][76][77][78] - The American Revolution offers lessons for understanding current challenges, emphasizing the importance of embracing complexity and avoiding binary thinking [14][38] Storytelling & Historical Interpretation - History is primarily a story, emphasizing emotional archaeology and the importance of meaning alongside dates and facts [5][6] - The study of history provides a clearer understanding of the present and informs how to react and shape the future [14] - Heroism is not perfection but an internal negotiation between strengths and weaknesses, requiring self-criticism and constant readjustment [47][48][49][50][51] - Storytelling can bridge divides and change perspectives by offering complex narratives that resonate with individuals [58][59][90] - The American Revolution film aims to capture the complexity of the event, highlighting the sacrifices and struggles required to achieve the nation's ideals [37][66][67] Societal Values & Challenges - The fragility of systems and institutions is a concern, particularly in the face of assaults on historical understanding [8][10] - The American experiment requires faith in its process and ideas, emphasizing the importance of citizen responsibility and engagement [43][44][45] - Apathy is a significant danger, and valuing the nation's principles requires active participation and engagement [85][86][87][88][89] - The pursuit of happiness is not about acquiring material possessions but about lifelong learning and engaging in a marketplace of ideas [60][61]