A History of Britain (2000)

S3E1 Forces of Nature (1780 - 1832)

Although Britain avoided the upheaval of the French Revolution in 1789, it teetered on the brink. This episode explores how 'the romantic generation' tapped into empathy for the everyday person. Visionaries like Thomas Paine and William Wordsworth transformed the concept of nature into a catalyst for change. The events in France, sparked by the storming of the Bastille, appeared to offer a hopeful path for Britain. However, as the grim consequences of the revolution unfolded, nature became a rallying cry for the nation's patriots.