Those Who Refused to Kneel | America Before the Revolution

In this immersive episode of Why Wars Happened, step into 1650s Virginia, where Governor Berkeley swore loyalty to the executed king and refused to bow to Parliament—the “king-killers.” With militias arming and British soldiers patrolling the James River, Virginia stood at the brink of a colonial war.

The colonists secretly traded with the Dutch, gaining wealth even as England bled losses. But their defiance came at a dangerous price: threats of invasion, demands for submission, and the first sparks of rebellion in America.

This is a story of loyalty, defiance, and near-war, told through immersive off-camera narration with calming visuals that carry you into the past.

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💬 Comment below: Would you have stood with the king—or surrendered to Parliament?

🕰️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & Recap

00:44 – Fierce Loyalty to the King

01:37 – Navigation Acts Tighten England’s Grip

03:13 – Defiance and Secret Dutch Trade

05:33 – Parliament’s Response and Military Action

07:15 – Standoff, Negotiations, and Concessions

10:22 – Closing + Next Episode Teaser

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