As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, it finds itself facing significant challenges. This moment is not unique in the nation’s history, as it has previously stood on the brink of momentous changes. The new Netflix docuseries, “The American Experiment,” directed by Brian Knappenberger and executive produced by Tom Hanks, presents a comprehensive exploration of the Revolutionary War, the country’s founding, and the foundational principles of the nation. The series examines events from the ratification of the Constitution to the emergence of political partisanship, assessing whether the American experiment will endure or falter.
The docuseries’ first three episodes delve into the 13 colonies’ struggles with the British Crown over unfair taxation, the consequences of the French and Indian War, and pivotal incidents such as the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party. Featuring insights from figures like Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, and various senators and historians, the series initially resembles Ken Burns’ PBS docuseries, “The American Revolution,” with its use of reenactments, voiceovers, maps, and portraits. However, “The American Experiment” sharpens its focus in Episode 4, “We The People.”
Discussions about America’s current state often suggest it is unrecognizable, yet “The American Experiment” argues that the nation’s true nature is revealed in 2026. Deep divisions have always been part of the fabric of American society. During the formation of the Constitution after the American Revolution, the Atlantic Slave Trade and slavery were major contentious issues. The nation’s history shows a foundation rooted in racism and built on the labor of the enslaved. A compromise that appeased Southern states extended the slave trade for two more decades. The Civil War, which erupted a century later, highlights how white supremacy and the oppression of Black people and people of color have led to persistent instability for many Americans from the outset.
Connecting past to present, figures like Pence and Hillary Rodham Clinton reflect on the core elements of American democracy, such as the Electoral College and the peaceful transfer of power. Clinton, reflecting on her 2016 electoral loss to Donald Trump despite winning the popular vote, describes the Electoral College as an “abomination.”
In Episode 5, “Washington’s Warning,” Pence discusses ratifying the 2020 election results against Donald Trump’s wishes. He portrays himself as principled, despite his political career having caused harm to American citizens, from his time in Indiana to the White House. Similarly, Senator Ted Cruz speaks of his heritage as a son of a Cuban immigrant, even as he maintains a conservative position on immigration rights.
The series also touches on unforeseen challenges by the Founding Fathers, such as Congress’s deliberate weakness, the Supreme Court’s expanded power, and the difficulty of amending the Constitution. Central to the series is its thesis that the framework established by a group of white men, some of whom were slaveholders, was always intended as a temporary foundation.
“The American Experiment” offers a detailed review of America’s past, highlighting both achievements and shortcomings of its leaders. As the nation approaches its 250th year, it stands at a crossroads: to become a more perfect union or to collapse under the weight of its own injustices. Benjamin Franklin’s famous words, “A republic, if you can keep it,” serve as a poignant reminder of this fragile balance.
“The American Experiment” premieres June 24 on Netflix.
