Courage in Connecticut : the protection of democracy, 1687

Teaching Film Custodians abridged classroom version of a Cavalcade of America television episode, "Courage in Connecticut" (season 2, episode 32), which first aired June 22nd, 1954 on ABC-TV. Nearly a century before the Declaration of Independence , the people of the colony of Connecticut face a crisis when Sir Edmund Andros, the Royal Governor appointed by King James, replaces their elected Governor, Robert Treat, and demands the surrender of the Charter granted by James' predecessor, King Charles II. Rather than surrender it, Nathan Stanley and Robert Wadsworth hide the Charter in a hollow oak tree. Nevertheless, Andros assumes control, appoints his agent, Parkinson, as deputy and announces his plan to govern from Boston. Parkinson puts pressure on Wadsworth to produce the Charter and threatens to transport him to Boston, but Governor Treat reasserts his authority and orders Parkinson from the colony. In Boston, Parkinson learns from Andros that King James has been deposed and that their illegal usurpation of authority is ended. The people of Connecticut resume constitutional government in peace., Focuses on the crisis faced by people in the colony of Connecticut when Sir Edmund Andros, the Royal Governor appointed by King James, replaces their elected Governor Robert Treat, and demands the surrender of the Charter granted by James' predecessor, King Charles II. p Shows Nathan Stanley and Robert Wadsworth hiding the Charter in a hollow oak tree. Records Andros' assuming control and appointing a deputy Parkinson, and recounts Govenor Treat's reassertion of authority and his ordering parkinson from the colony. Concludes with Andros and Parkinson learning that King James has been dethroned and observes the resumption of constitutional government in Connecticut.