Presentation Transcript

1. The American Revolution

2. Second Continental Congress Re-united in Philadelphia just weeks after Lexington and Concord Agreed to support the war, but divided on what goals should be Many felt complete independence was required, others felt simply a redress of egregious British acts would do. Olive Branch Petition Document sent to King George III declaring themselves loyal subject to the crown, but listed grievances. Also sent document declaring failure to redress problems might result in bitter responses.
3. The Cause Gains Support British rejected Olive Branch Petition Passed Prohibitory Act closing colonies to all overseas trade and agreed to none of the concessions British used natives, slaves, and mercenaries to fight against colonists War became too expensive, and modest requests didn’t seem worthwhile “Common Sense” Pamphlet unanimously written by Thomas Paine Convinced Americans the problem was the British constitution itself that allowed King George and ministers to abuse their own people, it was simple “Common Sense” for them to break completely from such a government.
4. Declaration of Independence Continental Congress rejected British actions, declared American ports open to all countries except Great Britain, began actively pursuing allies. Appointed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin Jefferson was primary writer, minor revisions by other 2 Was mainly a collection of other writings and ideas already expressed by colonial governments, assemblies, and groups like the Sons of Liberty Two parts: explained belief in Social Contract, second was list of ways Britain had violated the Contract.
5. Mobilizing for War Selected George Washington to command a Continental Army Admired, respected, and trusted by all Patriots Commanded forces during French and Indian War Early and Devout believer in complete Independence Providing supplies for Army Without British industry the volume of necessary supplies couldn’t be obtained Paying for an army Congress couldn’t levy taxes directly from the people, only request it from state governments When they finally decided to print paper money they printed too much, each state printed their own, and inflation occurred.
6. America vs. Great Britain British Advantages Better Navy Better supplies from a wealthy and powerful empire Coherent structure of command American Advantages Fighting on their own land By in large had a deep belief in their cause, while many British half-heartedly supported the cause Had powerful foreign allies that distracted British, mainly France.

7. Three Phases of Revolution

   New England Phase Mid-Atlantic Phase Southern Phase
8. Military Strategies The Americans The British Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So. Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. “Divide and Conquer”  use the Loyalists. Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. Guerilla tactics [fight an insurgent war  you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down] Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies
9. New England Phase Siege at Boston Colonial militias and early Continental army led by Washington surrounded the city of Boston with Gen. Gage’s British Army inside. Boston was center of British military actions in America Battle of Bunker Hill Actually took place on Breed’s Hill Strategic location with high ground overlooking Boston and the Harbor. First time colonists met traditional British regulars in battle and held their own. They had every military advantage and still lost though
10. Bunker Hill – June 1775
11. Canadian Invasion / British Relocate British forces realized Boston was incapable of defense and left in Spring Took loyalists with them and headed for Nova Scotia With British free from Boston, Washington sent Benedict Arnold with a force to Quebec to remove any threat from the North. With heavy casualties and frustration the siege on Quebec failed. Congress sent a civilian group to Canada to gain diplomatic support. Even Ben Franklin couldn’t convince Canadians to join the cause.
12. Second Phase / New York and PA The most conventional and traditional part of the war Americans overmatched and nearly lost Shock and Awe 32,000 well-trained troops under William Howe landed in New York Washington had 19,000 poorly armed and untrained, and NO NAVY British overwhelming victory in Manhattan, chased Americans across the plains of New Jersey across the Delaware River and into Pennsylvania
13. Washington Crossing the Delaware
14. British Divide and Conquer Gen. Burgoyne led invasion from Canada South, while Howe would cut off any Americans from the Southern states Howe decided instead to attack Philadelphia, after quickly securing the capital Washington was forced to camp for winter at nearby Valley Forge Congress relocated to York, PA With little help from Howe, Burgoyne faltered in New York While Washington struggled through the bitter winter in Valley Forge, Baron Von Steuben trained his army
15. Saratoga and the Turning Point American diplomats traveled overseas to encourage European powers to recognize America as a country and support the effort Most notable was the efforts of Benjamin Franklin in France Franklin became a celebrity of sorts in Paris and intrigued not only among French aristocrats but also King Louis XVI Victory at Battle of Saratoga Last battle with Burgoyne in New York, with the last of his troops surrounded he was forced to surrender Major victory that convinced France to get into the war
16. Third and Final Phase/ the South Infiltration from within Rather than preparing for full scale war, they tried to enlist loyalists from the South where they thought more loyalists resided. Most white southerners refused for two reasons Fear of retaliation from Patriot neighbors The British promised freedom to any slaves who fought for them, this upset many who otherwise might have helped them. A slippery Enemy American militias blended in with civilian population and walked among them moving freely through the countryside.
17. British Success and Nathanael Greene British military quickly seized Savannah and Charleston and then moved inland American militias proved difficult to pin down, but they won every traditional battle. After Lord Cornwallis was able to crush forces under Horatio Gates he was replaced by the talented Nathanael Greene Greene broke up the Continental Army into smaller units that could move more quickly and win smaller strategic battles Won major victories at Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse
18. World Turns Upside Down at Yorktown Cornwallis was ordered to move north and wait for reinforcements at Yorktown, VA British Navy was constantly harassed by French navy and couldn’t receive much needed supplies Washington’s army closed in from the North while Greene surrounded him from the South Cornwallis was forced to surrender on October 17, 1781 Claimed to be ill and made a subordinate officially surrender for him
19. Finding Peace in Paris Franklin, Adams, and John Jay met in Paris with English diplomats along with French. Were under strict orders to cooperate with wishes of the French, but some of their demands of the British were unreasonable. Fearing this would hinder the process, they proceeded without informing French diplomats and signed a preliminary treaty. Franklin had to pacify French to avoid problems.
20. Treaty of Paris Formally signed on September 3, 1783 America was granted clear recognition of independence Territory from the southern border of Canada to Northern border of Florida From the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River
21. New Governments Republicanism Must have a political system where power comes from the people, not supreme authority like a king. Emphasis placed on the ideal of Civic Virtue Small, independent landholders hold majority of power, the basic American political ideology Unfortunately, women, slaves, and native Americans were often left out or exploited, still the early American system was much more tolerant than European governments.
22. State Governments General feeling that the unwritten constitution of England had opened the door for corruption. Need for each state to have a written plan for government. Agreed the powers of Executive should be limited PA actually eliminated the Executive branch of government altogether. Every state forbade their governors from holding a seat in legislatures to keep the branches separate. Later, many of the states saw a need for stronger governors and amended their Constitutions.
23. The Articles of Confederation Confederation – a band of loosely united independent states that come together to achieve a purpose. Congress would remain the only institution of national authority. 13 members, one from each state Authority to conduct war Create appropriate treaties with foreign nations Borrow money from states, issue currency
24. Problems with The Articles Needed 9 of 13 votes to pass a law and all 13 had to approve any amendment. Laws rarely were passed, and most states refused to enforce them if in disagreement. No President or Executive officer to enforce any laws. Congress could not regulate trade, draft troops, or collect taxes directly from the people. Could only ask for funds and soldiers, often states refused.
25. Debt, Depression, Daniel Shays The war was extremely expensive Under the Articles, each state was responsible for debts incurred by their militias. The boom of wartime production was soon followed by the bust of post-war economy. Inflation Each state printed its own currency and therefore the value of U.S. dollars dropped Each state raised taxes considerably higher than before the war.
26. Shays’s Rebellion Daniel Shays – captain of the Connecticut army during the war. Farmer living in western Massachusetts. Couldn’t pay taxes and Massachusetts government threatened to take his land. Shays’ followers wanted tax relief and advanced on arsenal in Springfield, but were eventually stopped by a militia funded by wealthy Boston merchants. While a military failure, Shays’s Rebellion was the last straw pointing to failures of the Articles.