America Secedes From the Empire

1. America Secedes From the Empire Chapter 8

2. Introduction • 2nd Continental Congress met in Phila in May 1775 and this time all 13 colonies were represented. • The attendees were split among 2 groups; the Separatists and the Reconciliationists (the majority). • There was still no strong, defined sentiment for independence- merely a desire to continue fighting in hope that the king and Parliament would consent to a redress of grievances.

3. Introduction • More appeals to the British were spurned. • The Congress took measures to raise money for creation of a Continental Army and Navy.

4. Congress Drafts George Washington • Congress, in perhaps their most important action, selected George Washington to head the army besieging Boston. • Washington was not a popular choice. • Never ranked above colonel • Largest command was only 1,200 troops • Actually lost more battles than he won • Washington had strong character and leadership. • His selection was largely political because people were starting to distrust the large New England army around Boston.

5. Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings • The 14 month war (April 1775 to July 1776) was very inconsistent; The colonists were reaffirming their loyalty to the king and wishing to patch up their differences, but at the same time, they were raising armies and shooting down His Majesty’s soldiers.

6. Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings • Battles increased as warfare picked up the tempo • May 1775, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold secured a store of gunpowder at Ticonderoga and Crown Point (upstate NY). • June 1775, colonists seized Bunker Hill (actually it was Breed’s Hill). 1,500 Americans slaughtered 3,000 British as they tried to attack up the hill.

7. Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings • July 1775, the CC adopted the Olive Branch Petition (derogatory name given by John Adams), which professed American loyalty to the crown and begged the king to prevent future hostilities. • The slaughter at Bunker Hill slammed the door on all hope of reconciliation as far as King George III was concerned.

8. Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings • George hired thousands of German troops to help crush the rebellion. • The 6 German prince hired needed the money (one, reportedly had 74 kids); George III needed the men. • This shocked the colonists, who felt this was a “family” quarrel. • The Hessians were more interested in what they could get if they won than fighting.

9. The Abortive Conquest of Canada • Autumn of 1775, the rebels undertook a 2 pronged invasion of Canada. • 2 officers, Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold, were sent with militia and Continental troops from the newly formed Continental Army.

10. The Abortive Conquest of Canada • 2,000 troops marched northward, which was important; until this point, the colonists claimed they were merely fighting defensively; this was an undisguised offensive warfare. • Montgomery pushed up Lake Champlain and captured Montreal. He was joined by Benedict Arnold’s regiment. • An assault on Quebec was launched on Dec. 31, 1775 and was defeated by the British. • Montgomery was killed and Arnold was shot and wounded.

11. The Abortive Conquest of Canada • January 1776 Norfolk, VA is burned by the British. • February 1776 in the south, 1,500 Loyalists were defeated at Moore’s Creek Bridge in N.C. (rebels loosened planks/greased the bridge so the Loyalists fell into the river and rebels opened fired). • March 1776 the British were finally forced out of Boston (Evacuation Day is still annually celebrated)

12. Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense • In January 1776, the pamphlet “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine is published. • He arrives in America from Britain and finishes the pamphlet. • He said things that weren’t new, but he wrote them in a way that appealed to the middle and lower classes. • He wanted each colony to declare their independence, and when they do, they should form a Republican government and become a model for the rest of the world.

13. Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense • Paine asserts that America has a special role in the world. • “Common Sense” is written in a way that openly mocks the British. • Within months 120,000 copies were sold for very cheap (another way that the information can get to the masses in America).

14. Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism” • Paine called for a new kind of political society, a republic, where power flowed from the people themselves, not from a corrupt despotic monarch. • Paine wrote “Common Sense” in biblical language that appealed to common folk. • The American colonists interpreted the vengeful acts (or Acts) of the previous decade as part of a monarchical conspiracy to strip them of their liberties as British subjects.

15. Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism” • Most Americans considered citizen “virtue” fundamental to any successful republican government. • The collective good of “the people” mattered more than the private rights and interests of individuals. • Not everyone agreed with Paine. Some favored a republic ruled by a “natural aristocracy” or talent. • They felt republicanism was an end to hereditary aristocracy, not all social aristocracy.

16. Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence • On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of VA says that, “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.” • The passing of Lee’s resolution was the formal “declaration” of independence by the American colonies, and technically this was all that was needed to cut the British tie. • John Adams wrote confidently that ever thereafter, July 2 would be celebrated annually with fireworks.

17. Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence • A more formal statement of separation was needed; and writing the at draft fell on the shoulders of 33 year old Thomas Jefferson. • From June 16- June 27, Jefferson worked on the draft of the Declaration of Independence. • He turns it over to the other members of the Declaration committee (John Adams, Ben Franklin, etc.) who change it, then it is handed over to the CC, who makes more changes.

18. Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence • In all, 86 changes are made to the draft. Jefferson is no happy about this. • On July 2, CC is ready to vote. 12 of 13 colonies vote (No New York). 12 colonies unanimously declare independence. • 2 days later on July 4th, they are still making changes to Jefferson’s draft.

19. Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence • So actually, July 2nd is the day when we declared Independence, it was adopted on July 4th. • Jefferson, in effect, acted like a prosecuting attorney, and he took certain liberties with historical truth (ex. “All men created equal”, but he owned slaves.)

20. 3 Conflicts Rolled Into One • A war of liberation, a war to gain independence. • A frontier conflict between Americans and Indians. • A civil war between Americans and the Loyalists. • The British colonies saw this revolution as a domino theory; after the Americans wanted independence, then the Canadian would want it, then the British Isles, right on down the line. • As long as the Continental Army was in existence, the Revolution would continue (this was never given the priority it should have been given).

21. Patriots and Loyalists • Colonials loyal to the king (Loyalists) fought the American rebels (Patriots), while the rebels also fought the British redcoats. • Loyalists were also known as “Tories” and the Patriots were called “Whigs”. • There was an old saying among the Whigs, “A Tory is a thing whose head is in England, and its body in America, and it its neck ought to be stretched.”

22. Patriots and Loyalists • The Revolution was largely a minority movement with many colonists remaining indifferent or neutral. • The Loyalists numbered around 16% of the American people. • Often families were split (ex. Ben Franklin and his illegitimate son William Franklin, who was a Loyalist).

23. Patriots and Loyalists • Many people of education and wealth, of culture and caution, remained loyal because they thought any change would be for the worse (people knew where their daily bread came from). • Loyalists tended to be members of the Anglican Church (except in VA). • Loyalists were strong in NY (aristocrats), Charleston, and Quaker PA and weak in New England. • Rebels were strong where Presbyterian and Congregationalism flourished.

24. The Loyalists Exodus • After the Declaration of Independence, the rebels considered the Loyalists, not themselves, to be the traitors. • The Loyalists that stayed in the colonies (several hundred thousand or so, were allowed to stay) and their homes were confiscated and sold to finance the war. • Approximately 50,000 Loyalists bore arms for the British and served as spies.

25. General Washington at Bay • The 1st stage of the war ends in July 1776 as the British have largely been forced out of the U.S. • The British evacuated Boston in March of 1776 and head to the New York/Canada area to resupply and reinforce the army. • The CC wants to build up the Continental Army (they get it up to 20,000, but 8,000 didn’t have weapons).

26. General Washington at Bay • August 21-22, 1776 30,000 British (9,000 Hessians) enter the Port of New York. • The plan is to divide New York in piece meal fashion, which they feel is possible because; • Port is accessible for troops • Strong Loyalist support in New York (23,000). • Allow the British to seize the Hudson River • Big mistake was that they didn’t feel they needed to conquer the Continental Army.

27. General Washington at Bay • General William Howe quickly defeats the raw American army and instead of following them to crush them, he famously decides to pursue (Battle of Long Island). • As he waits to starve the colonists out, a Nor'easter kicks up and provides needed cover for the rebels. • He asks Washington to surrender. Washington says he will think about it as his army is escaping to Manhattan Island and across the Hudson into New Jersey.

28. General Washington at Bay • Had Howe tried to cut the Continental Army off on Manhattan Island, he could have put down the Revolution. • Washington crosses the Delaware River at Trenton (12/26/76), surprises and captures thousands of Hessians as they sleep off their Christmas celebration.

29. Why Did Howe Not Pursue the Americans? • Thought he should could starve the Continental Army out. • Said he didn’t have enough cavalry (remembered what happened at Breed’s Hill). • Took a new mistress who was the wife of a subordinate and he was more interested in her than the War. • Howe wanted to concentrate on Fort Lee and Fort Washington because they had fewer troops and more supplies.

30. Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion • In 1777, the British strategy was to sever New England from the rest of the country. • The main invading force, was under the actor-playwright-gambler-soldier John (Gentleman Johnny) Burgoyne. • Burgoyne would push down from Canada and link up near Albany with Howe’s army, which was moving north.

31. Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion • They were met by Benedict Arnold who fought valiantly, but ultimately lost. • Arnold, however, bought the Continental Army more time as his battle forced Burgoyne to spend the winter in Canada. • Slowly, Burgoyne descended south thinking he would soon meet up with Howe. • Howe decided to move south into Philly (his idea of the U.S. capital) and defeat Washington head-to-head.

32. Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion • This would allow Burgoyne to move through the northeast freely. • Washington was defeated, but his army retired for the winter at Valley Forge (20 miles northeast of Philly) while Howe enjoyed the Philly nightlife. • Prussian drillmaster Baron von Steuben whipped the Continentals into shape at Valley Forge.

33. Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion • Burgoyne was slowly moving and getting bogged down by American militiamen in the northeast, and ultimately he was forced to surrender at Saratoga on October 17, 1777. • This was one of the most decisive battles of both American and world history.

34. Revolution in Diplomacy? • The Americans stood for revolutionary political ideas at home, they also harbored revolutionary ideas about international affairs. • Wanted an end to colonialism and mercantilism • Supported free trade and freedom of the seas. • In 1776, the CC drafted a Model Treaty for American diplomats going to rouse French support.

35. Revolution in Diplomacy? • John Adams, one of the chief authors, described the basic principles; • No political connection • No military connection • Only commercial connection • This was important because it echoed the new school of thought that military conflict could be abandoned in favor of the mutual trust of commercial interests.

36. Revolution in Diplomacy? • On February 6, 1778, France offered the Americans a treaty of alliance; but the Americans may have gotten more than they bargained for. • Both sides bound themselves to wage war until the U.S. had fully secured its freedom and until both agreed to terms with the common enemy. • The American Revolution was now a world war.

37. The Colonial War Becomes a Wider War • Spain entered the fray against Britain in 1779, as did Holland. • In 1780 Catherine the Great of Russia organized the Armed Neutrality, which lined up the remaining European neutrals in an attitude of passive hostility toward Britain. • The war was now being fought in South America, the Caribbean, and Asia.

38. The Colonial War Becomes a Wider War • The Americans did not gain their independence until the conflict erupted into a multi power world war that was too big for Britain to handle. • The main aid given by the French (other than money, guns, soldiers) was the powerful navy, which helped change the British war strategy. The British could no longer count on blockading the East Coast.

39. Blow and Counterblow • By 1780, the French arrived and the Americans were suspicious of their new allies (a few minor skirmishes broke out between the new allies). • Later in 1780 General Benedict Arnold turned traitor. • He felt his genius was not being used to its potential and he plotted with the British to sellout a key stronghold at West Point for 6,300 pounds sterling and an officers’ commission. • At the last moment, the plot was detected and Arnold fled with the British.

40. The Land Frontier and the Sea Frontier • The Indian allies of King George III were on the western frontier trying to protect their land. • The thought was that if the British were victorious they would restrain American expansion into the West. • In 1784 the pro-British Iroquois were forced to sign the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, the first treaty between the U.S. and an Indian nation.

41. The Land Frontier and the Sea Frontier • Settlers were moving westward into Kentucky • Lexington was named after the battle • Louisville was named after the new ally King Louis XVI • Even though the Americans had a small navy led by Scotsman John Paul Jones, the privateer ships were much more damaging. • Privateers were privately owned armed ships- legalized pirates- authorized by Congress to prey on enemy shipping.

42. Yorktown and the Final Curtain • 1780-1781 was a dark time in the war. • Inflation was on the rise • The government declared that it would only repay debts at 2.5 cents on the dollar. • British Gen. Cornwallis had fallen back to Yorktown in the Chesapeake Bay awaiting reinforcements and supplies.

43. Yorktown and the Final Curtain • French Admiral de Grasse blockaded Cornwallis by sea as Washington’s army marched 300 miles from New York to Chesapeake Bay along with French General Comte de Rochambeau. • On October 19, 1781 Cornwallis, completely cornered, surrendered his entire force of 7,000 men. • Theoretically, this should not have been a big deal since the British still had 52,000 troops in the U.S. • Lord North thought the war was over, but King George wanted to keep fighting.

44. Peace at Paris • After Yorktown, the war went on for more than a year. • Despite King George, many Britons were ready for the fighting to end. • The British faced defeat in India and the West Indies (land that the French had promised to give to Spain for their help). • Lord North’s ministry collapsed in 1782 and it was replaced by a Whig monarchy.

45. Peace at Paris • Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay were sent to Paris for peace negotiations. • Congress told them not to make any separate peace treaties than the one they were to sign to end the war and to consult with the French. • These men knew that Congress was weak and heavily guided by the French.

46. Peace at Paris • The French wanted to keep the colonists bottled east of the Allegheny Mountains to promote French interests without allowing the Americans to become too powerful. • Jay knew that the French had to repay the Spanish (Gibraltar) and he astutely knew they couldn’t satisfy both the Americans and the Spanish. • Jay thought the French were going to betray America, so he broke his orders and quickly signed a treaty with England.

47. Peace at Paris • By the Treaty of Paris of 1783; • American independence was recognized by the British • British secede all land south of Canada, west of Appalachian Mountains, and east of the Mississippi. • American concessions; • Loyalists were not to be further persecuted • Congress was to recommend to the state legislatures that confiscated Loyalist property was to be restored. • The colonists were to repay British creditors.

48. Peace at Paris • Future harmony was hampered when neither of these were paid attention to by the Americans. • British defeat actually paid dividends as they were bled dry by the war. • Getting out when they did allowed them to build their army and navy in order to defeat Napoleon.

49. A New Nation Legitimized • Why were the British so generous to the U.S.? • Britain was trying to seduce the Americans from their alliance to the French. • The new Whig ministry was more friendly to the Americans than were the Tories. • The Americans gained, the British were battered and beaten, and the French savored sweet revenge, but headed down the slippery slope toward bankruptcy and revolution.