The American Revolution

1. The American Revolution

2. The American Revolution The colonies were generally unprepared for war Unformed nation 1/3 population of Britain Inferior economic and military resources Enemy: world’s greatest armed power Americans deeply divided

3. The American Revolution The Second Continental Congress Two poles Pole 1: John Adams, Samuel Adams Richard Henry Lee: Complete independence

4. The American Revolution The Second Continental Congress Two poles Pole 2: John Dickinson of PA and other moderates: modest reforms in the imperial relationship that would permit early reconciliation

5. The American Revolution Olive Branch Petition One last conciliatory appeal to the king King rejected, proclaimed colonies in rebellion and asked Parliament for naval blockade. Declaration of the Causes and Necessity… British government had left the colonies with only 2 alternatives: unconditional submission to the tyranny of irritated ministers or resistance by force.

6. The American Revolution Thomas Paine: Common Sense- • 47 page pamphlet • Expose folly of continuing to • believe reconciliation was • possible • Root of the problem was • the English Constitution • The king and the system that • permitted him to rule that • was to blame • England was no more fit to rule the • American continent than a satellite was • fit to rule the sun

7. The American Revolution The Second Continental Congress Met in May 1775; by June, most Delegates favored independence Congress president John Hancock Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA Selected a Committee of Five to write a Declaration of Independence

8. The American Revolution The Committee of Five: T. Jefferson B. Franklin Chairman J. Adams R. Sherman R. Livingston

9. The American Revolution The Declaration of Independence In writing the Declaration, Jefferson drew upon the writings of Enlightenment authors John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau

10. The American Revolution June 7, 1776—Richard Henry Lee of Virginia moved that “these United Colonies are, and of a right ought to be, free and independent States.” George Mason of Virginia: “All men are created equal.”

11. The American Revolution

12. The American Revolution PATRIOTS LOYALISTS Colonists in 1775 divided

13. The American Revolution The Articles of Confederation Created by the Second Continental Congress in 1777; ratified March 1781 Loosely tied together the 13 independent states Had to be ratified by all 13 states Many leaders wanted a loose confederation of independent states because they feared a strong national government as being a threat to states and individual freedoms

14. The American Revolution Challenges in Equipping Continental Army Primarily captured weapons and materiel Some obtained from friendly nations Insufficient American industry Congress had to request funds from state governments Congress sold long-term bonds; few Americans could afford them Congress issued paper money Led to inflation Borrowed heavily from friendly nations

15. The American Revolution Continental Army and colonial militias. Commander in Chief: George Washington of Virginia—43 year old veteran of French & Indian War. Symbol of stability around which soldiers and the nation could rally. Most successful in holding the new nation together.

16. The American Revolution Respective advantages/disadvantages British: Greatest navy Best-equipped army Resources of an empire Coherent structure of command But…several egregious blunders and miscalculations

17. The American Revolution Respective advantages/disadvantages American: Fighting on their own ground Many Americans deeply committed British people only half-hearted support for the war Substantial support from abroad

18. The American Revolution Three phases of the war Phase 1: New England and Canada Phase 2: Mid- Atlantic Region Phase 3: The South

19. The American Revolution The Battle of Bunker Hill June 1775—colonials laying siege to Boston. June 17, 1775—Gage attacks Breed’s Hill, north of Boston, with 2,400 Redcoats Colonel Prescott: “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” British hampered by heat and heavy uniforms. Colonials fight back 2 charges then run low on ammunition. Redcoats take hill.

20. The American Revolution The Battle of Bunker Hill Casualties: Colonials British 311 1000 Deadliest battle of American Revolution.

21. The American Revolution Canadian operations Arnold Montgomery Convinced British not a local MA affair

22. The American Revolution “These are times that try men’s souls.” Thomas Paine The Howes: General William and Admiral Richard (top)

23. The American Revolution Battle of Long Island—March 1776-August 1776. British: 32,000 regulars Hessian mercenaries

24. The American Revolution Continental Army: 19,000 untrained recruits/poor equipment British victory: heavy continental losses Washington retreats across Delaware River into PA.

25. The American Revolution Christmas night, 1776 Washington leads the Continental Army across the Delaware River into New Jersey. Key victory: Battle of Trenton— --surprise attack, defeated Hessians with minimal ammunition.

26. The American Revolution January 1777, American victory Battle of Princeton Spring 1777, General Howe wins Battle of Brandywine Creek then takes Philadelphia. Also wins later Battle at Germantown in Maryland.

27. The American Revolution Spring 1777—British plan: Burgoyne moves south from Canada to link with Howe in Albany, NY.

28. The American Revolution Continentals harassed British in wooded areas; many British casualties. Finally surrounded and defeated by Benedict Arnold and Horatio Gates at Saratoga.

29. The American Revolution Battle of Saratoga Burgoyne surrenders to Gates

30. The American Revolution Results of Battle of Saratoga British remained along seacoast for remainder of war. British confidence dropped—did not previously believe colonials could defeat them in battle. Led to alliance with France (1778) and French commitment to send troops as well as weapons and ammunition.

31. The American Revolution Winter 1778-- Howe still controlled Philadelphia Continental Army—deadly winter at Valley Forge, PA Little funds for supplies or to pay troops. Congress sold bonds to American investors & foreign governments Congress printed American money leading to inflation.

32. The American Revolution Europeans aided Americans Baron Friedrich von Steuben from Prussia Drillmaster—made “soldiers out of country bumpkins.” Marquis de Lafayette— 20 year old French aristocrat

33. The American Revolution The War in the South

34. The American Revolution The War in the South British government imposed new limits on its commitment to the war after Saratoga Decided to enlist the support of loyalists in order to undermine the Revolution from within

35. The American Revolution The War in the South End 1778: Lord Cornwallis takes Savannah May 1780— Cornwallis and Henry Clinton take Charles Town, SC— 5,500 American POW.

36. The American Revolution The War in the South January 1781 Battle of Cowpens The Patriot Guilford Court House Costly British win— Lost 25% of force.

37. The American Revolution The War in the South Battle of Yorktown Continental Army, one French army and 2 French fleets surround Cornwallis. One month siege. Cornwallis surrendered 17 Oct 1781

38. The American Revolution Brumidi: “The Surrender of Cornwallis

39. The American Revolution Treaty of Paris September 1783 U.S., GB, France and Spain U.S. negotiators: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin & John Jay Great Britain, France & Spain recognized U. S. independence Nation’s borders confirmed

40. The American Revolution

41. The American Revolution Loyalists after the Revolution Hounded by Patriots Harassed by judicial & legislative actions 100,000 fled to England and to Canada: created the first English- speaking community in Quebec

42. The American Revolution Social Change after the Revolution Anglican Church disestablished and government subsidies eliminated

43. The American Revolution Social Change after the Revolution Quakers in Pennsylvania were weakened

44. The American Revolution Social Change after the Revolution Position of Catholics improved (Charles Carroll)

45. The American Revolution Social Change after the Revolution African Americans Some: freedom, most no change Revolution exposed the continuing tension between the nation’s commitment to liberty and its commitment to slavery

46. The American Revolution Social Change after the Revolution Native Americans Most tribes ultimately chose to stay out of the war Revolution greatly weakened the position of Native Americans in several ways

47. The American Revolution Social Change after the Revolution Women Left in charge of families Some food riots and attacks on British troops Camp followers Molly Pitcher Women of significant value to army

48. The American Revolution Social Change after the Revolution Women Unmarried: some legal rights Married: no rights at all No property No contracts No legal authority over her children No voting Revolution did little to change

49. The American Revolution Concept of republicanism Power came from people Ideal of small freeholder Concept of equality No aristocracy No equality of condition, but equality of opportunity Excluded women, blacks, Native Amer.

50. The American Revolution Two phases of state constitutions All written Phase 1 Fear of bloated executive power Powerful legislatures Property requirements for voters in all states