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The American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War. By May of 1775. A state of war exists between England and her American Colonies colonists loyalties are divided: 1/3 are ready to break with England completely 1/3 despite misgivings, want to remain loyal 1/3 are not sure what to do Boston is under siege.

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The American Revolutionary War

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  1. The American Revolutionary War

  2. By May of 1775 ... • A state of war exists between England and her American Colonies • colonists loyalties are divided: • 1/3 are ready to break with England completely • 1/3 despite misgivings, want to remain loyal • 1/3 are not sure what to do • Boston is under siege

  3. the Mecklenburg Declaration declares the Provincial Congress as the only lawful government in NC • The 2nd Congress convenes in Philadelphia, PA • functions as de facto government of the colonies • mints Continental currency and borrows to fund the war • names militia in and around Boston as the Continental Army and names George Washington Commanding General • sends delegates to France and other European nations to enlist help • debates independence - not easy to decide to commit treason

  4. Patriot Voices • “Gentlemen, we must hang together, or we will most assuredly hang separately.” --Benjamin Franklin • “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” -- Patrick Henry

  5. Battles for Boston • City is blockaded by the Royal Navy • conditions in the city are getting worse • British attack militia positions for key high ground

  6. Bunker Hill [first real test] • Britishcharge Patriot positions on Breed’s Hill • running low on ammo, rebel commander tells his troops, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!”

  7. British regulars charge the hill 3X before taking it. • Patriots fall back to Bunker Hill • High ground still held by Patriots • but they need more ammo and ARTILLERY

  8. Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture Ft. Ticonderoga … • and it’s cannon! • Gen. Knox gets them 300 miles to Boston - over hills and mountains in the winter.

  9. With cannon in place, Boston becomes untenable - British evacuate the city

  10. The War expands • Washington chased out of New York and New Jersey • Enlistments will be up by year’s end, and it’s nearly Christmas • Thomas Paine’s Common Sense convinces many to stay • what’s needed is a W

  11. Washington’s Genius • Christmas Eve - Washington sets up the Hessians across the river • crosses at night, bursts into town unexpected • troops a bit groggy from celebrating night before • quickly routed, Gen. Rahl is mortally wounded and surrenders • more magic at Princeton a few days later • fire and maneuver • army decides to stay

  12. Meanwhile, back in Philadelphia. . . • The 2nd Continental Congress tries to manage both a war and a de facto country. • Pattern of borrowing money and printing more leads to dangerous inflation and devaluation. • Supplies and logistics a continual problem • In France, Benjamin Franklin’s attempts to enlist French help are without result • And still not all the delegates are in favor of independence, but time for reconciliation is fast running out… • One last attempt – the Olive Branch Petition • In NC, April 12 1776, the Halifax Resolves call for complete independence from Britain [first in Freedom]

  13. The Declaration of Independence • Still intense debate over the final step • Thomas Jefferson appointed to write the Declaration • borrows heavily from Enlightenment thinkers, esp. John Locke’s ideas of Social Contract and Natural Rights • Part One: Declaration of Natural Rights [political ideas] Note key phrases • Part Two: list of grievances [why isn’t Parliament mentioned?] • Part Three: Statement of independence pledge and signatures of delegates • Proclaimed July 4, 1776 [the point is moot, if. . .] • Heritage of other revolutions

  14. John Hancock – President of the Congress – signs first, and signs large [“put your John Hancock here”] • Dilemma for the Loyalists [“Tories”] • There is now no going back • King George III’s diary entry for July 4, 1776 . . . • “Nothing of importance happened today.”

  15. Turning point in upstate New York: Battles of Saratoga • Howe’s strategy to end the war • Howe captures Philadelphia; Philadelphia captures Howe • Burgoyne’s slow advance down the Hudson • Met at Saratoga by Gates and Arnold • Defeat means: • New Englandnot cut off • Aid from France

  16. British take the war South • Hoping for help from Loyalists in Savannah and Charleston - 1780 • Difficulties moving inland • Defeats at Cowpens and Kings Mt. • Greene and Morgan chase Cornwallis out of the Carolinas • Cornwallis at Yorktown • Besieged • French Fleet to the rescue • Surrender – Oct. 1781

  17. Battle of Yorktown

  18. End Game • “It’s over!” – Lord North in Parliament • 2 years of negotiation finally result in the Peace of Paris, 1783. • England recognizes U.S. independence • Franklin, Adams and Jay avoid French control • Now what? • Many dead, families and businesses ruined • Worthless currency • Massive debt • 2nd Continental Congress drafts the nation’s first true government – The Articles of Confederation

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