Chapter 8

1. Chapter 8 America Secedes from the Empire, 1775–1783

2. I. Congress Drafts George Washington • Second Continental Congress (Phila. May, 1775) • Select George Washington to head the army • The choice was made with considerable misgivings • Only a colonel, lost more battles than won • He radiated patience, courage, self-discipline

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4. II. Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings • 1775 to July 1776, fighting but no independence • June 1775 the colonists seized Bunker Hill • Olive Branch Petition (July 1775) • Professed American loyalty to the crown • George III proclaimed colonies in rebellion (8/75) • Rebellion a ‘hanging’ offense • Hired thousands of German (Hessian) troops

5. III. The Abortive Conquest of Canada • In the north Portland, Maine burned (Oct. 1775) • Reprisal- U.S. daring Canadian invasion • British succeed in middle colonies • January 1776 - British set fire to Norfolk, Va. • March 1776 – Rebels forced to evacuate Boston • In the South the rebels win two victories • February 1776 – rebels win in North Carolina • June 1776 stop an invading fleet at Charleston

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7. IV. Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense • Loyalty to the empire was deeply ingrained: • Common Sense by Thomas Paine (1776) • Real power “from the consent of the governed.” • Goal-convince people their cause-independence

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9. V. Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism” • Paine was calling for a republic • All government gain authority from popular consent • Individuals in a republic: • Sacrifice personal self-interest to the public good • The collective good of “the people” most important

10. VI. Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence • An inspirational appeal for freedom was needed • To rally resistance at home. • To invite assistance for foreign nations • Congress selected Thomas Jefferson to write • The Declaration of Independence • Formally approved by Congress on July 4, 1776 • Had universal appeal- “natural rights”, had three parts • Philosophical background • List of Grievances • Resolution / action to be taken

12. VII. Patriots and Loyalists • War of Independence was a war within a war • Many (most) colonists were apathetic or neutral • Loyalists-aka “Tories”, supported England • Many were educated, wealthy, older, and cautious • Patriots-aka rebels &“Whigs”, for independence • Revolution was a minority movement • Rebels took the task of “political education”

13. VIII. The Loyalist Exodus • Before the Declaration in 1776 • Persecution of the Loyalists was relatively mild • Harsher treatment began after the Declaration • Were regarded as traitors • Some imprisoned, some hung • There was no wholesale reign of terror • Several hundred thousand were permitted to stay • ~80,000 were driven out or fled • The estates of the fugitives were confiscated and sold

14. IX. General Washington at Bay • General Washington • Loss the Battle of Long Island (Sept 1776) • Howe didn’t chase and crush defeated U.S. troops • Washington won at Trenton (December 26, 1776) • Victory at Princeton (Jan. 1777)

15. X. Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion • London plan to capture Hudson R. valley (1777) • Divided and conquer strategy • Sever New England from the rest of the states • British stopped at Saratoga on (Oct 1777) • Caused French to support America • Washington moved to Philadelphia area • Defeated at Brandywine Creek and Germantown • Washington retired to Valley Forge

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23. XI. Revolution in Diplomacy? • France wanted to regain N. Am. Dominance • The loss in the Seven Years’ War rankled deeply • U.S desperately needed help against the British • The Model Treaty(summer 1776) w/Fremch • No political or military connections, only commercial • Benjamin Franklin negotiated treaty in Paris

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25. XII. The Colonial War Becomes a Wider War • France’s entry forced British to change strategy • Could no longer blockade the colonial coast • British decided to evacuate Philadelphia • Spain & Holland entered in 1779 • Russia, (1780) organized the Armed Neutrality • Most of Europe passive hostility toward Britain

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27. XIII. Blow and Counterblow • 1780: French troops, gold & goodwill help • The Southern campaign • 1780 General Benedict Arnold turned traitor • Georgia was ruthlessly overrun in 1778-1779 • Charleston, South Carolina, fell in 1780 • General Greene reclaimed Georgia & South Carolina • ‘Standing and retreating’ strategy (1781)

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29. XIV. The Land Frontier and the Sea Frontier • The West was ablaze during the war • 1777: “the bloody year” on the frontier • 1784 Iroquois Treaty of Fort Stanwix (gave up land) • George Rogers Clark • Attacked Britain’s Ohio River forts (1778-1779) • America’s infant navy led by John Paul Jones • Helped by swift privateers • Eventually British shippers/manufacturers wanted peace

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32. XV. Yorktown and the Final Curtain • Cornwallis fell back to Yorktown, VA • French & American army marched to controlled land • French navy moved to controlled the sea • The British were completely cornered • Cornwallis surrendered (Oct., 1781) • George III planned to continue the struggle • Sporadic fighting for more than a year

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34. XVI. Peace at Paris • In GB people were tired of war, had a new gov’t • France wanted land / influence for their efforts • Franklin, Adams, Jay – American negotiators • John Jay negotiated secretly with Britain (1782) • The Treaty of Paris of 1783 • Britain recognized the independence of the U.S. • Granted generous boundaries • Return land of & no persecution of Loyalists • Debts long owed to British creditors had to be paid • However, the debt promises were not carried out

35. XVII. A New Nation Legitimized • Treaty of Paris (1783) terms were favorable • America gained world recognition by winning

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