The American Revolution

1. The American Revolution An Introduction to America’s beginging

2. Schedule of Presentation • The Patriotic Revolution • Approach of Conflict • French and Indian War • Intolerable Acts • Boston Massacre • Boston Tea Party • Key Players In the War • Major Events • Lexington and Concord • Battle of Bunker Hill • Declaration of Independence • Battle of Trenton • Treaty of Paris • War on the Home front • Minorities • Loyalist

3. The Patriotic Revolution Often we look at the American Revolution through a patriotic perspective. We celebrate our countries first victories and heroes Leutze. E Retrved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Crossing_the_Delaware

4. The Problem with this Patriotic View: By viewing our history only through the eyes of the revolutionaries, we are bias to the other sides of this point in history. Every war and history has multiple viewpoints. To learn and understand the war, we need to look at all perspectives, not just that of our victorious founders. Licht, M. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.writingfix.com/WAC/HistoryFix/AmericanRevolution_Heroes1.htm

5. The Approach of Conflict Much had been going on to build up to the outbreak of war. The following are a couple of key events you may want to take note of

6. The French and Indian War • 1754 to 1763 • French and Native American allies VS English and their Native American allies. • main conflict over control of land • Colonists fought alongside the British. • Many historic figures of the revolution got their experience in this war. Including George Washington. S. Johnson. Retrieved from http://www.writingfix.com/WAC/HistoryFix/AmericanRevolution_Heroes1.htm

7. Series of “Intolerable Acts” • The Sugar Act • 1764 • three-cent tax on sugar other goods. • Only certain members of colonial population were effected. • The Stamp Act • 1765 • the first to effect the entire population. • All publications (newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents) had to have a Stamp. • Townshend Acts • 1767 • taxes on lead, paints, glass, paper and tea. • “No taxation without representation.” Author Unknown. Retrieved from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/online/2006/grade10/ss/10socialstudies.htm

8. Boston Massacre • March 5, 1770 • protesting colonist VS British Soldiers • 5 colonist shot, one dead. • Both sides at fault • lead to further mistrust of British military Author Unknown. Retrieved from http://legacy.owensboro.kctcs.edu/mmaltby/his108/revolution.htm

9. Boston Tea Party • This was a particularly heated protest of the tax on tea. On December 16, 1773 Colonist know as the “Sons of Liberty”. Dressed as Mohawk Indians and dumped 342 crates of tea from English ships into the harbor. • Similar protest followed in other locations, and eventually tea was boycotted by patriot colonist across the 13 colonies • Was this a good or bad protest? • How did the Sons of Liberty treat Native Americans? • Was the motive worth the destruction? Retrieved from http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/5600/5624/boston_tea_party_1.htm

10. "Another attempt was made to save a little tea from the ruins of the cargo by a tall, aged man who wore a large cocked hat and white wig, which was fashionable at that time. He had sleightly slipped a little into his pocket, but being detected, they seized him and, taking his hat and wig from his head, threw them, together with the tea, of which they had emptied his pockets, into the water. In consideration of his advanced age, he was permitted to escape, with now and then a slight kick. “ First HandAccount of Boston Tea Party Author unknown, Retrieved from http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2005_winter_spring/boston_tea_party.htm From George Hewes, participant

11. Key Players in the War Neutralist Patriots Loyalist not in favor of War About 15 to 20 percent of population “Tories” or “Royalist” • freedom from British control. • Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Paine. • 40 to 45 percent of the white population • “Whigs” • Avoided taking sides • About 50% of population • Pacifism, Lack of Understanding or status as immigrant were all factors

12. Major Events

13. Lexington and Concord Retrieved from http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/winter96/enlargement.html • “The Shot Heard Round the World” • April 19th 1775 • British's planed to attack Concord’s arms depot. • Paul Revere • Americans lose at Lexington but win at Cord Click For fun Video! Author Unknown. Retrieved from http://qwickstep.com/search/what-caused-the-battle-of-lexington-and-concord.html

14. Battle of Bunker Hill • British attack the American occupied “Breed’s Hill” • 1775 • Ran out of ammunition • “Don’t shoot till you see the white of their eyes”. • Now renamed “Bunker Hill” Moshu, V. Retrieved from http://dumpendebat.net/2008/01/31/the-shrill-cry-of-internet-bugles/

15. Declaration of Independence • July 4, 1776 • USA declared free from Brittan • Written by Thomas Jefferson • Great Brittan responded by continuing the war Author Unknown. Retrieved from http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/07/the-signers-of-the-declaration-of-independence-did-so-on-august-2nd-1776-not-july-4th/

16. Battle of Trenton • December 26, 1776 • Preceded by many defeats • Three groups of American soldiers cross Delaware River and attack Hessians • Huge victory and moral boost Ketchum, R. The Winter Soldiers: The Battles for Trenton and Princeton

17. Treaty of Paris • September 3, 1783 • Ben Franklin, John Adams and John Jay signed in Paris • Brittan forced to recognize USA as independent nation • US borders established • America agrees to stop persecution of loyalists. Retrieved from http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/IbL_c0clUg0/National+Archives+Previews+Display+Treaty

18. War on the Home Front

19. Minorities • Native Americans • Torn on which side would support their cause • Many joined British • Viewed as “Savage” villains by patriots • African Americans • Hope of freedom • British offered escaped slaves emancipation • Continental Army promised freedom • Still, freedom was more a hope than a reality • Hypocrisy • Women • Took on roles abandon by men • Often became impoverished • Flocked to army camps J A M E S _ A R M I S T E A D P a t r i o t _ S p y Author Unknown. Retrieved from http://africanamericanempowerment.blogspot.com/2009/05/unsung-african-american-heroes.html

20. Life for Loyalist • Men often tarred & feathered, beaten, or killed • If they joined militia, property and possessions were confiscated • Women and children impoverished and homeless • 20% forced to flee Original Author unknown Retrieved from http://www.historum.com/showthread.php?t=13813&page=14

21. “We never sit down either to dinner or supper, but the least noise immediately spreads a general alarm and prevents us from enjoying the comfort of our meals. The very appetite proceeding from labour and peace of mind is gone; we eat just enough to keep up alive: our sleep is disturbed by the most frightful dreams; sometimes I start awake, as if the great hour of danger was come; at other times the howling of our dogs seems to announce the arrival of the enemy: we leap out of bed and run to arms; my poor wife with panting bosom and silent tears, takes leave of me, as if we were to see each other no more; she snatches the youngest children from their beds, who, suddenly awakened, increase by their innocent questions the horror of the dreadful moment. She tries to hide them in the cellar, as if our cellar was inaccessible to the fire. I place all my servants at the windows, and myself at the door, where I am determined to perish.” First Hand LoyalistAccount From J. Hector St. John De Crevecoeur as part of his book “Letters from an American Farmer” Author unknown, Retrieved from http://africanamericanempowerment.blogspot.com/2009/05/unsung-african-american-heroes.html