The American Revolution : The Three Phases of the War (1775-1783)

1. The American Revolution: The Three Phases of the War (1775-1783)

2. The First Continental Congress 1774 Important to remember: • Show of colonial unity (12/13 sent reps) • Sent a Declaration of Rights and Grievances to the king • Adopted the controversial Suffolk Resolves • Formed the Continental Association to enforce economic sanctions • Agreed to meet in 1775 if necessary Dr. Joseph Warren, author of the Suffolk Resolves

3. PHASE 1: New England April 1775 - Action at Lexington & Concord. Massachusetts militiamen drive British troops back to Boston. The British suffer 73 dead, and 250 casualties during the engagement. April 1775 – The Siege of Boston begins. Militiamen from across New England converge on Boston. Gen Gage now transitions from putting down a rebellion to withstanding a siege.

4. PHASE 1: New England The Second Continental Congress: • Declaration of the Causes and Necessities for Taking Up Arms calls for colonies to provide troops. • Virginian, George Washington, was appointed C-in-C of the Continental Army and dispatched to take command in Boston. • A plan to invade Canada was approved. • Sent the Olive Branch Petition to the King to intercede and protect colonial rights. George Washington of Virginia accepts the appointment as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

5. PHASE 1: New England The Siege of Boston: • Men under Knox’s command transport captured British cannons from Ft. Ticonderoga to Boston during the winter of 1775-76. • In March 1775, Washington positions the cannons on Dorchester Heights to attack Boston. • The British evacuate Boston later that month. Henry Knox of Boston

6. PHASE 1: New England After capturing Montreal, Montgomery is killed at Quebec. After extreme hardship/suffering, Arnold arrives at Quebec, where his weakened command participates in a failed assault on the city. Goals for the Invasion of Canada: Possibly draw off British troops from the colonies. Possibly rallying the French inhabitants.

7. The Road to Independence • The British recruited and deployed Hessian soldiers. • British agents were inciting the Indians on the frontier to attack the Americans. • Virginia’s royal governor, Lord Dunmore, offered slaves their freedom in exchange for supporting the British. • The publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense Hessian Soldier

8. See Harper’s Lecture Notes On the Declaration of Independence

9. Problems Mobilizing for War Economic Challenges • How to finance the revolution? • Continental Congress had to power to tax. • Many colonies refused to financially support the war. • Robert Morris creates & manages the Bank of North America. • Foreign loans are key to American success in the war. Robert Morris, Revolutionary War Financier

10. Problems Mobilizing for War Military Challenges • Washington faces problem of the militia throughout the war. • Washington’s Continental Army struggles with recruitment and retention throughout the war. • In-fighting and political drama between Washington’s generals will be a constant struggle. • Democratic minded colonists made military discipline difficult. • Washington had virtually no naval support throughout the war.

11. American Society at War Who was a Loyalist? (Estimated ⅓ of population) Royal Officials, Anglican Church Officials, merchants whose businesses were dependent on Britain, some slaves, and many Indians. Who was a Patriot? (Estimated ⅓ of population) Aside from those opposed to British policies and seeking independence, colonists that were in debt to the British, colonists upset with the behavior and tactics of the British during the war, southerners that feared a slave rebellion. Who remained Neutral? (Estimated ⅓ of population) German immigrants, Quakers, and other groups not interested or unwilling to take up arms for either side. Many of these groups will indirectly support the Patriots.

12. PHASE 2: The Middle Colonies New York Campaign: • Washington fights a series of delaying actions as he withdraws across Long Island & Manhattan Island. • British occupy New York. (NYC=British HQ) • Washington avoids a direct confrontation with the British, but takes every opportunity to engage the British with asymmetrical warfare. British troops landing in New York, September 1776

13. Washington achieves small, but symbolic victories at Trenton & Princeton during the winter of 1776-77.

14. PHASE 2: The Middle Colonies British strategy to isolate New England: • General Burgoyne would attack south from Canada. • General Howe would drive north from NYC up the Hudson. • Combine forces and march into New England.

15. PHASE 2: The Middle ColoniesThe Battle of Saratoga British General John Burgoyne American General Horatio Gates

16. PHASE 2: The Middle ColoniesThe Battle of Saratoga • Instead of following the plan, Howe transports his army by sea to the Chesapeake Bay to attack Philadelphia. • Isolated and cut-off, Burgoyne’s army fights a series battles around Saratoga, NY. • Burgoyne surrenders to Gates. • Saratoga will serve as the turning point of the war. • In Feb 1778, the colonists sign the treaty of alliance with France. American General Benedict Arnold

17. PHASE 2: The Middle Colonies • Howe defeats Washington at the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown before occupying Philadelphia for the winter of 1777-78. • Washington and his army winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. • Prussian officer, Baron von Steuben is appointed by Washington to improve the training and drill of the army. British General William Howe

18. PHASE 3: The Southern Colonies The French alliance, growing sentiment against British policy in America, and an inability to destroy Washington’s army motivated British commanders to transition to a Southern strategy in an effort to augment their forces with what they believe to be is a large population of American loyalists. After a few early British victories, the strategy proved ultimately to be a failure when loyalist support failed to materialize and many would-be loyalists and neutrals were driven into the Patriot camp by the dishonorable and detestable British tactics and behavior.

19. PHASE 3: The Southern Colonies Characteristics: • Guerilla tactics • Brutal attacks & reprisals • British General Cornwallis retreats across North Carolina into Virginia, where he establishes a base at Yorktown. Banastre Tarleton The notorious British cavalry commander, Banastre Tarleton

20. PHASE 3: The Southern Colonies With support from both French ground and naval forces, Washington besieges Cornwallis at Yorktown. The siege lasts for 1 month before Cornwallis surrenders in Oct. 1781.

21. Peace Negotiations (1781-83) • Breaking with their French & Spanish Allies, the American delegation signs a separate peace with Britain in Nov. 1782. Key Provisions include: • American independence • Fishing rights • An agreement to settle • debts owed to the • British and Loyalists that • evacuated with the • British.

22. On December 4, 1783, the last British troops left New York. Nineteen days later Gen. Washington resigned his commission and returned to Mount Vernon. When King George III heard that Washington was going to do this he is reported to have said, “If he does this he will be the greatest man in the world.”