Chapter 8 – America Secedes Chapter 8 – America Secedes from the British Empirefrom the British Empire

Timeline of the American Timeline of the American RevolutionRevolution

I. April 1775 – I. April 1775 – Battles of Lexington Battles of Lexington & Concord& Concord

The “shot heard ‘round the world”The “shot heard ‘round the world”

Causes the colonies to raise a militia Causes the colonies to raise a militia consisting of about 20,000 “consisting of about 20,000 “minutemenminutemen””

*** April 1775 – July 1776 “The Curious *** April 1775 – July 1776 “The Curious War of Inconsistency”War of Inconsistency”

(- our words conflict with our actions)(- our words conflict with our actions)

II. May 1775 – II. May 1775 – The 2The 2ndnd Continental Continental Congress Convenes in PhiladelphiaCongress Convenes in Philadelphia

JohnJohn HancockHancock presided presidedAllAll 1313 colonies were represented. colonies were represented.Still Still nono realreal strong sentiment for independence strong sentiment for independence at this time.at this time.New appeals were drafted and sent to King New appeals were drafted and sent to King George III. (all were spurned)George III. (all were spurned)Measures were adopted to raise $$$ to build an Measures were adopted to raise $$$ to build an army and a navy.army and a navy.Perhaps the most important early action of the Perhaps the most important early action of the 22ndnd Cont. Congress was to appoint Cont. Congress was to appoint GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington as the head of the Continental Army as the head of the Continental Army

Colonial CurrencyColonial Currency

Why George Washington???Why George Washington???He was definitely He was definitely notnot a a military genius.military genius.

He was, however, an He was, however, an outstanding leader and outstanding leader and organizer who possessed organizer who possessed great moral character.great moral character.

Overall, his selection as Overall, his selection as commander of the commander of the Continental Army was Continental Army was largely a largely a politicalpolitical rather than rather than a military decision.a military decision.

– (He was from (He was from VirginiaVirginia and and notnot N.E.) N.E.)

III. June 1775 – III. June 1775 – The Battle of The Battle of Bunker HillBunker Hill

The British launch a frontal attack on the The British launch a frontal attack on the colonists who controlled colonists who controlled Breed’s HillBreed’s Hill overlooking the city of Boston.overlooking the city of Boston.

A very deadly battle for the British but the A very deadly battle for the British but the Colonials ran out of ammunition costing Colonials ran out of ammunition costing them a victory.them a victory.

IV. July 1775 – 2IV. July 1775 – 2ndnd Continental Continental Congress Adopts the “Congress Adopts the “Olive Branch Olive Branch

PetitionPetition””This professed American loyalty to the This professed American loyalty to the British Crown and literally begged King British Crown and literally begged King George to stop further hostilities against George to stop further hostilities against the colonies.the colonies.

King George rejected this, declared the King George rejected this, declared the colonies to be in rebellion, and began colonies to be in rebellion, and began hiring German hiring German HessiansHessians to fight on behalf to fight on behalf of Britain.of Britain.

V. October 1775 – V. October 1775 – Colonial Colonial Invasion of CanadaInvasion of Canada

This would add a vital “14This would add a vital “14thth colony”. colony”.

This was a 2-pronged invasion:This was a 2-pronged invasion:– Montgomery – MontrealMontgomery – Montreal– Arnold – QuebecArnold – Quebec

This contradicted the colonial claim of This contradicted the colonial claim of fighting a “defensive” war.fighting a “defensive” war.

A massive error in judgment.A massive error in judgment.

VI. January 1776 – VI. January 1776 – Paine Paine Publishes “Common Sense”Publishes “Common Sense”

Called for independence from Britain.Called for independence from Britain.

120,000 copies were distributed.120,000 copies were distributed.

Called for the creation of a Called for the creation of a republicrepublic. (A . (A government in which power is derived government in which power is derived from the consent of the people.)from the consent of the people.)

VII. March 1776 – VII. March 1776 – The British Are The British Are Forced to Leave BostonForced to Leave Boston

Their plan is to begin concentrating on the Their plan is to begin concentrating on the middle colonies. (especially New York)middle colonies. (especially New York)

VIII. VIII. The 2The 2ndnd Cont. Congress Adopts Cont. Congress Adopts The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence

It is more of an “explanation” rather than a It is more of an “explanation” rather than a “declaration.”“declaration.”Thomas Jefferson’s refinement of R.H. Lee’s Thomas Jefferson’s refinement of R.H. Lee’s earlier motion.earlier motion.Concept of “natural” rights (God-given)Concept of “natural” rights (God-given)Called the world’s greatest editorial.Called the world’s greatest editorial.An inspirational appeal to: 1) enlist other British An inspirational appeal to: 1) enlist other British colonies to join the revolt, 2) invite assistance colonies to join the revolt, 2) invite assistance from foreign countries (France), and 3) rally from foreign countries (France), and 3) rally resistance at home.resistance at home.It does help to secure some foreign aid.It does help to secure some foreign aid.

Patriots vs LoyalistsPatriots vs Loyalists

PatriotsPatriotsAlso called “Whigs”Also called “Whigs”Tend to be younger Tend to be younger adultsadultsGenerally lack wealth and Generally lack wealth and higher educationhigher educationMost numerous in N.E. Most numerous in N.E. and along the frontierand along the frontierCongregational ChurchesCongregational ChurchesAbout 10% of colonistsAbout 10% of colonists

LoyalistsLoyalistsAlso called “Tories”Also called “Tories”ConservativesConservativesMostly “older” generation Mostly “older” generation citizens who have wealth citizens who have wealth and an educationand an educationMost lived where Most lived where Anglican Church was Anglican Church was strongest. ( South, NYC, strongest. ( South, NYC, Charleston, Quaker PA & Charleston, Quaker PA & NJNJ20 % of colonists20 % of colonistsThe “Loyalist Exodus”The “Loyalist Exodus”

IX. IX. The Summer & Fall of 1776: The Summer & Fall of 1776: The Battle of Long IslandThe Battle of Long Island

British – 35,000 troops (General Howe)British – 35,000 troops (General Howe)

Colonials – 18,000 troops (Gen. Washington)Colonials – 18,000 troops (Gen. Washington)

Colonists were routed. Washington Colonists were routed. Washington waswas ableable to escape to Manhattan Island & retreated to escape to Manhattan Island & retreated north across the Hudson River to NJ and north across the Hudson River to NJ and finally reached the Delaware River.finally reached the Delaware River.

X. December 26X. December 26thth, 1776 – , 1776 – The The Battle of TrentonBattle of Trenton

Washington re-crossed the Delaware Washington re-crossed the Delaware RiverRiver

Surprise attack captures 1,000 “Hung-Surprise attack captures 1,000 “Hung-over” Hessiansover” Hessians

**** **** 11stst significant colonial victory of the significant colonial victory of the warwar..

One week later, a second key victory was One week later, a second key victory was gained at Princeton.gained at Princeton.

XI. Early 1777 – XI. Early 1777 – Burgoyne’s Burgoyne’s Invasion of the Hudson River ValleyInvasion of the Hudson River Valley

British plan to capture the Hudson River British plan to capture the Hudson River Valley & pinch N.E. off from the rest of the Valley & pinch N.E. off from the rest of the colonies.colonies.

Instead of invading from the south, Instead of invading from the south, General Howe instead decides to move General Howe instead decides to move south and attack Philadelphiasouth and attack Philadelphia

XII. Late 1777 – XII. Late 1777 – The Battles of The Battles of Brandywine & GermantownBrandywine & Germantown

A pair of British victories that give them A pair of British victories that give them control of Philadelphia.control of Philadelphia.

Washington and his men fall back to Washington and his men fall back to nearby Valley Forge to camp for the nearby Valley Forge to camp for the winter.winter.

XIII. October 1777 – XIII. October 1777 – Battle of Battle of SaratogaSaratoga

Gen. Burgoyne was trapped and forced to Gen. Burgoyne was trapped and forced to surrender to General Gates on 10/17/1777surrender to General Gates on 10/17/1777

The The TurningTurning PointPoint of the American Revolution. of the American Revolution.

The victory secured much needed foreign aid The victory secured much needed foreign aid from France. (90% of the colonial gunpowder from France. (90% of the colonial gunpowder used in the war was from France)used in the war was from France)

After Saratoga, the British Parliament offered the After Saratoga, the British Parliament offered the colonies a plan for “home rule”. (It stopped short colonies a plan for “home rule”. (It stopped short of giving the colonies full independence.)of giving the colonies full independence.)

XIV. Winter 1777-1778 XIV. Winter 1777-1778 (Valley Forge)(Valley Forge)

20 miles northwest of Philadelphia20 miles northwest of Philadelphia

A winter of frostbite and starvationA winter of frostbite and starvation

Much credit due to Prussian drill instructor Much credit due to Prussian drill instructor Baron von SteubenBaron von Steuben

XV. Early 1778 – XV. Early 1778 – The Franco-The Franco-American AllianceAmerican Alliance

America’s America’s 11stst “entangling” political alliance “entangling” political allianceFrance and the colonies agreed to wage war France and the colonies agreed to wage war until the colonists had won their freedom and until the colonists had won their freedom and until both had agreed to peace terms with until both had agreed to peace terms with Britain.Britain.– This alliance bound the colonists to a traditional This alliance bound the colonists to a traditional

enemy that was also a Roman Catholic power.enemy that was also a Roman Catholic power.– ““When your house is on fire, you tend to not be When your house is on fire, you tend to not be

concerned with the background of those who help concerned with the background of those who help carry the water buckets.”carry the water buckets.”

From this point on, France provided ½ of the From this point on, France provided ½ of the total troops & practically all of the navy.total troops & practically all of the navy.

XVI. June 1778 – XVI. June 1778 – The British The British evacuate Philadelphiaevacuate Philadelphia to to

concentrate their strength in NYC.concentrate their strength in NYC.

They make this decision to avoid having to They make this decision to avoid having to defend against an attack by the French navy on defend against an attack by the French navy on the Philadelphia port.the Philadelphia port.

Battle of Monmouth (New Jersey)Battle of Monmouth (New Jersey)

Britain soon conceives a plan to roll up the Britain soon conceives a plan to roll up the colonies from south to north. (Phase 3 of the colonies from south to north. (Phase 3 of the war) This is where Gen. Nathanael Greene, “the war) This is where Gen. Nathanael Greene, “the Fighting Quaker”, gained his fame.Fighting Quaker”, gained his fame.

XVII. - Summer 1780XVII. - Summer 1780

American morale is boosted with the American morale is boosted with the arrival of 6,000 powerful, and well-trained arrival of 6,000 powerful, and well-trained French troops.French troops.

American morale took a hit when one of its American morale took a hit when one of its best generals, best generals, Benedict ArnoldBenedict Arnold, turned , turned traitor. (He plotted with the British to sell traitor. (He plotted with the British to sell out West Point!!!)out West Point!!!)

XVIII. 1781 – XVIII. 1781 – The Battle of The Battle of YorktownYorktown

As 1781 began, things looked bleak for As 1781 began, things looked bleak for the Colonies.the Colonies.

1.1. Inflation was skyrocketingInflation was skyrocketing2.2. Government was nearly bankrupt (repaying Government was nearly bankrupt (repaying

debts at a rate of 3 cents/dollar)debts at a rate of 3 cents/dollar)3.3. Unity was dissolving.Unity was dissolving.4.4. Mutiny was near!Mutiny was near!

*** Meanwhile, British General Cornwallis *** Meanwhile, British General Cornwallis was blundering into a trap!!!!was blundering into a trap!!!!

Battle of YorktownBattle of Yorktown: cont.: cont.

Completely trapped on the Yorktown Completely trapped on the Yorktown Peninsula, Cornwallis surrendered his Peninsula, Cornwallis surrendered his army on Oct. 19, 1781.army on Oct. 19, 1781.

Fighting actually continued elsewhere in Fighting actually continued elsewhere in the colonies for more than a year after the colonies for more than a year after Yorktown.Yorktown.

XIX. 1783 – XIX. 1783 – The Treaty of ParisThe Treaty of Paris

The 3 American Peace Negotiators:The 3 American Peace Negotiators:1.1. Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin2.2. John AdamsJohn Adams3.3. John JayJohn Jay

– The need “to play one against the other.”The need “to play one against the other.”Terms:Terms:

1.1. Britain formally recognized our independence.Britain formally recognized our independence.2.2. Boundaries were set stretching north to the Great Boundaries were set stretching north to the Great

Lakes, west to the Mississippi River, and south to Lakes, west to the Mississippi River, and south to Florida (Spanish).Florida (Spanish).

3.3. The Americans had to promise no further The Americans had to promise no further persecution of loyalists. persecution of loyalists.

Significance & LegacySignificance & Legacy

1.1. Americans gain valued territory.Americans gain valued territory.

2.2. America gained its America gained its FREEDOMFREEDOM!!!!!!!!

3.3. Britain was greatly fatigued and Britain was greatly fatigued and burdened with debt.burdened with debt.

4.4. France got revenge on Britain but was France got revenge on Britain but was soon to slide into a very violent revolution soon to slide into a very violent revolution of its own.of its own.