Four Separate Wars for Independence

From Albion’s Seed by David Hackett Fischer.

1. Popular insurrection in New England (1775-1776)

2. Prolonged conflict in the Middle States and the South (1776-1781)

3. The war within the war in the backcountry (1779-1781)4. The non-violent diplomatic and economic

struggle (1781-1783)

1. New England Uprising British Army vs.

Yankee Militia Sought to defend

their established ways

Paul Revere Lexington and

Concord Bunker Hill Fort Ticonderoga

High Casualties demonstrate fierce fighting in New England

Lexington and Concord British lost 30% of the force of 700. Minutemen lost 93

Bunker Hill1000 dead or wounded 47% of the British force”Don’t fire ‘til you see the whites of their

eyes!” --Israel Putnam or William Prescott

Loyalists British officials,

Wealthy merchants and large landholders

Anglican ministers, blacks and Indians

Criticized British Actions--preferred peaceful protests

Feared violence would lead to mob rule

Dutch, German and Quakers New York, New Jersey, Georgia Carolinas: Backwoods farmers were

loyalists, Coastal planters were patriot

20% of the population

Patriots Merchants, lawyers, southern planters, middle-

class Most were highly educated and wealthy Supported by lower class Believed in self-rule and free trade

Presbyterians, Congregationalists (Puritans)

Scots-Irish who opposed the Crown

New England and Virginia

40% of the population

2. Conflict in the Middle States and Coastal South

Professional Army of Regulars and mercenaries commanded by British Gentry

vs.Professional

American Army led by a member of the Virginia Gentry

400,000 served in Continental Army yet never more than 20,000 at one time

25,000 dead, 1% of the population, today that would be 3 million people

Sequence of the WarNew York 1776PA, NJ and New

York 1777-80South 1779-1781

Key Battles and Events Trenton and

Princeton Valley Forge Saratoga French Alliance War in the South Yorktown

3. War in the Backcountry Backcountry

Colonists against American loyalists and British regulars.

Savage struggle Family feuding and

atrocities on both sides

“The American Revolution was, in fact, our nation’s First Civil War.”

What portions of the American Revolution supports the statement?

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

4. Diplomatic and Economic War

Non-violent economic and diplomatic struggle

Led by the elites of the Delaware ValleyB.F. and Robert

Morris In the early part of the

War emphasis was to garner support

Why would this have been a hard “sell?”

Treaty Of Paris Spain, Fr, G.B. and the

US G.B. recognized 13

colonies as free, sovereign and independent states

US border extends to Mississippi River

All debts to be repaid Loyalists receive

restitution for land lost End persecution of

Loyalists

How did the Colonists Win? What advantages did the British have

during the War? America won because of:

GeographyMoraleMilitary leadershipDiplomacy