The American Revolution 1775-1783

Chapter 5

Second Continental Congress

met in Philadelphia three weeks after Lexington and Concord

every colony represented except Georgia

1. all agreed to support the war, but argued over purpose

one side argued for independence (John & Sam Adams, Richard Henry Lee)

Second Continental Congress (cont.)

Others argued for modest reforms and reconciliation with GB (J. Dickson of Pennsylvania)

most searched for a middle ground between both ends

Olive Branch Petition”(7/5/1775) and the “Declaration of the causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms” (7/6/1775)

At first, most Americans believed they were fighting not for independence but for a redress of grievances within the British Empire.

1. During the first year of fighting, they began to change their minds

costs of the war grew to be to high to justify original aims

Olive Branch Petition (cont.)

British recruited African Slaves, Indians and foreign mercenaries known as “Hessians”

British rejection of Olive Branch Petition & the “Prohibitory Act”

closed all colonies to overseas trade made no concession to American demands naval blockade

Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”

Became a best seller Addressed many of the

arguments used in support of staying connected or under the authority of Great Britain.

Created discussion throughout the colonies

Decision of Independence

1776 Actions of Continental Congress i. declared American ports open to

the ships of all nations except GB ii. entered into negotiations with

foreign powers iii. rec. to the colonies that they

create new government. independent of the British

iv. appointed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson

i. 33 year-old delegate from Virginia

ii. wrote most of the Declaration of Independence

iii. assistance from B. Franklin and J. Adams

iv. much of it came directly from popular propaganda of the time

Three Parts of the Declaration of Independence i. Part 1: J. Locke: governments formed to

protect the rights of life, liberty and property.... TJ changed last part to “pursuit of happiness”

ii. Part 2: listed alleged crimes of the king (aka grievances)

iii. Part 3: Conclusion: due to all of the previous points made; the colonists are now the United States of America and are free and independent of Britain.

Effects of the Declaration of Independence i. Concept of “all men are created equal” was

borrowed from George Mason and helped inspire later movements of liberation within the US

ii. French Revolution iii. led to increased foreign aid that would prove

vital iv. inspired Patriots to reject the idea of a peace

that stopped short of winning independence v. created deep divisions within American

society vi. colonies begin to call themselves states

Articles of Confederation

Adopted by CC in 1777, but not finally ratified until 1781

did little more than confirm the weak state system already in place

CC power over individual states limited did not make it clear that CC was to be a real

government New Nation had to fight a war for survival with

a weak and uncertain government

The War: Preparation Challenges

raising and organizing armies providing them with supplies and equipment paying for it

George Washington

Nominated to command 1775

Had to deal with short rations

Underpaid soldiers mutinies attempted coup at

Valley Forge received help from

Marquis de Lafayette (French) and Baron von Steuben (Prussia)

Phases of Warfare: New England 1775-1776 Bunker Hill British leave Boston Quebec (Canadians denied alliance)

Phases of Warfare: Mid-Atlantic Region 1776-1778 British best chance to win 32,000 British vs. 19,000 Americans Original Strategy was to pinch in from north

and south... Howe abandoned that and decided to attack Philadelphia directly (interesting theories about why Howe did this)

Northern Regiment lead by Burgoyne gets surrounded and surrenders at Saratoga

Victory in North lead to alliance with French

Phases of Warfare: The South After French commitment, GB imposed new limits to its level

of commitment in the war British faced problems underestimated patriot sentiment in the south loyalists refused to help because they feared patriot response patriots could blend with population new kind of combat British were able to win battles in major cities, but were

troubled in countryside Cornwallis stages several successful battles, but has his

forces depleted. He is ordered to wait for new supplies in Yorktown.

Ambushed in Yorktown, forced to surrender Oct. 17, 1781 BUT British still held onto major cities: Savannah, Charleston,

Wilmington and New York...

Peace of Paris

Cornwallis’s defeat at Yorktown shifted popular opinion in England against the war...

Treaty of Paris Sept. 3, 1783 granted clear-cut recognition of its

independence

Social Impact of the American Revolution

Loyalists

1/5 (maybe 1/3) of white population some office holders some merchants (most merchants sided

with Revolution) non-city inhabitants 100,000 fled country: England & Canada wealthy landowners leaving = change in

social dynamic

Religions A. Anglicans

financed by England by end of war, many perishes had no clergy

B. Quakers pacifists, thus criticized limited political prestige

C. Catholics strengthened due to support for Patriots French alliance brings chaplains with troops Vatican provided the US with it’s own catholic hierarchy

D. Church and State most states moved quickly in the direction of religious

freedom “Statute of Religious Freedom” Thomas Jefferson

Native Americans

“To most Indians, the revolution threatened to replace a ruling group in which they had developed at least some measure of trust (the British) with one they considered generally hostile to them (the Patriots).” Brinkley p. 170

Revolutionary Era Women

A. Departure of men to fight left women in charge of farms and businesses

some success some dislocation

B. Rebellion C. On the Front Line

many women driven from homes served as auxiliary, cooks, laundry, nurses,

morale = VALUABLE gender roles transcended war called to question the traditional roles of

women

Slavery A. During Revolution

British army wished to liberate slaves to disrupt Patriot cause emancipated and led thousands of slaves out of the country exposure to liberty whites in S.C. and Georgia were hesitant to join in fear of slave

rebellion Georgia, slaves were half of population SC, slaves were a majority

B. During Legislation New England and Penn. abolished it Virginia passed a law encouraging manumission (freeing of slaves) But slavery survives

assumptions about the natural inferiority of Africans enormous economic investments of white southerners

Daniel Shays

Early Financial Woes consumer indebtedness postwar depression inadequate money supply biggest failure of Continental Congress

Soldiers Government owed backpay to soldiers power of taxation limited Fed. only received 1/6 of the money requisitioned from

the states Government defaulted on obligations

Shay’s Rebellion

Absence of Central Government domestic debt fell on

states hands and thus state taxes

state creditors, i.e. bondholders this was good policy

poor farmers, burdened by debt, considered taxes unfair and tyrannical

many lost property and went to jail

Daniel Shays and Job Shatuck, leaders of the Mass. Rebellion, aka Shay’s Rebellion

Daniel Shay’s and his army of farmers protesting the unfair taxation, sitting in front of a court house in Mass. Before heading to the federal arsenal, with 1,200 men, later defeated by Washington and his force of 15,000

Shay’s Rebellion

Soldiers plight no paycheck from war to pay off debts no currency to assist them in the matter

Rebellion Daniel Shays, former army captain summer of 1787 set out to Boston to confront wealthy merchants took out loan to finance

counter army Shays army scattered in hillside amidst a

snowstorm

Shay’s Rebellion

Effects military disaster (not successful) Shays was first sentenced to death, but later

pardoned and given tax relief

Demonstrated need for strong, central government