The American Revolution

Why did it happen, what happened, and was it revolutionary?

Dec. 25, 1776“Washington crossing the Delaware”Artist:EmanuelLeutze

Reviewing the Causes

Long range causes:

--Protestantism

--reasons for immigration

--salutary neglect

--the printing press

--the Enlightenment

--the Great Awakening Practicing democracy-a Quaker meeting

Technology spreads ideas. Ideas inspire action.

Reviewing the CausesShort range causes

1763 turning point-end of salutary neglect

Control colonial movement—Proclamation Line

Parliamentary Acts to intensify mercantilism

Colonial anger against these acts—attitudes had changed!

Colonials insist on self-rule through their own legislatures

Crown insists that Parliament has the right to govern the colonies directly

Cultural misunderstandings as a result of distance and policies

Agreeing on a point of no return July 4, 1776-”our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor” - Author—Thomas Jefferson—doesn’t claim originality Influenced by Enlightenment—John Locke

John Locke—equality and social contract Social contract theory of government Destructive government should be ended List of grievances—exaggerated claims in some instances Helps the colonists define their purpose If the revolution fails…

Breaking away: American Secession

Second Continental Congress (1775) put Washington in charge of the Military

After Bunker Hill the King hired Hessians Later—Americans get help from the French

and other European advisers Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense Second Continental Congress declared

independence

Outside helpHessian troops Pulaski, from Poland

Comparing the Sides: BritishStrengths Weaknesses

Population Monetary wealth Navy Army

– 50,000 British

– 30,000 Hessians

– 30,000 Loyalists

Unrest in Ireland British gov’t inept Lack of desire Military difficulties

– leadership

– treatment of soldiers

– poor provisions

– need for clear victory

Comparing the Sides: AmericanStrengths Weaknesses

Leadership– Military--Washington

– Diplomatic--Franklin

Defensive fighting Agriculture Moral advantage

Organization Mixed support 1/3 Loyalists Continental Congress was

ineffective No written gov’t Economic problems

– no access to currency

– scared of taxes

– inflation Limited supplies Unreliable forces

Yorktown, 1781

Ending the War: The Treaty of Paris

Major provisions– Britain formally recognizes US independence– Boundaries set from Great Lakes on the North

to the Mississippi River on the West to Florida on the South

– No further persecution of loyalists and restitution for confiscated property “recommended” to states

Changing a Society..and a world

State constitutions adopt democratic freedoms—most guarantee separation of church and state

Property qualifications for voting a little lessened End of mercantilism and restrictions on migration Break up of Loyalist estates End of primogeniture Slavery continues, but will become an issue International effects: France, Latin America, Canada

Governing a new country: Articles of Confederation: Background

Drafted early in the Revolution Ratified near the end of the war Loose confederation of independent states

—more like the European Union today One state—one vote Important laws required 2/3 majority vote Amendments required unanimous vote

Governing a new country: what we did right Key departments were created

– Post office, Finance Economy was on its way to stability Treaty of Paris was signed States gave the central gov’t their western

lands Land Ordinance (1785) Northwest Ordinance (1787)

LAND ORDINANCE OF 1785

NORTHWEST ORDINANCE OF 1787

Governing a new country: Weaknesses of the Articles

Government could request not levy taxes Declare war but not raise an army Could not force states to pay pre-war debts

to British citizens Trade declines Problems with currency stability Shays’ Rebellion