Chapter 7-4THE LEGACY OF THE

WAR

The Costs of WarDeaths – 25,700 Americans; 10,000 British

Missing – 1,400

Wounded – 8,200

Debts & LossesSoldiers have no money – government gave

land certificates – some sold these for foodAmerica in debt $27 millionLoyalists – lost their property – some moved

to CanadaBitter memories – civil war between Loyalists

& Patriots Benedict Arnold – Traitor – betrayed and

turned over American fort to the British

TREATY of PARIS – Sept. 3, 1783Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay –

wrote formal peace negotiations with British1. US was independent2. Boundaries – Canada to Mississippi to Florida3. US ok to fish off NewFoundland, Canada4. Each side repay debts owed each other5. British return enslaved persons they captured6. Return property seized from Loyalists

Neither side fully lived up to terms of treaty

BOUNDARY DISPUTES

Spain control large area of America – both banks of Mississippi – threatened American shipping

British – not give up Detroit

Native American’s land west of Mississippi now threatened and nation moves westward

CREATING A NEW NATIONLIBERTY! - became the most important

legacy of the RevolutionMay 1776 – Continental Congress advised all

colonies to establish new governmentsMany state constitutions:

Freedom of pressFreedom of religionProhibit slaveryEstablish public schools

Articles of ConfederationNeed a national government – in addition to

state government

Continental Congress started in 1777, finished 1781

Gave limited powers to central government – Wage warSign treaties

Freedom & SlaveryConflict between liberty and slavery

Vermont outlawed slaveryPennsylvania passed law to free slavesElizabeth Freeman – sued for freedom and wonRichard Allen – started Free African Society &

African Methodist Episcopal Church

Thomas Jefferson – a slave owner – fears for America if slavery allowed to continue

Religious FreedomJames Madison & Thomas Jefferson – “SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE”

1777 Thomas Jefferson – Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom – people have natural right to freedom of opinion

Basis for U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights - guarantee for Religious Freedom

UNITING the STATESColonies had been quarrelsomeBut Rev War turned colonies into statesAmericans saw how important to work

together as a nation

CHALLENGE AHEAD…How to remain united as a nation of independent states!!