#1 of 3.6 Formal Break with Britain - EQ: Why were the Americans successful in defeating the British?

1774-1776 - A Rise in Military Resistance →

Lord Dunmore's War

1774 Pennsylvania and Virginia claimed the land of Kentucky

• Penn. organized county government, established courts, and collected taxes

• Virg. appointed Earl of Dunmore post

  • he led 2,400 men against the Ohio Shawnees BUT LOST

Continental Congress

1774

Delegates from every colony except Georgia agreed that colonies needed to resist further violations of their liberty

Battle of Lexington and Concord

1st battle of the American Revolution that was fought in Massachusetts on April 19, 1775

Olive Branch Petition

• 1775 peace offering statement by the Continental Congress

• Reasserted colonial loyalty to King George III and asked him to intervene with Parliament on the colonies behalf

• King refused and never responded

“Common Sense”

made by Thomas Paine January 10, 1776

• Argued for a republican form of government - emphasis on equality

• Frowned upon hereditary passing of power

  
  

  ***People realized that the only way foward was independent Americans****

Enlightenment

John Lock - created Two Treaties on Government

• Government only exists because of the people

• Humans had natural rights

• Path of liberty is self-rule

Jacques Rousseau - Social Contract

• People agree to willingly give up some of their power

• Government agrees to protect the people’s natural rights

Montesquieu

• inspired colonial leaders to believe that a republican government was the best to preserve people’s libtery

  • Executive, legislative, and judicial → Checks and Balances

The Declaration of Independence

1776 July 2, formal announcement of sovereignty

• Second Continental Congress - assembly of delegates from the 13 colonies that passed this

  • however it did not settle the issue

Battle of Saratoga

1777

• Franklin was able to finally persuade French to ally with them, as this battle showed that Americans were capable

  • surprised attack on Christmas Eve

Battle of Yorktown

1781

• Supported by France, Washington and the Continental army forced surrender to Britain

American Revolution

Key takeaways:

• Washington had a defensive strategy. Britain aimed to isolate New England.

• Paper money caused inflation. Those using the money paid an invisible “tax” to finance the US war effort.

• Guerrilla tactics used by the Americans (recapture Carolinas this way)

• Cornwallis isolated at Yorktown (1781). Washington secretly moved troops from RI to Virginia. Alliance with France meant French sea power isolated them from sea.