The American Revolution 1774–1783

When was the first Continental Congress?

September 1774

What happend at the first Continental Congress?

56 delegates from all states except Georgia attended

• Suffolk resolves were endorsed - Declared the Coercive acts null and void

• Congress called for non-import, non-export and non-consumption of all British goods

• Continental associations to be set up to enforce resolutions until coercive acts were repealed

What was the deceleration of rights and grievances in 1774? (Part of First Continental Congress)

• Acknowledged an allegiance to the Crown, but denied colonies subject to Parliamentary authority

• Said the British could not enforce taxes without the colonists consent

• Proclaimed the right of colonial assemblies to raise the amount of troops

→ No legislative authority but helped to unify the colonies

What were the benefits of the Trade Boycotts imposed by the colonists on Britain?

Boosted local production

Most Americans gave up luxury items and returned to simple life→ Aristocrats changed to be in tune with ordinary Americans

What were the Committees of Safety in late 1774?

• Committees which were run by the old elite and new men

• They enforced the trade boycott, and some acted in place of local government (Royal governments broke down)

• They investigated, and punished those who broke the committee’s rules

• By 1775, 7000 colonists were involved in politics for the first time

What was the situation in Massachusetts in late 1774?

• UK authority broke completely, and the Loyalists were terrorised by mob action and forced to leave office

• Militia units began for war

• General Gage in Boston, called for extra troops from the UK (Lord Dartmouth ordered him to challenge the rebellion)

What was the situation in other colonies in early 1775? (What was set up)

• Most colonies expelled traditional authority and set up extra legal conventions to arm militias

• Rhode Island and New Hampshire seized cannons from UK forces

• New York was loyal to Britain

Only few colonies wanted independence, most looked for reconciliation

What was the British Response in 1774 to the situation in Boston and the other colonies?

Gage wrote to Lord North (PM) recommending a temporary suspension of the coercive acts, but neither North or the King had any intention of backing down

North’s military measures were lax, as they only sent 4,000 extra troops to Boston

When did Parliament pass a resolution which declared Massachusetts was in a state of rebellion against Britain, cutting most of New England off from Britain and the West Indies? (This was later extended to all the colonies in the same year)

1775

What happened at Lexington and Concord? (Who let the colonists know in advance)

• General Gage prepared secret expenditure to go to Concord and seize Colonist stockpiled military stores

• Paul Revere found out about the plan and rode ahead to let the Colonists know

• At Lexington, 700 British soldiers ran into 70 militia men (informed by Revere)

• Britain pushed through to Concord where they met a larger militia force, Britain failed to arrest the rebels nor get the stockpiled weapons

• British troops retreated whilst being chased by the colonists on the way back from Boston

What happend as the Second Continental Congress in May 1775?

65 delegates from all the colonies attended

• They took responsibility for the army around Boston and raised a Continental Army, they put a quota on each colony to raise 20,000 men

• George Washington was appointed as leader

What was the Olive Branch Petition and why did it fail and what was the British response? (part of the Second Continental Congress)

• Many were reluctant for Congress to take a national role, so in July 1775, the Olive Branch Petition was sent to the King, which begged King George not to take hostile measures so reconciliation could be worked out

• The King declined the appeal as he saw it as an illegal body waging a war against him

• The King ordered a proclamation that America was in a state of rebellion and should be suppressed (A blockade began on America)

What happened at the Battle of Bunker Hill May 1776?

• British general Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne arrived in Boston with thousands of reinforcements

• Gage had 6500 men

• In June, America wanted to occupy Bunker Hill which commanded Boston, but a rebel force of 1500 marched to Breed’s hill by mistake

• Howe launched an attack on the rebels managing to win (but lost 1000 men)

→ Britain did win, but suffered more losses, this boosted American morale

How could a British failure be seen when Howe had Boston surrounded but didn’t attack?

• Washington was eager to take Boston, but was discouraged by the fear of the town’s destruction

• Due to British fortifications and American shortages, the colonists troops suffered from fever in the Winter and their numbers fell to an amount which Britain could overpower them

• However, Howe did nothing, this gave the colonists enough time to gain numbers and consolidate elsewhere, whilst he was stuck at Boston

When Washington took control of the army in July 1775, what was the condition of the army and how did Washington resolve this?

• There was only 1500 poorly trained, equipped and undisciplined troops

• Army had less than 50 canons, few gunners

• Officers failed to inspect troops, provide food or check quarters

Washington trained the militia force into a professional army by setting up distinctive ranks, disciplinary sanctions etc.

Congress wanted to invade Canada, hoping the French would join the rebels and weaken Britain → 2 expeditions were set out to Montreal and Quebec.

How could an American failure be seen with the invasion of Canada in September- December 1775?

• Montgomery with 1200 men marched one way, whilst Benedict Arnold marched another way with the plan of both of them meeting in at Quebec to attack it

• Montgomery, during his expedition, was able to capture Montreal in November, but by the time he joined Arnold in December in Quebec, he had 700 hungry/ sick men and their military enlistment expiry was near the end of the year, forcing them to make an attack now

• The attack ended badly, in a battle against 1800 British troops → Montgomery was killed and so the Americans retreated

What was the War of the South in 1775? (How did Britain fail in the Carolinas)

• Dunmore, with 500 loyalists and aid of the navy launched an attack on a Virginia coastal town in November 1775 (He also issued a proclamation promising freedom to any slave who flees their rebel master and supports the British war effort)

• By Late 1775, Dunmore suggested an operation to end rebellion in the Carolinas and Georgia as the settlers already hated their elites so they were ready to support the British, but the Carolina loyalists acted too early and were fired upon at Moore’s Creek in 1776

• General Clinton sailed south from Boston in 1776 but found little loyalist support → he attempted to take Charleston, but failed

The Evacuation of Boston in early 1776 was seen as an American success.

Why is this? (Who found weapons at Ticonderoga)

• Washington could finally besiege Boston, with help from General Knox (who found artillery from Ticonderoga, which was transported by sledge, boat and wagon to Boston)

• 1700 rebels captured Dorchester heights, overlooking Boston and exploiting British weakness

• Howe’s army and 1000 loyalists evacuated Boston and sailed to Halifax in March 1776

Although only a few radical Americans talked of independence until early 1776 (most thought cutting economic, political and emotional ties with Britain was not in their best interest).

What were the reasons for the declaration of independence on July 2nd 1776?

• By early 1776, it was clear that reconciliation would not happen, King Geroge was bent on American subjection, several months of fighting (Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Canada and Boston evacuation) had weakened American-British ties

• Congress called for any colony without a government to create their own radical one, as order had to be maintained

How influential was Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”?

• It was a best seller, selling 12000 copies (Protestant ministers also read it aloud in New England)

• The Pamphlet argued against the monarchy and set up the mood for an independent colonial government

• Paine also argued that they needed foreign support (Spain, France) to win the war, which would be attainable without declaring independence

What were the problems with declaring independence?

It had to be unanimous- the delegates didn’t have the authority of all their colonies to vote for independence

A major push for the deceleration of independence was that foreign support would be available. How did America help push for this in 1775?

In November 1775, a secret committee of correspondence sent a diplomat to France to gain military support

In April Rhode Island went independent (before Congress) and in May, Virginia joined.

Which 5 colonies initially refused to declare independence?

• Pennsylvania

• Delaware

• New Jersey

• New York

• Maryland

A committee of 5 members set up drafting the declaration of independence, who presented this document to Congress in June?

Thomas Jefferson

On 2nd July 1776, how many colonies voted for independence, and why did this colony refuse (Declaration of independence was proclaimed on 4th July)

12/13 colonies voted for independence

Except New York, who abstained due to British military force present in the colony, they later voted in favour

To what extent was Britain to blame for US Independence?

• After 1763, Ministers had attempted to squeeze money from the colonies through taxes

• Britain had tried to force power over the colonies through the first Declaration Act

• After the Boston tea party, PM North stood firm expecting that a show of force would put Massachusetts in line → they had little forces to suppress the rebels

To what extent was Britain NOT to blame for US Independence?

• Britain did not know colonists would rebel against the nation which created their liberties

• Britain was demonised by the colonies without a good cause- said to be reducing the colonies to states of slavery, but they never wanted to diminish American liberties

• Parliament was the empires’ supreme governing body, if it was sovereign it had to tax, as otherwise it would give up its supremacy

• Britain’s determination to maintain the colonies was understandable due to their economic opportunities

What were the strengths of the British army? (5)

• They had the support of 500,000 loyalists and Native Americans

• They had a 50,000 strong army and hired 18,000 Hessian troops

• Royal Navy had 300 ships → naval supremacy

• Germaine (Secretary) organised an effective war effort

• They had bases close to America (Canada, Nova Scotia, West Indies)

What were the weaknesses of the British army? (4)

• They were fighting a war 3000 miles away, (supplies took 2-3 months to arrive)

• The terrain was unfamiliar to the troops, made co-ordination between land and sea difficult

• Hessian troops were barbaric, gained a reputation of violence → turned neutral colonists against Britain

• British martial laws of seizing supplies alieniated friendly Americans

What were the strengths of the American army? (3)

• They were committed to a patriotic cause

• The Continental army was small, but the Militia sizes were large (over 100,000 Americans served throughout)

• Congress and States commissioned about 200 privateers which inflicted damage on British merchant ships

What were the weaknesses of the American army? (6)

• Lack of unity

• Had to build an army from scratch (never exceeded 20,000 men, hardly had 5,000)

• Military terms were too short to make an impact

• America had no navy (50 vessels only), most were only merchant ships

• Lacked effective government → Articles of confederation gave limited central powers

• Congress couldn’t levy taxes for war, only paper money (inflation)

What were the British’s seaboard strategy but why did it fail?

Britain intended to seize coastal towns and their ports, as they would be able to blockade the colonies with the strength of their navy → minimise inland fighting, but would decrease Loyalist support

Britain couldn’t seize the ports for long enough for it to make an impact

What was Washington’s mix of European warfare and Guerrilla warfare tactics and was it successful?

Strategic retreats and hit-and-run tactics, so the Continental Army stayed active while avoiding large-scale confrontations with the superior British forces → he minimised the risk of decisive defeat.

However, this strategy also limited Washington’s ability to fully capitalise on military victories and secure territorial control, forcing him to rely on foreign aid and diplomacy for a decisive victory.

Who were the Loyalists, and how many served in the British army?

It was said by John Adams that 1/3 of America were loyalists (another 1/3 were patriotic and another 1/3 were neutral)

By 1783, 19,000 were in the British military

→ Loyalists mostly came from Southern and middle colonies, mostly in New York and among slaves, but they still existed in all ranks of society

What were the problems of the Loyalists?

The varied background and motivations of the loyalists meant they could not have coherent opposition to the patriots

They relied upon Britain to give leadership and protection, they were vulnerable without them to Patriot wrath

What was the impact of General Howe on the Americans?

Howe was sympathetic to the Americans, and he didn’t fight with as much determination as he could of which would have won Britain the war

By 1776, he commanded 32,000 men (largest oversea expedition)

After withdrawing from Halifax in 1776, what was Howe’s plan to defeat Washington?

He planned an assault on New York → His army landed on Staten Island in July 1776 to lure out Washington and defeat his army to then negotiate peace

What happened at the Battle of New York/ Long Island in August 1776?

• The British, under Howe, defeated the Continental Army led by George Washington at the Battle of Long Island. The British forces had 32,000 troops, while Washington had 20,000 soldiers.

• Despite being outnumbered and outflanked, Washington managed a successful nighttime retreat across the East River, saving his army from complete destruction. Around 10,000 of his troops were safely evacuated to Manhattan.

• The defeat forced Washington to abandon New York City, the British captured Fort Washington and took 3,000 American prisoners and many weapons

What happened at Trenton and Princeton? (Washington Success)

• Instead of marching on Philadelphia (for his taking), Howe went into winter quarters, throwing away an opportunity to destroy American morale

• Washington regrouped with the help of militias, they crossed the Delaware River with 1600 men on December 25th

• It was a surprise attack on a group at Trenton, where Washington captured 1000 men, and followed a similar attack on Princeton in January 1777

→ Increased American morale

Why did Washington adopt a more Guerrilla tactic style of warfare after 1777?

He accepted that he couldn’t win a war by risking his entire army against Britain as they were not on equal footings

What happend at Valley Forge which was seen as a problem for Washington?

Washington’s army of 14,000 were forced into huts through a terrible winter→ soldiers hardly had clothing and provisions

There was no clean water, small pox was among the soldiers

→ Washington told troops to inoculate themselves

How did Howe capture Philadelphia in 1777?

• Howe moved 15,000 troops to Philadelphia in July

• In September, he defeated Washington at Brandy Wine Creek, where Washington lost double the amount of casualties than Britain

• However, Howe did allow Washington to retreat, losing a chance to destroy him

Why did the capture of Philadelphia end up having no strategical advantage?

Congress just moved to Lancaster, so the rebellion still continued

Why was the Battle of Saratoga in September 1777 a turning point in the war?

• American forces, led by Gates (and support of Benedict Arnold) defeated a British army under General Burgoyne. The 6,000 British forces were forced to surrender after losing a battle at Freemans Farm → marking a major victory for the Continental Army.

• This victory convinced France to openly support the American cause, also got Spain involved

• The defeat weakened British strategy in America, as their focus on controlling the northern colonies shifted more toward the southern states

Clinton was pushing north from New York to Saratoga, which gave General Burgoyne hope in defeating the Americans. Why did this fail?

General Clinton left late as he was capturing forts in New York, but this meant he failed to meet Burgoyne’s forces, leaving him to surrender to the Americans

In terms of French Intervention into the war, why did they wait until after Saratoga to join? (4)

• France was a Catholic and absolutist system of government

• The King Louis XVI did not support rebellions

• The French treasury stated they wanted to avoid war at all costs

• They were waiting for naval preparations

In terms of French Intervention into the war, why did they join after Saratoga? (4)

• They had an opportunity to take revenge on the British after the Seven Years War defeat

• Congress sent Benjamin Franklin to Paris in 1776 and he won French admiration

• Saratoga ended fear of US collapse

• Signed a commercial and defensive alliance, which said they would wage war against Britain until American independence

Why did Spain join the war of independence?

They joined as an ally as France

→ Also wanted to regain lands they lost to Britain such as Florida

When did Britain declare war on Netherlands for aiding France and Spain?

1780

What were the consequences for Britain when France joined the war? (At home, not in America)

• US became a side show fro Britain as they focused on France who had an army of 150,000 and a constructed fleet → Prevented Britain from putting all military resources in America

• Fear of French invasion

What percentage of the British army was in America in 1778 and then in 1780 (after France joined)?

65% → 29%

What were Washington’s problems by 1778 in the military and how were these resolved?

Congress started to fear Washington’s lack of abilities compared to General Gates

However, in 1778, the army increased to 12,000 men and was re-equipped

Who helped Washington train the military? (Prussian soldier who later got promoted to a major general)

Von Steuben

→ He was able to teach the soldiers how to teach other soldiers to improve efficiency

What were the American Problems in 1779-81? (Why did the Continental Army decrease and who betrayed the Americans)

Troops started to desert or start to re-enlist which prevented Washington from taking an offensive position, death from Valley forge also contributed to this → Army reduced from 12,000 to 8,000

Benedict Arnold betrayed the Americans and was now fighting for the British

In 1780, A french army of 6,000 arrived at Rhode Island, but achieved little (French fleet remained in Caribbean)

What happened in the war in the West (1778-79) and why did this lead to a decrease in Loyalists?

There was a conflict between white settlers and Native Americans

30,000 Natives fought alongside Britain, wanting to drive back American settlers, Britain hoped the Native force would send American reinforcements west, however they were unreliable and their savage attacks turned loyalists and neutrals against Britain

Who did Washington appoint as the main commander in the South in 1780?

General Nathaniel Greene

In terms of the Southern Phase 1778-81, What were the 3 main battles?

Savannah, Charleston and the Carolinas

Outline what happened in the capture of Savannah, Georgia in 1778 and why was this good for Britain?

• General Clinton with 3000 men captured Savannah, taking 500 American prisoners

• The commander prohibited ill treatment of Georgians, who flocked to loyalist militia

Outline what happened in the capture of Charleston and Battle of Camden and why was this good for Britain?

• General Cornwallis with 7600 men besieged Charleston forcing an American surrender and took 5000 prisoners and hundreds of artillery (Worst American loss in the whole war)

• British forces then moved into South Carolina where the warfare was more savage as 350 troops died (Battle of Camden)

• Most of South Carolina took an oath to the King

  → Clinton headed back to New York

What happened at the battles South and North Carolina (King’s mountain) and why was this only partially good for the British?

• Gates led an army of 3,000 troops into South Carolina but was defeated

• Cornwallis began to invade North Carolina in 1780 and was harassed by militia forces and South Carolina rose up against him

• In October, 1000 loyalists were killed by patriots, so Cornwallis returned South

• Conflicts still occurred between Loyalists and Patriots

How did Cornwallis end up in Yorktown in 1780, and what was his intention, who was able to stop the British’s plan to an extent?

• Cornwallis headed North to Virginia arriving in May, he had 8000 men

• Cornwallis failed to destroy an American detachment led by French Lafayette, so Cornwallis moved to the sea, wanting a naval base in Yorktown (could be supplied by the royal navy)

• → However a French Fleet led by Admiral Grasse blocked the route, and the British didn’t send enough support

Why was York Town (April 1780- May 1781) a great triumph for the Americans? (French- American joint attack)

• In May 1781, Washington learned that Grasse’s fleet was on the way, so he wanted French and American forces to join and attack New York, however Rochambeau, (a french officer) suggested targeting Cornwallis in Yorktown

• The combined army was 16,000 and reached Cornwallis by September 1881

• The late British fleet from Clinton let the French take control of Chesapeake Bay

• This delay in supplies led to the British defeat and surrender of General Cornwallis (8000 men surrounded)

Although the defeat of Yorktown did not mean Britain would have lost the war (they had 30,000 troops at Savannah and New York), the British wanted to end British operations in America as the defeat was a shock for Britain.

How did Peace talks begin?

• PM Lord North wanted peace, so John Jay and John Adams entered talks with Britain

• America was suspicious of British motives but also sceptical of French supporting Spanish claims to the Trans-Appalachian regions America wanted

What was the official name of the British and American treaty and what were its terms?

Treaty of Paris 1783 (signed by Spain, France, America, Netherlands and Britain)

• Britain recognised American independence and agreed to extend their boundaries west to the Mississippi river

• US agreed that British merchant ships should be met with no confrontation when seeking to recover their pre-war debts

• Congress told states to restore Loyalist property

Name 4 reasons for British failure in the War of Independence?

• British leadership- overestimated loyalist support

• Generals’ mistakes - e.g. poor communication with Burgoyne and Clinton at Saratoga

• Employing Hessian troops → alienated US, weren’t committed to war (5000 deserted)

• Lack of British diplomacy to prevent foreign intervention

Name 5 reasons for American success in the War of Independence?

• Washington Leadership → kept improving the army despite difficulties

• American Morale →Trenton and Princeton increased morale, so did Saratoga

• Militia- served more useful than continental army at some points

• US Diplomacy - Franklin got European aid

• Army- 200,000 served in the Continental army at different times