7.4-7.17 APUSH American Pageant

Why did Americans still want to be loyal

Considered Britain as a leading role of the transatlantic community, and Britain was too strong to rebel against

Gradually drifted through harsh acts like burning of Falmouth and Norfolk + hiring of the Hessians

Thomas Paine

Began as an apprentice, became a protestor through his writings, influencing Thomas Jefferson through consent of the governed

Criticized the king “Royal brute”

Common Sense

Written by Thomas Paine, became a best-seller due to its easy language and its radical claims of a need for independence, (how can a small body rule a huge one?).

How impactful was Paine’s protest

Not only did it call for independence, but it called for a republic where power flowed through people instead of a leader (popular consent)

This government type has existed since ancient Greece/Rome, revived in England but didn’t mix well with its current government

Why was a republic favorable?

The colonists were tired of this tyrannic king, and they already had prior experience through town meetings in New England and even the committees of correspondence which proved how republics can work

Natural aristocracy

Some patriots wanted an end to hereditary aristocracy but not social hierarchy

These were more conservatives, feared too much liberty would cause instability

Gender hierachy

White males would shape the government, women confined to home, africans confined to plantations, and Indians to unsettled West

Revolutions raised question for who “we the people” were

Richard Henry Lee

From Virginia, proposed that United Colonies ought to be free and indepenent, motion adopted on July 2, 1776

What happened with this “declaration”

This was about to become an official holiday, but more was needed such as an explanation, and more advertisement to advocate for the cause (foreign aid, more colonies joining)

Declaration of Indepdence

Thomas Jefferson wrote a formal statement of separation, could’ve also been called the “Explanation” of Independence through his arguments of natural rights being violated (trial by jury, trade, taxation without consent)

What was the Declaration seen as by the people

Very contradictory and one sided, advocated for equality despite Jefferson had slaves

Had an immediate effect, foreign aid came to support while everyone were now rebels and had to stick together

What did Declaration of Independence influence

Had a universal impact for other revolutionary movements, including French Declaration of the Rights of Man

War for Independence

War within a war, Patriots and Loyalists fought while Americans fought Redcoats

Tories (loyalists) vs Whigs (patriots) fought in Britain too

Who fought in the Revolution

It was a minority movement, many were indifferent or neutral like the Byrd family

Many British were incompetent and fought for loyalty (ineffective) while rebels spread the patriot cause and harassed officials

Loyalists

Remained true to their king for their political rights and not live in a future of uncertainty

Many families split like the Franklin family

Who were loyalists?

Usually the older generation who were not young and energetic, also included king’s officer and beneficiaries who relied on King for benefits

Most numerous near Anglican church areas and supported king through trade (except Virginia)

Persecution of Loyalist

Pre-declaration, it was mild and only feathering or tarring

After Declaration the rebels roughly handled traitors through imprisoning and even hangings (around 80,000 driven out and their estates were sold for profit)

What else did Loyalists do for British cause

Served in the army or as spies/negotiators and compelled some soldiers to stay home and protect heir families

British did not use these loyalists to their potential

What did British focus on after Boston evacuation?

Focused on NY, a bustling seaport with Loyalists

Eventually used to surround and attack colonists with massive British fleet

Battle of Long Island

Panic spread within raw recruits due to menacing British fleet, Washington escaped to Manhattan and crossed Hudson River to NJ and finally reached Delaware River

Low morale due to NYC being in the hands of British officials

General Howe in Long Island

Did not speedily crush the Americans, remembered Bunker Hill and slowed it down

Did not like the campaign conditions (winter, scarce supplies, and rough) and had an affair with a wife of a subordinate, causing mockery

Trenton/Princeton

Washington crossed the Delaware River at Trenton to capture 1000 Hessians who were sleeping

Slipped away and inflicted sharp defeat on smaller British detachment at Princeton, causing rejoice

Hudson River Valley

Wanted to capture this to sever New England and paralyze Americans

General John Burgoyne pushed down Lake Champlain to meet up with Howe in New York and even St Leger from west Lake Ontario

Benedict Arnold against English forces

After repulse at Quebec, he retreated slowly along St Lawrence river back to Lake Champlain where he delayed advance of England 

British tried to construct sizable fleet, Arnold assembled and fitted every vessel, got destroyed but time (and even the battle) was won (British retreat)

Burgoyne invasion of Hudson River Valley

Began the following year, although very slowed by heavy baggage/people and slow path clearings

American militia began to gather around them

How did Howe contribute to this effort?

Instead of marching toward Burgoyne, he went for an attack on Philadelphia (wanted to clear Washington’s army and leave a path)

Assumed there was time to assist Burgoyne directly

Washington’s response to attacks

He went to Philadelphia but was defeated in two battles and eventually retired to Valley Forge, where he suffered until Baron von Steuben arrived

Howe settled in the lively capital and left Burgoyne to flounder

Battle of Saratoga

Burgoyne went to Albany and was swarmed by militiamen

Arnold shot but British were trapped and St Legers driven back, Burgoyne forced to surrender to Horatio Gates

What was the impact of the Saratoga battle?

High among decisive battles in history, revived colonial cause and made foreign aid from France possible

Why was France willing to fight for American cause?

They were thirsting for revenge and wanted to defeat Britain to regain former prestige

Americans badly needed help

American international ideas

Wanted to end colonialism and mercantilism, revive free trade and freedom of the seas

Wanted law to determine international affairs, not military warfare

Model Treaty

Guided American commissioners going to French Court, basic principles said (no political or military connection, only mutually helping but remaining independent)

American idealism

Strict, self-denying policies like military conflict abandoned for mutual commercial trade

Seen as utopian and unrealistic, established idealism

What did Benjamin Franklin do in Paris

Went to Paris to negotiate a treaty with France but having an appearance against diplomatic norms to herald a diplomatic revolution

French officials shocked but ordinary people loved this new democratic social order

What measure did the British pass after Saratoga?

Colonists had home rule within the empire, French shocked by this behavior and allied with Americans shortly after until they fully defeated the British

American Revolution was now a world war

Who joined as a result of the battle widening?

Spain and Holland entered against Britain, outnumbering Britain and leaving Britain helpless

Armed Neutrality: Other powers like Russia passively resisted British

How did Britain really win the war?

Although the Americans deserve credit, Britain surrendered because it became too big of a conflict to handle

French entrance into war

Had powerful fleets in American waters to protect their West Indies Islands and to challenge Britain’s blockade and lines of supply

British switched focus to NYC and had to change their old strategy in the water

Battle of Monmouth

Redcoats attacked on a blisteringly hot day, men died from sunstroke

British escaped to NY, Hessians deserted and Washington remained

Rochambeau

A powerful French army lead by Rochambeau arrived in Newport, Americans were suspicious due to minor bloodshed but the gold offered proved otherwise

No real military advantage but preparations made for attack on NY

What did Benedict Arnold do?

A leader who was brilliant but ambitious and greedy, was not feeling appreciated and plotted with British to sell out West Point stronghold for compensation

Hindered the morale of Americans and the plot was caught

How did the British plan to roll up on the colonies?

They planned to roll up on the colonies beginning with the South

Georgia overrun followed by Charleston, involving capture of many men and cannons

Carolina battles

American riflemen eventually wiped out British detachment at King’s Mountain and then a smaller one at Cowpens

Nathanael Greene frequently stood and retreated, exhausting Cornwallis and won many campaigns, clearing troops in George and South Carolina

Indians

Many desperately tried to protect their land

Oneidas and Tuscaroras sided with Americans and Seneca, Mohawks, Cayugas and Onondagas joined British

Joseph Brant

A convert to Anglicanism who believed Britain would restrain American expansion, ravaged backcountry Pennsylvania and NY

pro-British Iroquois forced to sign Treaty of Fort Stanwix, first treaty between US and Iroquois here Indians gave up most lands

Westward expansion

Despite wartime, people kept moving west to Kentucky such as Lexington Kentucky (after the battle) and Louisville (after Louis XVI)

George Rogers Clark

Seized vulnerable Illinois forts by surprise, floated down Ohio River with men to capture Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes

Admirers argued his success forced British to give up North of Ohio River

Privateers

Made more contributions than the navy, these captured numerous British prizes

Diverted manpower from war effort but took in gold, harassed enemy, and raised morale through immense victories, increased pressure for Parliament to end war on good terms

Dark period of the war

The country had immense inflation, was bankrupt and could not pay debts, unity withered and soldiers felt rebellious

Where was Cornwallis during this dark period?

He was blundering into a trap in Yorktown to await seaborn supplies

Assumed Britain would continue to control the sea, but was wrong

Rochambeau at Yorktown

French were prepared, Admiral Grasse had a powerful fleet in West Indies and was available for assault

Washington made a march to Chesapeake and cornered Cornwallis along with French fleet, causing Cornwallis to surrender

What did George III think?

Planned to continue the struggle, troops in US with Washington watching them

Fighting continued for more than a year (Patriot-Loyalist “No quarter for Tories), Washington kept states together and the cause alive

British aftermath

Many Britons were ready to come to terms, suffered heavy damage in India and West Indies + Minorca fell and Gibraltar about to collapse

Whig ministry takeover

Who came to settle for peace in Paris?

John Adam (New England interests), John Jay of New York and Ben Franklin

Came to consult with French allies, restricted by French Foreign Office desires

France’s position

In a painful position, induced Spain to enter and promised Gibraltar (despire unconquered)

Spain desired trans-Allegheny area, pioneers already settled

France’s wants after the war

Weakend Britain and desired an independent but weak United States to confite them to the east and control their interests

John Jay to French

Unwilling to play their game, perceived that French would betray them for Spain, had overtures to London to make peace

Treaty of Paris

Formally recognized the independence of USA and granted generous boundaries (to Mississippi in west, Great Lakes up North, and Florida down south)

Yankees were to retain fisheries in Newfoundland but Canadians displeased

What did Americans have to do?

They could not persecute loyalists and Loyalist property had to be restored, states had to pay debts to British creditors

What did Native Americans get?

Despite fighting on both sides, they were left out of negotiations and the end of British oversight changed their territory (Americans wanted their trans-Alleghenies area)

Why did Britain want to accept defeat?

Paid enormous dividends by rebuilding of army and navy to dominate as a world power

Wanted to seduce America from French alliance

Whig ministry

Despite being shaky and barely getting through, they were more friendly than the Tories towards Americans (healed past grievances, restored trade, and prevented conflicts over trans-Appalachian)

Successors did not follow

France peace

America made peace that approved with France’s Foreign Office, but France wasn’t pleased with its independent actions

Despite this, France was relieved to be free from Spain and economic troubles

Total outcome

America benefited the most (national journey with territories and freedom), while Britain was extremely weakened

France achieved revenge but financial problems and eventually revolution