American Revolution and French and Indian War

Who fought the French and Indian War

. Fought in America, Europe, West Indies, Phillipines, Africa, and the ocean. Brits sided with Prussia, with France, Spain, Austria, and Russia. Dutch neutral, but French-leaning.

Albany Congress

A meeting in 1754 aimed at fostering cooperation among the colonies and securing support from the Iroquois against French expansion.

General Edward Braddock

sent to Virginia w/ strong detachment of British regulars. Set out to capture Fort Duquesne. Didn’t like militia + attacked by small group of French and Natives. G Wash (aide-de-camp) survived bullet holes, Braddock mortally wounded. Major losses. PA to NC felt fury. G Wash fought back

Battle of Quebec and Plains of Abraham

James Wolfe chosen as officer and defeated French, under Montcalm, at Plains of Abraham by Quebec. Montreal falls after. Peace settlement, French thrown off North America. Britain emerges as lead naval power and dominant in North America. Boosted colonial self-esteem but Brit invincibility shattered. Friction between colonists and Brits; colonist not recognized above captain. Colonists traded with Spanish and French after defeat, Brits stopped imports. 

Pontiac’s Rebellion

was a 1763 Native American uprising led by Pontiac, an Ottawa tribe leader, against British control of the Great Lakes region after France lost the French and Indian War. Native Americans resisted British settlement and policies in their territory.

Republicanism

 took root in colonists. Society where citizens willingly subordinate their private, selfish interests to common good. Virtue of citizenry, selflessness and civic involvement. British politicals commentators, the radical Whigs, shaped American political thought by fearing threat to liberty posed by arbitrary power of monarch and his ministers in Parliament–corruption. Both things influenced colonists to be protective of their rights. Dukes/princes unknown, property ownership/political partic. Accessible.

Gearge Grenville and laws

 the British prime minister who attempted to reduce Britain’s war debt by raising revenue from the American colonies, strictly enforced Navigation Laws to raise Britain from debt from Seven Years’ War. He secured the Sugar Act, a British law that placed a tax on sugar and other goods and was intended to raise revenue from the colonies and stop smuggling. Quartering Acts also introduced, requiring colonists to provide food and quarters for troops. Grenville then imposes the stamp tax, to raise revenues to support new military force. Stamp Act mandated use of stamped paper or affixing of stamps, certifying payment of tax. Required on bills of sale, commercial and legal documents, playing cards, pamphlets, newspapers, diplomas, bills of lading, marriage licenses. Stamp act seen as worst. Grenville said this was fair pay from colonists for British defense. Colonists angry, trying to disobey.  Admiralty courts, where juries were not allowed, had these acts as trying offenders, jeopardizing rights. Guilty unless proven innocent. Redcoats turn on colonists rather than foreign offenders. No taxation without representation. Denied Parliament; Americans should tax Americans. Grenville says Americans are British, and it was virtual representation.

Stamp Act Congress

Assemblage made by Stamp Act Congress, meeting of nine colonies in New York that protested the Stamp Act. They argued that taxation without representation was a direct violation of their rights. Drew up a statement to the King and Parliament.

Nonimportation agreements

The adoption of nonimportation agreements was more effective, the colonists’ way of boycotting British goods. The colonists would agree to stop buying British goods as a means of protest against British taxes and policies. They put economic pressure on British merchants and united Americans for the first time in action. These were groups of colonists who organized resistance to British taxation, through tars and feathers. The Sons of Liberty used protests, boycotts, and sometimes intimidation to protest. The Daughters of Liberty supported resistance through boycotting British goods and producing homespun products. Stamp agents forced into resignation. Merchants, manufacturers, and shippers suffered. Stamp Acts repealed.

Declaratory Act

declared by Parliament and stated that Parliament had the authority to make laws for the colonies “in all cases whatsoever.” 

Charles Townshend and Acts

takes control of British ministry, persuading Parliament to pass the Townshend Act. The townshend duties of 1767 were taxes placed on imported goods such as glass, lead, paper, paint, and tea, the revenues to pay royal governors and judges in America–barely increases revenue. They renewed colonial resistance and led to another widespread boycott of British goods. Smugglers increase activity.

Commitees of Correspondance

Samuel Adams, cousin of John Adams, organized the local committees of correspondence in Massachusetts. The Committees of Correspondence were colonial communication networks. They allowed Patriots to share news and coordinate resistance against British policies. They helped unite the colonies against British rule. One was made in the Virginia House of Burgesses, and they developed into congresses.

Tea Act and Boston tea Party

British East India Company close to bankruptcy, allowed to sell much cheaper tea to Americans. The Tea Act. But Americans see this as a trick. Allowed tea to return or burned it. Thomas Hutchinson ordered for ships not to leave Boston until cargo is cleared. At the Boston Tea Party, a hundred Bostonians dressed as Natives, smashed open 342 chests of tea and dumped it into the Boston Harbor. Tea was the perfect symbol to rally colonists.  Not just in Boston.

Quebec Act

French were allowed their customs and institutions and Catholicness and the province of Quebec to the Ohio Valley, though it was still seen as another “intolerable act” despite only being beneficial. Angered people who didn’t like the land being gone and Anti-Catholics. 

First Continental Congress

Response to Intolerable Acts was the First Continental Congress, which would meet in Philly and consider ways of redressing colonial grievances. 12/13, Georgia missing, Sam Adams, John Adams, G Wash, and Patrick Henry present. Seven week long convention, John Adams persuaded to have 

Moderation. Declaration of Rights, appeals to other British American colonies, king, and other British.

Most significant action was creation of The Association, called for complete boycott of British goods; no importation, exportation, or consumption. No seeking for independence yet. 

George III and Lord North

collect militiamen from Britain and the loyalists from the colonies, Hessian mercenaries, and natives.Some troops had to stay back and watch Ireland. English Whig factions opposed Lord North’s Tories and cheered, and didn’t want George be tyrannical if winning. Bad provisions and strict generals, and operating away from home. Redcoats capture Bunker Hill, but Franklin says there were 400x more births in the time they killed 150 Patriots. 

Reasons for Rebellion in America vs other places

 British American colonists rebelled partly to protect rights and self-government they believed they already possessed, while in areas like Spanish America, the revolts were complicated by racial/social divisions, stronger Spanish control, and lack of powerful foreign allies. 

Lord Dunmore

proclaimed that any black slave who fought for the British would gain their freedom.  In 1 month, 300 had joined Lord Dunmore’s Ethiopian Regiment.  (Hee hee I learned all about this in Williamsburg when I went inside his house… and when I saw the trial… and when I met him).  THousands eventually followed.  When James Madison caught a slave trying to escape, he refused to punish him because he thought it would be hypocritical.  The british kept their word, relocating 14000 black loyalists to other countries.  

2nd Continental Congress

met in Philadelphia a month after Lexington and Concord on May 10th 1775.  All 13 of the colonies pulled up this time.  There was no well defined sentiment for independence.  They just knew that they wanted to keep fighting the British oppression.  Delegates tried to appeal to the crown but were denied, so they drafted ideas to raise money, build an army, and form a navy.  

Bunker Hill

Americans were being so weird, not deciding.  They were like “I love the king!  I love england!  Lets be friends!” while raising armies.  This went on from April 1775 to July of 1776.  Pace got faster when Americans captured British garrisons at Ticonderoga and Crown Point.  They got a lot of gunpowder.  In June of 75, Colonists seized Bunker Hill and threatened British in Boston.  British launched an attack with 3 thousand men.  Americans obliterated them.  The colonies ran out of ammo. 

Olive Branch Petition

- In July 1775, the Continental Congress adopted the Olive Branch Petition, which professed their loyalty to the king and begged to stop the fighting.  George III basically said we’re over and formally proclaimed colonies as rebels in August.  People would be hung.  Geogre III hired hessians to fight the next month.  The colonists were mad because they saw it as a ‘family’ issue not a massive war.  Hessians were good fighters but more interested in booty than duty.  Many deserted.  

Conquest of Canada

October 1775, British burned Falmouth Maine.  Rebels tried to invade Canada.  This proved they weren’t just being defensive, they were being offensive.  They lost.  One invading column under General Montgomery pushed up lake Champlain and captured montreal.  Benedict Arnold met with them at quebec and his men were in such bad shape that they had to eat dogs and shoes.  Montgomery was killed and the ‘dashing’ Arnold shot in the leg.  Quebec no work.

Norfolk

In January of 1776, British set fire to Virginia town of Norfolk.  In March, British had to evacuate Boston.  Colonists won 2 battles in the south, one at Moore’s Creek Bridge North Carolina against 1500 loyalists and one in June against invading british fleet in Charleston.  

Loyalist Exodus

Less persecution of Loyalists before the declaration.  Declaration forcefully seperated the two sides and violence against Loyalists became more cruel and frequent.  80000 supporters of king were driven out.  Many estates were sold and confiscated.  Around 50,000 loyalists fought in the army for the british.  

Washington at Bay

When British evacuated Boston in March 1776, British instead occupied New York.  The bulk of their armies stayed at Tomkinsville Staten Island for the weeks preceeding the battle.  New york had a great port and lots of loyalists.  500 ships with 35,000 redcoats arrived in early July.  (i knew this).  Geogre could only get 18,000.  Americans lost the Battle of Long Island and narrowly escaped through the wind and fog to Manhattan Island.  He crossed the Hudson river into Jersey and then to the Delaware river.  After crossing the Delaware on Christmas of 1776, Washington fought the battle of Trenton and attacked and captured 1000 hessians.  Then, Washington snuck away and was victorious in defeating a small british settlement at princeton.  

Burgoyne’s Invasion

1777, British officials came up with an idea to capture the Hudson river valley and sever NE from rest of states.  Invading force was led by an actor and playright Gneral John Burgoyne.  Howe’s troops would advance if needed to help.  British were not screwing with Benedict Arnold after what happened at Quebec.  British stopped to construct a fleet while Arnold built a tiny fleet to fight.  The fleet bought only time.  Burgoyne came the following year with 7000 troops.  He had a heavy baggage train, and women.  He was slow so Americans gathered behind him.  Howe left him out to dry and went to Philly.  Washington kept a clear eye on Burgoyne.  He transferred his army to the vicinity of Philly and was defeated in Brandywine and Germantown.  Howe settled in Philly.  Washington and men retired to Valley Forge for the worst winter of their lives.  Steuben whipped them into shape.  Burgoyne meanwhile was floundering.  British army got trapped.  Burgoyne was forced to surrender October 17th, 1777 to General Horatio Gates.  

Rules for Foreign Affairs

John Adams described the basic principles.  1. No military connection 2. No military connection 3. Only a commercial connection.  They were ushering in a new era of enlightenment that said that economy and commercial ventures would keep nations at peace and military conflict would be abandoned.  This was optimistic, but guided the new era.  Ben Franklin deliberately violated all social constructs when arriving in France.  

War widens

 England and France fought in 1778, Spain entered against Britain in 1779 with Holland, and Russia passively resisted British.  Americans desperately needed France aiding them and waging war on Britain to keep them weak.  France had a fleet to jeopardize England’s supply and blockade.  Howe evacuated Philadelphia in like early June 1778.  

Rochambeau

In summer of 1780, 600 French soldiers arrived in Newport Rhode Island with Commander Rochambeau.  There was suspicion and bloodshed because Americans and French used to be enemies.  After they reconciled, plans were made for an attack on NY.  

Southern Theatre

British devised plan to attack upwards beginning with the South.  Mucho loyalists.  Georgia was overrun in 1778-79 and Charleston fell 1780.  British captured 5000 men and 400 cannons and the loss was worse to the americans than Burgoyne was to the British.  Patriots fought loyalists.  Even those surrendering were butchered.  (looking at you, Banastre Tarleton).  Tide turned in 1780 and 1781 when American riflemen took out Brit detachment at King’s Mountain and Cowpens.  In 1781, Nathanael Greene had his army feign retreat at cowpens and exhausting General Cornwallis of British side.  

Yorktown

1780 and 81 were dark periods involving the massive inflation of currency.  Government could not pay debts, so disunity festered. Cornwallis was falling into a trap.  He went back to Chesapeake Bay at Yorktown and was waiting for supplies from the sea as well as reinforcements.  French Admiral de Grasse was ready to cooperate and advised Americans to attack Cornwallis at Yorktown.  Washington marched more than 300 miles to Yorktown  with the French army under Rochambeau.  He attacked by land while de Grasse blockaded them from the water.  Cornwallis surrendered his entire fleet of 7000 men October 19 1781.  George III still stubbornly fought though, even though the war was basically lost.  Patriot loyalist warfare continued after as well and was especially cruel.  

Treaty of Paris

Even though George III wanted to continue fighting, the Brits were not happy with the war after Yorktown and had faced other losses recently as well.  In March 1782, Lord North’s regime collapsed and was replaced by an American favoring regime.  America sent 3 negotiators to Paris.  These were Ben Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams.  They were given instructions to make no seperate peace and consult with French at all times.  The negotiators couldn’t help but feel that the French were guiding that decision.  France was dealing with promises that were falling through with Spain as well as wanting to keep a leash on America.  John Jay saw this happening.  He went above Congress’s head to London and made peace with them.  The Treaty of Paris in 1783 had the British officially recognize American independence and extra land from Mississippi to the West and the Great Lakes to the North.  Plus, they got Florida.  Americans also got to have a say in fisheries in Newfoundland.  In return, Loyalists were not to be further persecuted and America had to try to pay debts to the British.  These were not appropriately carries out however.  Native Americans were left entirely out of negotiations.

Commitee of 5

 Congress appointed five delegates to write a suitable declaration for independence. Jefferson, Franklin, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, and John Adams. Write the resolution/break-up letter as a whole, including all important grievances and such. Has preamble (purpose of doc), grievances (reasons for separation), and formal declaration of independence. Decide to deal with the issue of independence before the issue of slavery.