Chapter 7 APUSH The American Pageant [1775-1783] Definitions, Events, and Explanations

extremely detailed and you dont need to read everything on a notecard, the bolded parts are most important. most battles and war strategy is not included in this

[7.1] George Washington

Future first president and a cunning, moral, respectful, and disciplined leader who lowkey sucked as a military leader but worked without pay to raise the morale of the colonists. He was also from Virginia, meaning he had generational wealth and also gave the South more representation.

[7.2] Hessian mercenaries

Hessian mercenaries are German soldiers hired by the British to fight against the colonial revolution after King George III declares the colonists are in a total rebellion. Most desert after a while because they didn’t hold allegiance to the British, so they could be bribed to the colonial side.

[7.4-7.5] Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and Republicanism

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was second to the Bible in terms of copies sold. It was an easy-to read pamphlet that aroused revolutionary spirit from especially the common folk and used “common sense” to deduce that revolution, denouncement of the monarchy, and independence was the only way out of this parasitic relationship with Britain.

Instead of a monarchy, this newly-forged America would be a republic, gaining its authority and power from the people and being based off republicanism. This idea was already familiar thanks to the town meetings lack of nobles/king, and House of Burgesses, so this idea was positively received.

[7.6] Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is perhaps the single most important document in United States history. Passed on July 2 but effective July 4, 1776, it was the most formal breakup letter to the crown and a call to the world that a new nation was on the blocks - America. It was a compounding list of all the trials and tribulations Britain had put the colonists through and the natural rights of man that they violated.

This would become the groundwork for Marquis de Lafayette’s Declaration of the Rights of Man during the French Revolution.

[7.7-7.8] Patriots vs Loyalists

Patriots: those who supported the revolution; revolutionaries who were oppressed by the British crown.. A small fraction of the US population were Patriots, but the viral spread of revolutionary ideas was sure to bring seditious ideas to every corner of America.

Loyalists: those who supported the British crown; British sympathizers who benefited from the British crown. About 16% of the US population were Loyalists, leaving the vast majority of people as neutral or undecided, not wanting to engage in either side and sticking to themselves. The Anglican Church (British-sponsored Church) also boosted Loyalist power.

Loyalists were treated horribly during the Revolution. They were tarred and feathered, were subjected to boiling tea down their throats, beaten up, and imprisoned or even executed, resulting in a mass Loyalist exodus where some even joined the British army.

[7.10] Battle of Saratoga

The most devastating battle to the British was the battle of Saratoga. Horatio Gates of the Patriots obliterated the British army led by John Burgoyne on October 17, 1777, inspiring the French to aid the US since they saw there was a chance for US victory. Burgoyne had been a fool and ignored his ally Benedict Arnold, and marched into the Hudson where Horatio Gates eventually obliterated him.

Parliament, following this total embarassment, passed an act giving Americans somewhat free home rule, but still no independence. As Americans do, they refused in search of something a little better than just home rule; independence.

[7.11] Model Treaty

Made in the summer of 1776 by the Second Continental Congress, the Model Treaty served as a model to American foreign affairs and guided the American commissioners who were on their way to negotiate with France for aid. Some of its key components were no political alliances, no military connections and only purely economical connections (e.g. trade).

[7.12] Allies to America in the Revolution

Spain and The Netherlands (Holland) entered alongside France after the devastating battle of Saratoga Springs. When the French realized there was a fighting chance for American victory, the Spanish and Dutch came to aid too knowing with their combined power, the rival empire of Britain may be destroyed.

[7.14] Indian Conflict and Treaty of Fort Stanwix

The British had Indian allies, for they believed a British victory would restrict American expansion into native lands. Battle throughout Pennsylvania and New York ended with the Treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1784, where the Iroquois, among others, had to lose a lot of land due to American victory.

[7.14] John Paul Jones and the Privateers

John Paul Jones was part of the infantile US Navy, and he was a Scottish menace on the seas who, with privateers (like mercenary ships; naval vessels for hire) lightly pestered the peerless British navy but devastated British merchant ships.

[7.15] Inflation in the US

In 1780-1781, the American government was virtually bankrupt and could only pay a small fraction of its debts to the states, and unity withered. Despite this, the war raged on and America would soon win.

[7.16-7.17] Treaty of Paris of 1783

The Treaty of Paris dictated that Britain acknowledge American independence, abandon its forts in American territory (Britain would never actually do this) and grant the fledgeling nation an enormous tract of land stretching to the Mississippi and Florida, and a share of fisheries in British Newfoundland was given to America. In return, the Americans could no longer pester Loyalists and had to return their land (But they never did this).