HIST 2055.1 Lecture 6.1 - The American Revolution

HIST 2055.1: U.S. History to 1865 Lecture 6.1: The American Revolution

Key Concepts

  • First Continental Congress (1774)

    • Assembled in response to the Intolerable Acts.

    • Coordinated nonimportation, nonconsumption, and nonexportation strategies.

    • Established shadow governments across colonies.

  • Second Continental Congress (1775-76)

    • Reconvened in Philadelphia to address ongoing conflict.

    • Created the Continental Army with George Washington as commander.

    • Proposed the Declaration of Independence, formally adopted on July 4, 1776.

  • Declaration of Independence (1776)

    • Articulated Enlightenment ideals of natural rights and government by consent.

    • Emphasized the right of the people to alter or abolish destructive governments.

  • Dunmore’s Proclamation (1775)

    • Offered freedom to enslaved men who fought for the British.

    • Led to the formation of the Ethiopian Regiment.

  • Battle of Saratoga (1777)

    • A pivotal American victory that convinced France, Spain, and the Netherlands to join the war against Great Britain.

  • Treaty of Paris (1783)

    • Officially ended the Revolutionary War.

    • Recognized American independence and established territorial boundaries.

Key Terms

  • British Military Strategy

    • Aimed to suppress rebellion by capturing cities and minimizing civilian casualties.

  • Patriot Military Strategy

    • Focused on maintaining an army in the field and securing European support.

  • Black and Native Participation in the American Revolution

    • Significant involvement of Black soldiers in the Continental Army.

    • Many Native Nations sided with the British to protect their lands.

Historical Context

  • Colonial Tensions

    • Absolute monarchs sought to tighten control over self-sufficient colonies.

    • Enlightenment ideas fueled desires for independence.

    • British missteps exacerbated colonial unrest.

  • The Spark of Rebellion

    • Boston was under military occupation by 1768.

    • Events like the Boston Tea Party (1773) escalated tensions.

  • Intolerable Acts (1774)

    • Aimed to punish Massachusetts, eliminating self-rule and closing the Boston port.

Key Events

  • Lexington & Concord (April 1775)

    • Marked the first military engagement of the Revolution.

    • Resulted in significant British casualties.

  • Bunker Hill (June 1775)

    • A costly battle for the British, demonstrating colonial resolve.

  • Support for Independence

    • Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (1776) sold 100,000 copies, advocating for independence in accessible language.

Notable Figures in the Second Continental Congress

  • John Adams

    • Lawyer and defender of Boston Massacre soldiers.

  • Samuel Adams

    • Propagandist and organizer of the Boston Tea Party.

  • John Hancock

    • Elected President of the Second Continental Congress.

  • Benjamin Franklin

    • Renowned inventor and political philosopher.

  • Thomas Jefferson

    • Key author of the Declaration of Independence.

  • George Washington

    • Leader of the Continental Army.

  • James Madison

    • Young but influential member of the Congress.

Military Challenges

  • Washington’s Army

    • Racially integrated with significant Black participation.

    • Faced issues with funding, supplies, and morale.

  • Native Nations

    • Most allied with the British to protect their territories.

Conclusion

  • The American Revolution was a complex conflict influenced by Enlightenment ideals, colonial grievances, and strategic military decisions. The outcome reshaped the political landscape of North America and established the foundation for the United States.