American Revolution

Context of the Fight for Independence

• Ongoing conflict: Possible continuation of fighting in the face of leadership decisions by King George III and troop deployment.

• Initial views: In May 1775, most colonists believed they were fighting for rights within the British Empire rather than full independence.

• Key figures advocating for independence: John Adams, Samuel Adams, and Richard Henry Lee argued for the necessity of independence to break the cycle of British control and appeasement.

Leadership and Military Organization

• George Washington's appointment:

  • Attended the Continental Congress in military attire, demonstrating leadership intentions.

  • Experience:

    • Involved in the French and Indian War as a soldier, though not a professional tactician.

    • Around 43 years old during this period, a wealthy plantation owner with significant status.

  • Washington's physical presence: Standing at 6'2", he was notably tall for his time, contributing to his leadership image.

• Military assistance:

  • Receiving help from international figures:

    • Marquis de Lafayette, an 18-year-old general from France, volunteered in 1776 to assist Washington due to his military education.

    • Baron von Steuben, a Prussian military officer, would later train and drill American troops at Valley Forge, enhancing their combat effectiveness.

Military Readiness and British Response

• Initial American military composition:

  • Early Continental Army troops were often farmers without military training.

  • Need for skilled leadership and tactics to match British professionalism.

• British military strategy:

  • King George III's response to colonial unrest included hiring mercenaries (Hessians) from German states, reflecting a disregard for the Olive Branch Petition sent by colonists seeking resolution.

  • Approximate troop deployment:

    • 30,000 Hessians (mercenaries who were less motivated to fight), 20-25,000 loyalists (colonists loyal to Britain), and 50,000 professional British troops.

• Civil conflict: The war was effectively a civil war, with divided loyalties among colonists.

Growing Call for Independence

• Olive Branch Petition: An early attempt at reconciliation that was ignored by the British government, reinforcing colonist resolve.

• Impact of Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" (January 1776):

  • Advocated for independence, arguing against monarchy and for republicanism where power lies with the people.

  • Helped shift public opinion towards the desire for an independent nation.

• Transition to formal declaration:

  • By July 1776, with the aid of Thomas Jefferson and others, the Continental Congress drafted the Declaration of Independence, presenting a case for separation from Britain.

Philosophical Foundations of Independence

• Influences:

  • Ideas of natural rights, especially those of Locke, influenced the Declaration, which emphasized individual rights and government by consent.

  • The phrase "all men are created equal" and the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were foundational declarations of American democracy.

Context of the Fight for Independence

• Ongoing conflict: The looming possibility of continued fighting arose from a combination of King George III's leadership decisions and strategic troop deployments, which exacerbated tensions between the British crown and American colonists.

• Initial views: In May 1775, a significant majority of colonists saw themselves not as rebels but as loyal subjects advocating for rights and relief within the framework of the British Empire, rather than desiring full independence.

• Key figures advocating for independence: Influential leaders such as John Adams, Samuel Adams, and Richard Henry Lee emerged as vocal proponents for complete independence from British rule, urging their fellow colonists to recognize that only through a definitive break with Britain could they escape the cycle of control and appeasement that had persisted for years.

Leadership and Military Organization

George Washington's appointment:

• Continental Congress: Washington's attendance at the Continental Congress donned in military attire represented a clear signal of his intent and commitment to leadership during a time of potential upheaval.

• Experience: Though Washington was not a formally trained military strategist, he had valuable military experience from his service in the French and Indian War. His leadership skills were grounded in practical experience rather than classical military education.

• Personal background: At approximately 43 years old, Washington was a wealthy plantation owner with significant social status, which helped garner support among various factions across the colonies.

• Physical stature: Washington stood at 6'2”, a considerable height that was noteworthy for his era, enhancing his commanding presence and leadership image amongst his peers and troops alike.

Military assistance:

• International support: Washington received crucial military assistance from notable international figures:

  • Marquis de Lafayette: This 18-year-old French general arrived in 1776 to volunteer under Washington, motivated by his desire to aid the cause of liberty, stemming from his strong military education and vision for a free America.

  • Baron von Steuben: A seasoned Prussian officer, von Steuben would later take charge of training and drilling American troops at Valley Forge, significantly improving their discipline, tactics, and overall combat effectiveness, which was crucial for the Continental Army’s success.

Military Readiness and British Response

• Initial American military composition: The early troops of the Continental Army primarily consisted of farmers and local militia members, many of whom lacked formal training and experience in military confrontations.

• Need for skilled leadership: The nascent American forces were drastically outmatched in terms of professional military strategy compared to the organized and disciplined British army, necessitating an urgent need for skilled leadership and tactical innovation.

• British military strategy: In response to the burgeoning colonial unrest, King George III's strategy involved deploying hired mercenaries, notably Hessians from German states. This measure illustrated a stark disregard for the Olive Branch Petition, which represented a last-ditch colonial effort to peacefully resolve tensions.

• Troop deployment: The British committed significant resources to the conflict, deploying approximately 30,000 Hessians, 20,000 to 25,000 loyalists, and around 50,000 professional British troops to maintain control, thus intensifying the conflict characterized by divided loyalties among the colonists themselves.

Growing Call for Independence

• Olive Branch Petition: Initially presented as an earnest attempt to reconcile with the British government, the Olive Branch Petition was ultimately dismissed, solidifying the resolve of colonists towards seeking independence.

• Impact of Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" (January 1776): This influential pamphlet argued vehemently against monarchy and championed republicanism, significantly shifting public opinion towards an independent nation and creating a fervent desire for self-governance among the colonies.

• Transition to formal declaration: By July 1776, following the philosophical groundwork laid by Pamphlet writers and key figures like Thomas Jefferson, the Continental Congress produced the Declaration of Independence, a vital document that articulated the colonists' case for separation from Britain.

Philosophical Foundations of Independence

• Influences: The Declaration drew upon the Enlightenment ideals of natural rights, particularly those articulated by John Locke, stressing the importance of individual rights and the consent of the governed as the foundation of legitimate political authority.

• Principles stated in the Declaration: Key phrases such as "all men are created equal" and the inalienable rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" were fundamental declarations that articulated the core values of American democracy, serving as a rallying cry for those advocating for independence and shaping the nation's political ethos for generations to come.