American Revolutionary War: A Comprehensive Study Guide

Colonists Unite for Action

• First Continental Congress

  • Convened on $September ext{ }5, ext{ }1774$.

  • $50$ delegates from every colony except Georgia met in Philadelphia.

  • Two primary actions were taken:

    1. Organization of a boycott through the Continental Association.

    2. Sending a Declaration of Rights and Grievances to King George III.

• Lexington and Concord (April 1775)

  • General Thomas Gage received intelligence about a stockpile of arms near Concord, Massachusetts.

  • He dispatched troops to destroy the stockpile and to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock.

  • $April ext{ }19, ext{ }1775$:

    • British soldiers reached Lexington and encountered approximately $70$ colonial militiamen.

    • The infamous "shot heard around the world" was fired, resulting in the deaths of $8$ militiamen, with the rest scattering.

    • The soldiers proceeded to Concord, destroying whatever supplies they could find.

    • A small battle occurred at Concord bridge (North Bridge), after which the British forces began their retreat to Boston.

• Return to Boston:

  • During their retreat, British soldiers were continuously harassed by colonial forces.

  • This harassment led to $273$ British casualties.

  • Following these events, the colonists established a siege around Boston.

Second Continental Congress & Attempts at Appeasement

• Attempts at Appeasement:

  • Olive Branch Petition: This document stated that the colonies did not wish to separate from Britain but desired a voice in their government. King George III did not accept this petition.

  • Proclamation of Rebellion: In response, King George III declared the colonies in "open and avowed rebellion" and called for the suppression of the rebellion.

  • Prohibitory Act: This Act prohibited trade with the colonies and provided for the confiscation of colonial ships and goods.

  • King George III further escalated the conflict by hiring Hessian (German) mercenary troops to fight against the colonists.

• Other Business of the Second Continental Congress:

  • John Hancock was elected president, thereby representing the American people and acting as a governmental body.

  • The Congress authorized the printing of money, with Paul Revere notable for printing the first currency.

  • The Continental Army was created, and George Washington was unanimously elected as its Commander-in-Chief.

Declaration of Independence

• A committee of $5$ men was appointed to draft the resolution of colonial dissolution from Britain.

• On $July ext{ }4, ext{ }1776$, the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted by the Continental Congress.

Battle of Princeton

• General Howe dispatched troops under the command of General Cornwallis with the objective of capturing "the old fox," a moniker often associated with George Washington.

• Washington’s army employed a deception tactic, leaving their campfires burning to mislead the British, allowing them to escape undetected.

• Washington’s forces then attacked and decisively defeated the British on $January ext{ }3, ext{ }1777$.

British Campaign for New York

• British Objectives:

  • To gain complete control of all of New York, effectively isolating New England.

  • General John Burgoyne was tasked with leading his army southward from Montreal along Lake Champlain.

• Reasons for Burgoyne's Blunder (which would result in major defeat):

  • His army's movement was excessively slow.

  • They frequently ran out of essential supplies.

  • Burgoyne exhibited overconfidence in his military strategy and forces.

Impact of Valley Forge

• Transformation of Troops: The encampment at Valley Forge was crucial for the development of troops, transforming them from untrained recruits into a disciplined and well-trained militia.

• Boost in Morale: Despite severe hardships, the leadership, particularly of Washington, significantly boosted the morale of the Continental Army.

• Development of a "True Army": Valley Forge was pivotal in molding a collection of militias into a cohesive and professional "true army."

• Strengthening Foreign Ties: The experience furthered positive ties between France and the United States, as French aid and training were instrumental.

• Increased Popularity for Washington: Washington's steadfast leadership through the brutal winter enhanced his popularity and stature among the troops and the wider public.

Battle of Bennington

• Burgoyne dispatched troops to Bennington, Vermont, with the aim of capturing American supplies.

• However, Loyalist and Indian allies began to desert Burgoyne's force.

• This engagement marked the beginning of Burgoyne’s eventual defeat.

Battle of Saratoga (Turning Point of the Revolution)

• First Battle: Battle of Freeman's Farm

  • Benedict Arnold was wounded during this engagement.

  • General Gates, in his official report, conspicuously failed to mention Arnold’s significant efforts, which greatly upset Arnold and eventually led to him being relieved of his command.

• Second Battle: Battle of Bemis Heights

  • American sharpshooters effectively defeated the British forces.

  • On $October ext{ }17, ext{ }1777$, Burgoyne was forced to surrender his entire army of $5,000$ men to General Gates.

After Saratoga

• French Alliance: Following the decisive American victory at Saratoga, France formally entered into an alliance with the American colonies.

  • Benjamin Franklin's Role: As the American ambassador to France, Franklin proved exceptionally well-suited to the French culture. He successfully persuaded the French Crown to provide crucial military and financial aid to the American cause.

• Articles of Confederation: On $November ext{ }15, ext{ }1777$, the Continental Congress passed the Articles of Confederation, which established a league of colonies.

  • America thus transitioned into a nation composed of $13$ independent states, rather than a unified national government.

• British Peace Offer (Too Late):

  • England subsequently offered peace on honorable terms, including all colonial demands except for complete independence.

  • However, this offer came too late, as the colonies were no longer in agreement to accept anything less than full independence.

Battle of Oriskany

• Colonel Lever attempted to cross the Mohawk Valley en route to Albany.

• British forces ambushed the Americans, claiming victory in what became one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

• This battle had a significant impact, marking the split of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy.

Battle of Monmouth

• During this battle, Molly Pitcher famously took her wounded husband's place, manning a cannon on the battlefield.

Fighting in the Frontier

• British Strategy: The British deliberately incited Native American tribes to fight against the American Patriots.

• Main Cause: To secure the western boundary of the colonies.

• Key Figure: George Rogers Clark was in command of American forces in this region.

• Battles: Clark's forces successfully captured British posts at Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes.

Fighting in the High Seas

• The Bon Homme Richard engaged in one of the toughest naval battles at sea.

• During this engagement, John Paul Jones famously declared, "I have yet begun to fight," epitomizing American naval determination.

Fighting in the South

• British New Strategy: The British adopted a new strategy to invade the South, where the population was generally smaller, intending to conquer territory as they advanced northward.

• Loyalist Aid: They anticipated significant support from Loyalists in the South but ultimately failed to gain their full backing.

Battle of Camden

• This represented another attempt by the Patriots to maintain control of the Southern colonies.

• General Gates launched an attack on a British outpost with a combined troop of Continental and militia soldiers, unaware that the British had recently received substantial reinforcements.

• Many of the militia fled, and Gates was forced to retreat.

• This battle became the worst defeat of the war for the Americans in terms of casualties.

• The defeat left North Carolina vulnerable and open to British invasion.

• "Swamp Fox" (Francis Marion): Though the Patriot military force in the South was in disarray, bands of volunteer militiamen under the command of Francis Marion utilized effective guerrilla tactics to harass British troops and disrupt their communication lines. Marion and his men famously hid in the swamps when pursued by superior British forces.