American War of Independence: Key Notes

Lexington & Concord (1775): First clashes; minutemen used 'Indian Warfare', besieged Boston.
Second Continental Congress (1775): Appointed George Washington General of Continental Army.
Bunker Hill (1775): British victory with heavy casualties; followed by Olive Branch Petition for peace, rejected by King George III who declared colonies in 'open rebellion'.
Proclamations (1775-1779): Dunmore (VA) and Philipsburg (Clinton) offered freedom to enslaved Africans who joined British forces, alienating Southern loyalists.
Common Sense (1776): Thomas Paine's pamphlet advocated for independence using accessible language.
Adam Smith's 'Wealth of Nations' (1776): Criticized mercantilism, supported free markets, anti-slavery, and colonial independence.
Declaration of Independence (1776): Drafted by Jefferson, influenced by Locke's social contract and natural rights (Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness); listed grievances against King George III.
- An anti-slavery clause was removed due to opposition from Southern and New England delegates.

Patriots: Dedicated to independence, strong in New England/Middle Colonies, financed by colonial elite and French.
Loyalists: Strong in seaports, alienated by British freedom policy for enslaved Africans.
Neutrals: Largest group, swayed by immediate impact.
Colonial Challenges: Untrained army, financial difficulties; benefited from war of attrition.
British Challenges: Rebellions elsewhere in empire, public protest at home.
Continental Army Strategy: Avoid direct battles, use insurgent 'Indian Warfare', seek foreign alliances (France/Spain).
British Strategy: Naval blockade, 'Divide & Conquer' (isolate New England), employ Loyalists, enslaved Africans, and Native Americans.

Early British Offensives (1776-1777): Washington retreated from NYC and Philadelphia; Continental Army faced desertions and hardship (e.g., Valley Forge).
Cherokee Campaign (1776-1783): Cherokee (led by Dragging Canoe) allied with British against colonial settlements; eventually lost significant lands.
Saratoga (1777): Significant American victory, using 'Indian warfare' and European tactics; turning point.
French-American Alliance (1778): Saratoga victory and Ben Franklin's diplomacy secured French alliance (loans, supplies, troops, navy); Spain joined in $1779$ .
Benedict Arnold: American general turned traitor, spied for British after Saratoga.
Genocide of Iroquois League (1779-1781): Washington ordered 'Scorched Earth' campaign against Iroquois, destroying their power in NY.
Britain's Southern Campaign & Yorktown (1781): British focused on the South; insurgent warfare and Philipsburg Proclamation backfired. Cornwallis was trapped at Yorktown by American and French forces, leading to his surrender.

Treaty of Paris (1783): Britain recognized American independence, set Mississippi River as western border, agreed to remove troops. USA agreed to repay pre-war debts.