American Revolution

American Revolution

Initial Phase of the War

• Boston is held by the British and under siege by the Americans.

• British withdraw due to lack of support in Boston.

Second Continental Congress

• Meets on May 10, 1775, and assumes the role of a revolutionary government.

• Names George Washington as commander in chief of the Continental Army.

  • Washington accepts the position without pay.

  • He gained military experience in the French and Indian War.

• The first major battle breaks out the same day Washington is commissioned.

Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed's Hill)

• The battle occurs at Breed's Hill, though named Bunker Hill.

• General Thomas Gage leads the British, ordering an assault against the Continentals.

• The Americans have a strong defensive position behind earthworks and are low on ammunition.

• Americans are instructed to not fire until they see "the whites of their eyes."

• The British are repelled twice with heavy losses.

• The British eventually take the hill in a bayonet charge after the colonists run out of ammunition.

• British casualties exceed 1,000, while the colonists have about 400.

• Effects of the battle:

  • British generals become more cautious.

  • Congress recommends all able-bodied men enlist in the militia.

  • Colonists must choose between supporting the Patriots or remaining loyal to Great Britain.

• General Howe evacuates Boston.

Hopes for Compromise

• American colonists still hope for a possible compromise.

• Two documents issued on July 5 and 6, 1775:

  • Olive Branch Petition: Affirms loyalty to King George III and asks him to restrain hostilities in hopes of reconciliation.

  • Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms: Rejects independence but affirms the purpose of fighting for their rights.

• The King refuses to consider the documents and orders the British army to regard the colonists as open enemies.

  • Issues a proclamation of rebellion and the Prohibitory Act, which closes the colonies to all commerce.

  • The British Navy blockades the coast.

• The King hires German soldiers from the Hess Castle region of Germany, known as Hessians.

Thomas Paine and Common Sense

• Thomas Paine, an Englishman, comes to America and writes a pamphlet called "Common Sense."

• Published anonymously due to its treasonous content.

• Paine attacks allegiance to the monarch rather than Parliament.

• He questions the idea of hereditary monarchy and argues that America should declare independence.

• The pamphlet causes a shift in colonial thinking toward independence.

Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Jefferson drafts the Declaration of Independence.

• The resolution is passed on July 2, adopted and signed on July 4, 1776.

• Jefferson restates John Locke's contract theory of government:

  • Governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed.

  • People have the right to alter or abolish governments that deny them their rights.

• The Declaration lists grievances against Great Britain.

• Key passage:

  • "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

  • (\text{Note: } \text{Pursuit of Happiness replaced property to avoid debate over slavery})

• Signers pledge their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor, risking everything.

Early Stages of the War

• The colonies have declared independence but must now win it.

• General William Howe settles in New York.

• Washington's troops, outnumbered, retreat overnight from Brooklyn to Manhattan due to a rainstorm.

  • The British do not realize they are escaping.

• Washington continues his retreat from New York into New Jersey and then into Pennsylvania.

• His men are in poor condition with lack of supplies.

Thomas Paine's The American Crisis

• Thomas Paine travels with Washington and writes "The American Crisis" to inspire the troops.

• Example:

  • “These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country…"

• Washington feels despair, writing to his brother, "I think the game is pretty near up."

• Enlistments are ending, and Washington needs to give his men a reason to keep fighting.

Crossing the Delaware

• Washington plans a surprise attack on Hessian soldiers in Trenton, New Jersey.

• On Christmas night 1776, he crosses the Delaware River with his men.

• The crossing is difficult due to ice in the river.

• They march through the snow, leaving a trail of blood due to lack of shoes.

• The element of surprise is maintained thanks to a prior encounter between Virginian soldiers and the Hessians.

• The Americans surprise about 1,500 Hessian soldiers, resulting in 1,000 deaths or captures.

• Six patriots are wounded.

Victories at Trenton and Princeton

• A few days later, on January 3, the Americans defeat British troops at Princeton.

• The Americans settle in for the winter at Morristown, New Jersey.

• These minor victories inspire the patriots and give them a reason to reenlist.

American Society During the War

• The war divides American colonies, with loyalists supporting Great Britain.

• The British occupy major cities like New York, Philadelphia, Savannah, and Charleston.

• Prices skyrocket, causing hardship, especially for the poor.

  • The price of a bushel of wheat goes from less than a dollar in 1777 up to $80 a bushel two years later.

General Howe's Decision

• General Howe decides to capture Philadelphia instead of joining forces with General Burgoyne.

• Howe defeats Washington at the Battle of Brandywine Creek and takes Philadelphia.

• He settles in for the winter in Philadelphia while Washington settles in for the winter at Valley Forge.

Battle of Saratoga

• Burgoyne moves south toward Lake Champlain with a long baggage train.

• He fights troops led by General Horatio Gates at the Battle of Saratoga.

• Burgoyne surrenders in October 1777; this is the turning point of the war.

Alliance with France

• Benjamin Franklin negotiates an alliance with France.

• Two treaties result:

  • Treaty of Amity and Commerce: Offers trade concessions and privileges to American shipping.

  • Treaty of Alliance: Both sides agree to fight until American independence is won.

• Spain enters the war as an ally of France but not of America.

• Britain declares war against the Dutch.

• The war becomes a world war fought in multiple locations.

Winter at Valley Forge

• Washington and his troops winter at Valley Forge after the Battle of Brandywine Creek.

• Conditions are harsh, with little shelter, lack of shoes and blankets, and daily deaths.

• Local farmers refuse to sell supplies to the Continental Army.

• Washington orders foraging expeditions, providing IOUs.

British Concessions

• The British, concerned about losing the war, repeal oppressive acts.

• They send a peace commission without offering American independence.

• The Americans, aligned with France, reject the offer.

Stalemate in the North

• The British withdraw from Philadelphia and settle into New York.

• Washington follows, and sir Henry Clinton commands the British Army.

• The Battle of Monmouth Courthouse is indecisive.

• The northern theater of the war settles into a stalemate.

Peace of Paris

• John Adams, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin negotiate the Peace of Paris.

• Signed September 3, 1783, it ends the American Revolution.

• Britain recognizes American independence.

• The Mississippi River becomes the boundary of America.

• Florida goes back to Spain.

• Britain allows Americans to fish off Newfoundland and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

Reasons for American Victory

• Aid from the French and Dutch.

• American determination.

• George Washington's leadership.

British Disadvantages

• Difficulty fighting a war across the ocean.

• Bad or outdated information.

• Difficulty supplying troops.

• Failure to adapt battlefield tactics.

Political Revolution

• Contract theory of government (John Locke).

• Sovereignty of the people.

• Separation of powers.

• Focus on natural rights.

State Constitutions

• State constitutions make the people sovereign.

• Include separation of powers and a bill of rights.

• Limit the power of the governor.

Articles of Confederation

• Adopted in November 1777.

• Purposefully provides for a weak central government.

• Congress has full power over foreign affairs and war and peace.

• Lacks power to enforce resolutions or collect taxes.

• Requires unanimous approval to accomplish anything.

Social Revolution

• Limited equality.

• No universal male suffrage.

• Slavery not addressed at the end of the war.

• Slaves are emancipated in the North either during the war or shortly after

• Southern states relaxed the new mission laws

• Legal status of women remains unaffected.

• Freedom of religion is protected.

• Tax support for churches ends.

American Culture

• Education is considered important.

• New colleges are established.

• A public school system is attempted.

• Belief that America has a special identity and mission to lead toward liberty and equality.