HIST 221 Test 2 day 1

Overview of the American Revolution

• Beginnings of the revolution marked by conflicts in April 1775.

• Initial fighting took place at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts.

• British troops aimed to capture colonial leaders and stockpiles of gunpowder and cannons.

• The first significant battle of the revolution occurred in June 1775 at Bunker Hill.

Key Battles and Events

Lexington and Concord (April 1775)

• First fighting of the revolution.

• American resistance against British troops led to confrontation.

• British troops were attempting to capture gunpowder and arrest revolutionary leaders.

Bunker Hill (June 1775)

• Became known as the first major battle of the revolution.

• American troops occupied strategic high ground around Boston.

• British forces suffered significant casualties: approximately 1,000 men lost (250 killed, 800 wounded).

• Despite being a tactical defeat for Americans, it showcased their fighting spirit and military capability.

Siege of Boston

• After Bunker Hill, a siege began where American troops surrounded the British in Boston.

• The Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia to make plans.

• George Washington appointed commander of the Continental Army.

• Washington achieved success by driving the British out of Boston in early 1776.

Washington's Leadership

• While Washington lost many battles, he remained a key unifying figure for American troops.

• His ability to maintain troop loyalty during difficult times was crucial for the revolution's endurance.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Side

British Advantages

• Greater population and existing professional army.

• World's strongest navy, allowing for quick troop movement.

• Economic power: Britain's mercantilist system favored British manufacturing.

• Significant financial resources and wealth compared to American colonies.

• Divided American colonists: many loyalists supported the British; substantial populations remained neutral.

American Advantages

• Home-field advantage: familiarity with the terrain and motivation to defend their land.

• Vast territory made it difficult for British forces to occupy and control effectively.

• The nature of their struggle meant that they did not need to defeat the British outright but rather outlast them until they decided to withdraw.

• Foreign recognition and support came later, especially from France, Spain, and the Dutch.

Critical Moments and Turning Points

The Role of Foreign Support

• The battle of Saratoga in 1777 was critical in persuading France to enter the war on the side of the Americans.

• Spanish ambitions in Florida and the Dutch opposition to British expansion further complicated the conflict for Britain.

Declaration of Independence

• Introduced on July 2, 1776, by Richard Henry Lee; officially adopted on July 4, 1776.

• Drafted by a committee including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams.

• Outlined grievances against King George III, emphasizing Enlightenment ideas like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Impact of the Declaration

• Served to unify colonial resistance and provided a framework for negotiation.

• Had international implications, framing the American struggle as linked to Enlightenment ideals.

• Marked a complete break from British rule, although its effectiveness depended on the outcome of the war.

Challenges Facing the New Nation

• The Second Continental Congress did not create a definitive governmental structure with the Declaration.

• Articles of Confederation created a weak central government; most power remained with individual states.

• Challenges arose in unifying the states under federal direction, particularly with the difficulty of amending laws.

Major Setbacks for Americans

• Washington's losses in 1776 led to the British capturing New York City and later Philadelphia.

• Winter encampments, particularly at Valley Forge, tested the resolve and resources of the Continental Army, leading to significant hardship and loss.

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more deatiled below

Overview of the American Revolution

The American Revolution was a pivotal conflict that marked the thirteen American colonies' struggle for independence from British rule. The roots of the revolution can be traced back to growing tensions between the colonies and Britain, primarily over issues of taxation without representation, British military presence, and colonial governance. The revolution's beginnings are marked by significant conflicts in April 1775, where initial fighting took place at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts.

Key Events Leading to War

• Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775): Considered the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War, the conflict began as British troops aimed to capture colonial leaders and stockpiles of gunpowder and cannons. The confrontation at Lexington resulted in the famous phrase "the shot heard 'round the world" and initiated armed conflict between Great Britain and the colonies.

• Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775): This battle proved to be a significant early conflict in the war, often misnamed as it was primarily fought on Breed's Hill. American forces occupied the strategic high ground near Boston, leading to intense fighting with British troops. Despite suffering approximately 1,000 casualties (including killed and wounded), the British claimed a tactical victory. This battle exemplified the American fighting spirit and military capability, bolstering morale among colonial forces.

Siege of Boston

Following the Bunker Hill engagement, American forces laid siege to British troops in Boston, effectively trapping them and seeking to halt their operations. During this time, the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, marking a more organized resistance against British authority. Notably, George Washington, a respected military leader, was appointed commander of the Continental Army. Washington's leadership eventually led to the successful expulsion of British forces from Boston in March 1776, marking a turning point in colonial military strategy.

Washington's Leadership

George Washington played a crucial role in maintaining morale among troops and was a unifying figure despite facing numerous military defeats in the early years of the war. His leadership skills were instrumental in maintaining loyalty among the Continental Army during difficult winter encampments and battles that tested the resolve and resources of the American forces.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Side

• British Advantages:

  • Superior numbers and an established professional army.

  • Possessing the world's most powerful navy, facilitating effective troop movement and supply.

  • Economic stability due to Britain's mercantilist policies promoting manufacturing.

  • Access to substantial financial resources and wealth relative to the American colonies.

  • A portion of American colonists remained loyal to the British Crown, creating divisions within the colonies.

• American Advantages:

  • Home-field advantage with an intimate understanding of the local terrain and strong motivation to defend their land from foreign control.

  • The vast American territory created challenges for British occupation and control.

  • Strategically, the Americans needed only to outlast British efforts rather than achieve outright victory in every engagement.

  • Foreign support emerged over time, particularly from France, Spain, and the Netherlands, shifting the dynamics of the conflict.

Critical Moments and Turning Points

• The Role of Foreign Support: The American victory at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 was a crucial moment that influenced foreign nations, notably France, to provide military support. The entry of France into the war significantly shifted the balance, enabling the Americans to access critical resources and formal military assistance.

• Declaration of Independence: On July 2, 1776, Richard Henry Lee proposed the independence resolution, which was officially adopted on July 4, 1776. The declaration, drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson with input from Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, articulated the colonies' grievances against King George III and was grounded in Enlightenment ideals, emphasizing rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Impact of the Declaration

The Declaration of Independence became a powerful symbol to unify colonial resistance and framed the American struggle in alignment with Enlightenment principles. While representing a break from British governance, its effectiveness in achieving independence depended heavily on the outcome of the ongoing war and subsequent negotiations with both allies and adversaries.

Challenges Facing the New Nation

While the Second Continental Congress facilitated the independence movement, it did not establish a cohesive governmental framework, leading to the creation of the Articles of Confederation, which established a weak federal government with limited powers. The states held most of the authority, complicating efforts to unify the new nation under a central government capable of effective governance.

Major Setbacks for Americans

The American cause faced significant challenges, particularly following Washington’s losses in 1776, resulting in the British capture of key cities, including New York City and Philadelphia. Harsh winter encampments, particularly at Valley Forge, put immense pressure on the Continental Army, resulting in severe hardships, loss of morale, and resource depletion.

Siege of Boston

The Siege of Boston began after the Battle of Bunker Hill, where American forces surrounded the British troops in Boston to cut off their supply lines and force their withdrawal.

Advantages of Each Side

British Advantages:

• Superior numbers and an established professional army.

• The world’s most powerful navy, facilitating troop movement and supply.

• Economic stability and substantial financial resources compared to the American colonies.

• Division among American colonists, as loyalists remained supportive of British rule.

American Advantages:

• Home-field advantage with greater familiarity with terrain and strong motivation to defend their land.

• Vast territory made it difficult for British forces to occupy and control fully.

• American strategy focused on outlasting British efforts rather than needing to win every battle.

• Growing foreign support over time, particularly from France, Spain, and the Netherlands.

New York Campaign

The New York Campaign was a series of battles in 1776 that saw British forces capturing New York City. Washington faced several defeats and lost control of the city but managed to conduct a strategic retreat.

Thomas Paine - Common Sense

Published in January 1776, Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" advocated for American independence from British rule, arguing that it was not just logical but necessary. It significantly influenced public opinion.

Second Continental Congress

This congress convened in May 1775, serving as the de facto national government during the revolutionary war, making pivotal decisions like appointing Washington as the commander of the Continental Army and drafting the Declaration of Independence.

Declaration of Independence

Officially adopted on July 4, 1776, the Declaration was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and articulated the colonies' grievances against King George III, asserting Enlightenment principles of individual rights and the pursuit of happiness.

Loyalists (Tories)

Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the revolution, opposing the Patriots’ quest for independence.

Patriots

Patriots were those colonists who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution, supporting independence and forming the Continental Army.

Battle of Saratoga

The Battle of Saratoga in 1777 marked a turning point, as it led to France's formal alliance with the American colonies, significantly affecting the war's trajectory.

Richard Henry Lee

Richard Henry Lee was a delegate from Virginia who famously proposed the resolution for independence on July 2, 1776, which paved the way for the Declaration of Independence.

Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States, ratified in 1781, creating a weak federal government with limited powers, resulting in challenges when trying to unify the states under a central authority.

12/76, 1/77 - Trenton and Princeton

Following the significant losses in 1776, Washington led surprise attacks on the British-Hessian forces in Trenton (December 26, 1776) and Princeton (January 3, 1777), boosting American morale.

Attacked Hessians

Washington's attack on Hessian forces during the Trenton raid was critical for American momentum, resulting in a significant victory attributed to surprise tactics and careful planning.

1777-78 - Valley Forge

The winter encampment at Valley Forge in 1777-78 tested the resolve of the Continental Army, facing severe hardships, including food shortages and illness. However, it strengthened troop morale and training under Washington's leadership.