The American Revolution

Common Sense was a 50-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, a Patriot and recent immigrant, published in January 1776.
- Document expressed colonial grievances against King George III and the British aristocracy.
- Paine declared, "there is something absurd in supposing a Continent to be perpetually governed by an island."
Paine highlighted the benefits of independence:
- Once independent, colonies would be free to trade with any nation and withdraw themselves from European conflicts.
- Being part of the British Empire was depicted as a hindrance rather than a benefit.
- Vision of the new nation as a home of freedom.
Effectiveness of the pamphlet:
- Written clearly and directly to all colonists, not just the educated elite.
- Within months, over 150,000 copies were read, significantly influencing the colonists' decision to declare rebellion.
- Paine contributed his earnings from the pamphlet to fund the Continental Army.

On June 11, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a Committee of Five to draft the Declaration:
- Members included John Adams (Massachusetts), Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania), Thomas Jefferson (Virginia), Robert Livingston (New York), and Roger Sherman (Connecticut).
- No notes were taken during discussions, leading to uncertainty about the drafting process.
- Jefferson was tasked with writing the first draft.
The Declaration has three parts:
1. The Preamble: Asserts individual rights.
2. Grievances Against the King: Lists grievances concerning the British monarchy and its policies.
3. Formal Declaration of Independence: Proclaims the colonies' independence from Britain.
The Virginia Resolution on July 2, 1776, declared the establishment of the new country independent from the British Empire, leading to the Declaration's publication that evening in Pennsylvania newspapers.
Approval and signing:
- On July 4, the Declaration was approved and signed unanimously by the colonies.
- It included 56 signatures; John Hancock was the first signatory.
- All signers risked their lives as the act of signing was considered treason by King George III.
Legacy:
- The principle that legitimate political authority rests on the "will of the people" is a lasting legacy of the Declaration.
- Inspired subsequent revolutionary movements, including the French Revolution.

By late 1775, the colonial divide with Britain was perceived as irreparable.
Political leaders were hesitant and feared internal turmoil and British responses.
Strong colonies like Massachusetts, confident in independence, clashed with diverse colonies like New York, which lacked unity.

Definition: Individuals opposed to independence and loyal to the British crown.
Reasons for loyalty:
- Employment by Britain (judges, governors, customs officials).
- Belief that Britain would ultimately win.
- Expectation of protection against foreign threats.
- Rural residency, distancing from patriotic actions and sentiments.

Historical context: British heard rumor of colonists stockpiling weapons.
General Gage's plan to destroy the stockpiles resulted in Paul Revere's famous ride to warn Patriots.
Event on April 19, 1775:
- British troops searched for arms but found little.
- Encounter with approximately 3,000 militiamen led to 73 British casualties and the initial retreat of British forces.
- Considered the first battle of the Revolutionary War; 49 Patriots were also killed.

Convened in May 1775 after Lexington and Concord.
Key decisions made:
- Recognized Massachusetts militias as the Continental Army.
- Selected George Washington as Commander-in-Chief.
- Authorized printing of paper money for troop payment and committee formation to handle foreign affairs.
British reaction included declaring the colonies in rebellion, deploying soldiers, and closing ports.

Date: June 16-17, 1775.
Significance:
- British aimed to occupy surrounding hills for siege on Boston.
- Results: Severe British casualties (200 killed and over 800 wounded), compared to around 100 American losses.
- Despite British control of Boston, the battle boosted morale among inexperienced Continental troops.
George Washington took command three weeks later, following the Declaration of Independence.

Date: Fall of 1777 (two battles 18 days apart).
Importance:
- Turning point where Burgoyne's forces were dealt a costly victory, but he was later forced to surrender on October 17, 1777.
- Consequences included French recognition of the colonists’ cause and entering the war as allies.
- Impact on British strategy shifted towards coastal operations to align with their naval capabilities and Loyalist support in the Southern colonies.

Treaty of Amity and Commerce established military alliance against Britain.
Conditions included recognition of American independence.
Motivations for French assistance were both ideological (support of democratic ideals) and historical (bitterness over loss of empire).
Key figure: Marquis de Lafayette, who assisted Washington and helped secure French support.

Context: Lord Cornwallis retreated to Yorktown after defeats in the South.
Siege Began: September 28, 1781, resulting in Cornwallis’s surrender on October 19, 1781.
Significance:
- About 8,000 British troops taken prisoner.
- Defeat led to collapse of British public support for the war, initiating peace negotiations.

Negotiated by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay.
Officially ended the Revolutionary War.
Established the boundaries of the new nation:
- From northern Florida to the Great Lakes and from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River.
Acknowledged the United States as a sovereign nation but did not protect rights of Native Americans or African slaves.
Spain regained Menorca and parts of Florida from Britain.

Married John Adams in 1764 and managed the family farm while he pursued a political career.
Became a significant advisor to John Adams, advocating for women's rights in her letters.
Notably wrote urging Founding Fathers to "remember the ladies."
- Warning against unlimited power over women, stating, "All men would be tyrants if they could."

Formed in 1766 to organize political resistance during the Stamp Act crisis.
Acted to boycott taxed goods, leading to the eventual repeal of the Stamp Act.
Key figure: Sarah Bradlee Fulton, known for organizing the Boston Tea Party against the Tea Act in 1773.
Provided women a political platform to express patriotic sentiment while adhering to traditional gender roles.
- Allowed them to engage in political activities like petitioning and boycotting without contravening societal expectations.