n Essential Question Essential Question What factors caused

n. Essential Question: Essential Question –What factors caused the British to fail in what should have been an easy campaign to subdue the American rebels? n RQ 7 A (202 -217)

The Decision to Fight For Independence

for Independence The Decision Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill) demonstrated were In early 1776, that both. Americans Spain & France n The Lexington & Concord skirmish willing to stand up supplies to a pitched battle began shipping to colonists st war was the 1 of a series of conflicts Despite growing calls for independence, from 1775 to 1776 before the congress issued the Olive Branch American call for independence: Petition to King George in July 1775 –Fighting erupted around Boston, King George rejected the Olive NY, Charlestown, & Quebec Branch Petition in August 1775 –The 2 nd Continental Congress met to organize a war plan –King George declared the colonists in “open rebellion”

With over 1, 000 casualties, the British suffered their Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill); June 17, 1775 greatest losses of the Revolution at Bunker Hill “A few more such victories would have shortly put an end to British dominion in America” —British General Henry Clinton

Decision for Independence n By 1776, the 2 nd Continental Congress served as an informal Challenged “royal infallibility” national gov’t for the colonies Persuaded ordinary people to sever ties with England & its “royal brute” n But the majority of colonists were undecided about independence n Thomas Paine’s Common Sense proved to be the key factor in convincing Americans to support colonial independence

On June 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee of VA introduced a resolution to the Continental Congress: “that. By these United 1776, Colonies are, and of colonial right ought to be, free and independent sentiment had States. . . ” changed After several days of debate, Congress appointed a committee to draft a declaration of independence

Declaration of Independence (1776) Committee to draft the Declaration: Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson Ben Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston, & Roger Sherman

Decision for Independence n On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted for independence n On July 4, the Declaration of Independence was signed; The Democratic ideals (republicanism) Declaration’s purpose was to: Natural rights & individual liberty –Justify the Americans’ desire to separate from England –Articulate the principles on which the new nation would be established

Independence Hall at the Second Continental Congress The Declaration of Independence was NOT signed like this!

The Decision for Independence n The colonists were divided about this decision for independence: –Supporters of independence were called “Patriots” or “ Whigs” Patriots Whigs –Colonists that opposed independence were called “Loyalists” or “ Tories” Loyalists Tories –There were many “neutral” neutral colonists who were conflicted by the prospect of independence

Patriots vs. Loyalists n Where are the Loyalists? n Why are Loyalists near cities? n Why is the backcountry so contested? n Why are Indians loyalists?

The Outbreak of Revolution n The British entered the war confident of a complete victory: –Their army was 400% larger; well-trained solders, experienced officers, & Hessian mercenaries –Strong manufacturing base –The world’s most dominant navy n Believed the 1776 battles were a “police action” & the show of force would force rebels to submit

The Outbreak of Revolution n In reality, England faced an impossible task: – Their long supply lines across the Atlantic would not be able to provide timely provisions – The American terrain was large – To win, the English had to find & defeat the Continental Army defeat – Underestimated the colonial commitment to independence

The American Revolution, 1775 -1781 Where was the American Revolution fought?

Building a Professional Army n Washington’s task was to defend As long as England did not defeat the as much territory as possible: Continental Army, England could not win –Relied on guerrilla tactics & avoided all-out-war with Britain –Washington’s Continental Army served as the symbol of the “republican cause” –But, colonial militias played a major role in “forcing” neutrals to support the Revolution

Slaves & Indians in the War n Black slaves supported whoever seemed likely to deliver freedom: –Northern slaves supported the colonists who offered freedom for any slave who fought –Southern slaves typically supported Britain n Native Americans feared colonial expansion & overwhelmingly supported Britain

The. Variety Continental had 2 Soldiers all-black The of Army Colonial regiments composed of Northern slaves

Women in the War n Women’s role in the revolution: –Supported their husbands & sons in enlisting in militias –Ran business affairs & continued boycotting English goods while men fought (i. e. Abigail Adams) –Created propaganda (political satires by Mercy Otis Warren) –Some helped in the battlefield (“Molly Pitcher”)

Differing Military Strategies The Americans The British n Win a war of attrition n “Divide & Conquer” – Use Loyalists – England had long – Encourage slave supply lines revolts – Colonials did not – Seize property have to “win” just had to wear down n Break the colonies in the British half by dividing the North & South n Guerilla tactics n Blockade the ports n Make an alliance with one of Britain’s to prevent trade with American allies enemies

The Early Years: 1776 -1777 n The initial battles of the revolution went badly for Americans: –British General Howe forced Washington to retreat at New Colonial militias retaliated against York putting the Americans on those who deserted the patriot cause the run –Gen Howe issued a “general pardon” to all Americans who swore an oath of allegiance to George III; thousands did so

Fighting the War for Independence

The. Howe Earlycaptured Years: 1776 -1777 Captured New York Philadelphia n The British strategy remained to Washington’s army almost fight a “major & decisive” battle; starved at Valley Forge but Continental Army was elusive n Despite British victories & 1, 000 s Took Trenton Took Princeton of colonial “oaths of allegiance”, Washington kept fighting –Won small victories that renewed American wartime morale –“Won” at Saratoga in 1777 Saratoga

The “Turning Point” of the Revolution: Crossing the Delaware in route to a surprise Near Starvation at Valley Forge, PA in 1778 British Seizure & Burning of New York, 1776 attack Trenton & Princeton, 1776 Theat. Battle of Saratoga, 1777

The French Alliance A lot of. And…England these points were now has to worry turning of the war!! negotiated by. The none other point n Since 1775, the French covertly about a possible (yet remote) than Ben Franklin invasion of England by France aided Americans with supplies n But after the “victory” at Saratoga: Saratoga –France recognized America as a new, independent republic –France promised to pressure England to agree to American In 1778, England offered to remove all independence after war’s end parliamentary legislation & vowed never to impose revenue taxes on the colonists again –France relinquished all of its The Continental Congress refused the offer claims to territory in America

The Final Campaign n By 1781, Washington pushed the Redcoats towards Yorktown (VA) where General Cornwallis was caught between the Continental Army & the French navy n On October 19, 1781 Cornwallis surrendered; the English still controlled NY & Charles Town but the fighting virtually ended

American Victory at Yorktown Cornwallis’ surrender was the “day the world turned upside down”

The Loyalist Dilemma n Loyalists believed in liberty too, but feared that independence would breed anarchy in America n Loyalists were treated poorly: –The English never fully trusted the Loyalists –Patriots seized their property; imprisoned & executed others n More than 100, 000 Loyalists left America when the war ended

The Treaty of Paris, 1783

The Treaty of Paris (1783) n The Treaty of Paris in 1783 was negotiated with England by Franklin, John Adams, John Jay n The terms included: – Full American independence – All territory east of Mississippi River, between Canada & FL – The removal of the British army from U. S. claims in America – Fishing rights in the Atlantic

North America after the Treaty of Paris, 1763

North America after the Treaty of Paris, 1783

Preserving Independence n After 176 years of British rule, the American Revolution began the construction of a new form of government n But. . . will the new United States be a government of the elite or a elite government of the people? people n Question: To what degree did 1776 Question: bring about a social revolution? revolution

American Revolution “What Ifs” For each “What If? ” question, make as many predictions as possible about how American history might have been different n Groups will receive 1 point for each “plausible” alternate “if” n The winning group earns 105, others earn 100, 95, 90, 85… n

What If… The British had lost the French & Indian War?

What If… The British had strictly controlled the colonies & never adopted “Salutary Neglect”?

What If… George Grenville (author of the Sugar & Stamp Acts) had not been appointed Chief Minister?

What If… The Massachusetts colonial assembly had not sent the Circular Letter in response to the Townshend Acts ?

What If… The British East India Company were not in financial ruin?

What If… The British arrested Sam Adams & John Hancock in Lexington as planned?

What If… George Washington wasn’t appointed to head the Continental Army & militias fought the British alone?

What If… The British had won at Saratoga?

What If… The Americans had accepted the British peace offering in 1777?

What If… The French had demanded Louisiana & Canada from the British after the American Revolution?

American Revolution “What Now? ” n Rather than “what if, ” each of the following responses will require a “what now” response: – Make a rational prediction as to the future of the United States

What Now… Trade patterns & the American economy

What Now… The Declaration of Independence proclaimed “all men are created equal”