SSUSH 4 The student will identify the ideological

SSUSH 4 The student will identify the ideological, military, and diplomatic aspects of the American Revolution

The Declaration of Independence • Author: Thomas Jefferson • Signed July 4, 1776 • A “break up letter to England”

John Locke • An English philosopher whose ideas were borrowed by Jefferson that were presented in the Declaration of Independence. • Locke’s Ideas – “Life, liberty and property” – If the government is oppressive, the people have the right to overthrow the government and create a new government.

Declaration of Independence 1. Basic Rights • Born with inalienable rights –life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. • All men are created equal – egalitarianism • If the government become tyrannical (too powerful and oppressive), the PEOPLE have the right to overthrow the government and establish a new government.

2. Grievances • Complaints about the King • They provided a long list of complaints to justify their actions. • Largest part of the Declaration of Independence.

3. Colonists’ Intentions • They intend to establish a independent country free from England. • The country will have sovereign power to create laws, make treaties, and to declare war.

Declaration of Independence • Complete the Reading activity.

The American Revolution Strengths of the Americans Weaknesses of the Americans 1. A belief in a cause 1. Fighting the number one military force in the world. 2. Fighting on homeland 2. The American soldiers were… 3. Assistance from France – France furnished America with arms, supplies, and eventually men. q Unskilled q Undisciplined q Underfed q Under clothed q Under armed q Low Enrollment

France Provides Aid • Goods – At first France would not provide troops; however, they did provide arms. • Leaders – Marquis de Lafayette – a Frenchman who offered his service to America during the American Revolution. He fought and served with George Washington. – Benjamin Franklin is the Ambassador to France to encourage their support.

(Cont’d) • Troops – After the Battle of Saratoga, the French provided troops because they thought the US had a chance of beating the British.

General George Washington • Military Leader – The Second Continental Congress named George Washington as the Commander and Chief of the Continental Army.

Washington (Cont’d) • Common Soldiers – Unskilled – Undisciplined – Underfed • Accomplishments – With the disadvantages, Washington became one of the greatest military leaders. – Maintained his army against the mighty Red Coats to defeat the British

Valley Forge • During the first winter, as fighting slowed Washington trained his troops. • The American soldiers improved.

The British’s Key Military Leader • Lord Cornwallis – Victorious in the Southern Colonies - Later he was Captured by Washington’s men and the French

Key Battles of the American Revolution

Crossing the Delaware • December 25, 1776 • Washington led his troops across the Delaware River to launch an attack against the Hessians at Trenton, NJ. • It was a surprise attack because it was during winter, at night, during a sleet storm, on Christmas.

The Battle of Yorktown • Yorktown, Virginia - on a peninsula • Washington marched his troops by land to surround Cornwallis. • The French established a blockade to surround Cornwallis at sea. • Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown which ended the American Revolution.

The Treaty of Paris 1783 • Technically ended the American Revolution. • Britain officially recognized the independence of the United States.