The American Revolution 1775 1783 May 1775 The

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The American Revolution 1775 -1783

The American Revolution 1775 -1783

May, 1775 • The Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia • 56 delegates meet

May, 1775 • The Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia • 56 delegates meet • How to prepare for the War • June 14 th - George Washington is appointed commanding general of the Continental Army (Over John Adams)

The Battle of Bunker Hill June, 1775 40 % of the British forces were

The Battle of Bunker Hill June, 1775 40 % of the British forces were killed - 1/8 th of all British officers “I wish we could sell them another hill at the same price!”

The Olive Branch Petition July 8 th - The Olive Branch Petition Attempt to

The Olive Branch Petition July 8 th - The Olive Branch Petition Attempt to reconcile with England (John Dickinson) Colonies wanted to: Negotiate trade and taxes Settle trade disputes Either: Free trade and equal taxes Or No taxes and strict trade regulations John Dickinson John Adams mucks this up with a confiscated letter stating war was inevitable John Adams Thomas Jefferson The King’s rejection gave the radicals the thing they needed to push for independence!

Phase I: The Northern Campaign [1775 -1776] May 1775 British cannons and supplies captured

Phase I: The Northern Campaign [1775 -1776] May 1775 British cannons and supplies captured at Fort Ticonderoga (and no where a pencil to be found) Oct. 1775 Montgomery and Arnold invade Canada Dec. 31 Montgomery killed and Arnold wounded trying to capture Quebec No more Canadian attacks!

Washington’s Woes Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for

Washington’s Woes Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral]. State/colony loyalties. Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben] Von Steuben from Prussia

Military Strategies The Americans Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. Guerilla tactics

Military Strategies The Americans Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. Guerilla tactics [fight an insurgent war - you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down] Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies. The British Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So. Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. “Divide and Conquer” the Loyalists. use

Thomas Paine: Common Sense Simply “common sense” to stop recognizing the “royal brute” King

Thomas Paine: Common Sense Simply “common sense” to stop recognizing the “royal brute” King George III America should break all ties with England -A colonial best seller -over 100, 000 copies sold -written in common language so everyone could understand the struggle for independence

This nation was destined to show the whole world how people could rule themselves

This nation was destined to show the whole world how people could rule themselves and be free of the tyranny of kings and nobles! It is believed next to King George, Thomas Paine was most responsible for the Declaration of Independence!

Declaration of Independence For three weeks, a committee worked on the resolution • Thomas

Declaration of Independence For three weeks, a committee worked on the resolution • Thomas Jefferson - Virginia • Ben Franklin - Pennsylvania • John Adams - Massachusetts -clear statement of colonial beliefs - The Preamble - opening - was a collection of writings from various books and documents Based on the respectable ideals of English government

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, Introduction When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. Preamble 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. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Body (pt 2) In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress

Body (pt 2) In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. Ending We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

 • • • The Document was “mutilated” and adopted July 4, 1776 (-25%)

• • • The Document was “mutilated” and adopted July 4, 1776 (-25%) Issue of slavery subtracted 56 men will eventually sign it - not all were present in July Over 100 copies were created for distribution Only 24 remain in existence • It would become a model for other nations later in history

Phase II: NY & PA [1777 -1778] • • • Washington lured the British

Phase II: NY & PA [1777 -1778] • • • Washington lured the British out of New York, but low supplies and ill equipped men led to a retreat New York City burned in 1776 British chase Washington New Jersey fell to the Redcoats Dec 24 th, 1776 - Battle of Trenton, NJ 4 colonials dead, 900 British soldiers (Hessians) captured Jan 3, 1777 - The Battle of Princeton Valley Forge for the winter where Washington’s troops froze - literally!

The Battle of Saratoga - The turning point of the war? ? The British

The Battle of Saratoga - The turning point of the war? ? The British attempt to invade the colonies from Canada Plan: To capture Albany, control the Hudson then control the New England States The Continentals breached the British supply lines and cut off the British from needed men The British surrendered Oct 17, 1777 Significance? Colonial victory convinced the French to join the war effort giving the colonies the needed push towards victory

Britain’s Southern Plan Britain thought there were more Loyalists in the Southern resources were

Britain’s Southern Plan Britain thought there were more Loyalists in the Southern resources were more valuable/ worth preserving. The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside Good US General: Nathanial Greene

The Battle of Yorktown - 1781 Late Summer • Washington and Rochambeau march southward

The Battle of Yorktown - 1781 Late Summer • Washington and Rochambeau march southward from NY to British encampment at Yorktown • Admiral Comte de Grasse (commander of French Fleet) in Chesapeake Bay cut off British reinforcements • Three weeks of shelling on the British position

October 19, 1781 The British surrender. The Revolution was over! Prime Minister Lord North“My

October 19, 1781 The British surrender. The Revolution was over! Prime Minister Lord North“My God! It is all over!” The Peace Process began in 1782 and ended in September 1783!

Terms Treaty of Paris 1783 – Preface. Declares the treaty to be "in the

Terms Treaty of Paris 1783 – Preface. Declares the treaty to be "in the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity, " states the bona fides of the signatories, and declares the intention of both parties to "forget all past misunderstandings and differences" and "secure to both perpetual peace and harmony. " • Recognizing the 13 colonies to be free, sovereign and independent States, and that his Majesty relinquishes all claims to the Government, propriety, and territorial rights of the same, and every part thereof; • Establishing the boundaries between the United States and British North America • Granting fishing rights to United States fishermen off New. Foundland the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence; • Recognizing the lawful contracted debts to be paid to creditors on either side;

 • The Congress of the Confederation will "earnestly recommend" to state legislatures to

• The Congress of the Confederation will "earnestly recommend" to state legislatures to recognize the rightful owners of all confiscated lands "provide for the restitution of all estates, rights, and properties, which have been confiscated belonging to real British subjects [Loyalists]"; • United States will prevent future confiscations of the property of Loyalists • Prisoners of War on both sides are to be released and all property left by the British army in the United States unmolested (including slaves); • Great Britain and the United States were each to be given perpetual access to the Mississippi River • Territories captured by Americans subsequent to treaty will be returned without compensation; • Ratification of the treaty was to occur within six months from the signing by the contracting parties. • Spain received East and West Florida under separate Anglo-Spanish agreement

North America after Treaty of Paris 1783

North America after Treaty of Paris 1783