The American Revolution 1776- 1783 Steps to American Revolution French and Indian War British Parliament Passes

es new laws American Colonist take action Parliament passes Townshend Act Boston Massacre Tea Act Boston Tea Party Intolerable Acts American Colonist take action Lexington and Concord 2nd Continental Congress Battle of Bunker Hill Colonist React French and Indian War -Fought between the English and French over control of the land in North America. -The English wanted to push west, but the French blocked them. The war started over land disputes between the two nations. -Each side used Native Americans to help fight the war. -The Albany Congress: 1754 -At the beginning of the war, the English colonies sent delegates to a meeting held in Albany, New York. -Iroquois Indians were also present. -Ben Franklin proposed a plan for unifying the English colonies. King George III King of England. Instrumental in ending the French and Indian War in 1763. Strong supporter of taxing the colonies to pay for the debt. He opposed any compromise with the colonial government in America. After losing of the colonies, he withdrew his efforts at personal government and went insane. The Road To War The Sons of Liberty organized meetings across the north, opposed what they considered British abuses Sons of Liberty was a secret society formed in protest of British rule. They had a large role in the repeal of the Stamp Act and the Boston Tea Party. 9 original members which included the leaders Samuel Adams and Paul Revere Broke salutary neglect Differences: high taxes and abuses vs. payment for war, not following rules, cost of government Proclamation Line of 1763

Sugar Act and Stamp Act Townshend Act Boston Massacre, 1770 Committees of Correspondence Tea Tax and Boston Tea Party, 1773

Road to Revolution Proclamation of 1763 Prohibited colonials to move west of the Appalachians British aim: Settle land disputes with Amerindians fairly to prevent future uprisings like Pontiac's Rebellion. Colonials infuriated Many veterans had fought in the war and felt betrayed Land speculators believed Americans should have access to lands. Colonists generally ignored the Proclamation Sugar Acts, 1764 (updated version of Molasses Act of 1733) a. First act ever passed specifically that raised revenue for the crown. b. Aimed to regulate the illegal triangular trade by collecting duties that the colonists had not paid for many years. c. Reduced taxes on molasses but taxed all molasses, not just molasses from French West Indies. d. Not enforced effectively; duties eventually lowered after Stamp Act crisis. Road to Revolution The Stamp Act of 1765 -- Perhaps the single most important event leading to the American Revolution 1. Purpose: Raise revenues to support new military force in the colonies 2. Provisions: a. Official stamps on paper would serve as proof of payment. b. Tax applied to published materials and legal documents e.g., pamphlets, newspapers, diplomas, bills of lading, marriage certificates, death certificates, mortgages, insurance policies, liquor licenses, & playing cards. c. Both Sugar Act and Stamp Act provided for trying offenders in admiralty courts where juries were not allowed -- Burden of proof on defendants; were assumed guilty unless proved innocent. Townshend Acts (1767) 1. Charles Townshend took control of Parliament and sought to Punish the colonies for the Stamp Act uprising. 2. Provisions: a. Small import duty placed on glass, white lead, paper, paint, silk and tea. -- Tax was an indirect customs duty ("external tax") b. Revenues from taxes to pay salaries of royal governors and judges c. Established a commission and vice-admiralty courts for enforcement.

-- Royal judges would be allowed to grant "writs of assistance in private homes, shops or warehouses. Boston "Massacre" a. (Peaceful) arrival of troops in Boston aroused American resistance -- Colonials fearful of standing armies; believed Britain sought to suppress colonial liberties. b. March 5, 1770 British soldiers (having been provoked) fired on a crowd I. Eleven civilians killed or wounded ii. Crispus Attucks, a mulatto merchant seaman, the "first to die in the revolution," and alleged leader of the unruly mob. iii. Word of the "massacre" spread throughout the colonies (esp. by Sons of Liberty) iv. Colonial propaganda grossly exaggerated the event. An eyewitness account "An unruly gang of civilians (colonists), to the amount of thirty or forty, mostly boys and many of them drunk, left a local tavern and saw a regiment of British soldiers. The gang assembled ... near the sentry at the Custom-house door, began taunting the British, calling them names and throwing snow balls, along with horse manure and ice balls ... I saw a party of soldiers come from the main guard, and draw themselves up ... the people still continued in the street, crying, 'Fire, fire, and be damned,' and threw more snow balls. British Captain Preston could not control the crowd as they taunted the soldiers. He ordered his troops "Dont fire!" but with the commotion I heard the word 'fire' given ... and instantly the soldiers fired one after another." The troops fired and killed three men instantly; another two died later. The first man to die was Crispus Attucks, a black man. When the smoke and confusion cleared, five Bostonians were dead or dying. John Adams, a lawyer (and future President), helped win acquittal for six of the soldiers, but his cousin, Sam Adams, a patriot leader, called the incident a "plot to massacre the inhabitants of Boston" and was used to rouse fellow colonists to rebel. Boston Tea Party, Dec. 16, 1773 -- Sons of Liberty, dressed as Indians, boarded three ships, smashed 342 chests open, and dumped the tea into the harbor. No Turning Back, 1774-6 -British reacted to Boston Tea Party A. Intolerable Acts 1774 Parliament passed the Coercive Acts to punish Boston. B. Boston Port Act: harbor remained closed until damages were paid and law and order restored. -1st Continental Congress, 1774 a. In response to "Intolerable Acts," the committees of correspondence urged the colonies to act quickly. b. Bostonians agreed to end all trade with Great Britain and invited other colonies to join the resistance. c. First Continental Congress deliberated from in the fall of 1774 i. 12 of 13 colonies present (except Georgia)

ii. Delegates included S. Adams, J. Adams, G. Washington, & Patrick Henry. d. 1st Step: endorse several resolutions known as the Suffolk Resolves. Colonial Nationalism Common Experiences Military Service British troops Print Media Socio-cultural Anti-Indianism Americanism The Shot Heard around World Lexington and Concord -- "The Shot Heard around the World" a. Parliament ordered General Gage, new Gov. of Massachusetts to arrest leaders of the rebellion and prepare for military action. -- Gage sought to prevent bloodshed by disarming the local militia. b. April 1775, 700 British redcoats sent secretly to nearby Lexington & Concord to seize gunpowder and arrest Sam Adams & John Hancock. -- Paul Revere and William Dawes warned the militia (Minutemen). c. Battle of Lexington and Concord began when Minutemen refused to disperse on Lexington Green and shots were fired. i. 8 Americans killed, 10 wounded. Who fired the first shot? ii. Redcoats continued on to Concord. 6 miles away. d. Concord -- British forced to retreat by American reinforcements i. Militia picked-off British soldiers as they retreated to Boston ii. By days end, 273 British casualties; 95 American e. Minutemen encamped outside the city and lay siege to Boston. The Revolution Second Continental Congress -- May 10, 1775 A. All 13 colonies present -- delegates still not interested in independence but rather redressing of grievances (conservative position). B. Most significant act of Congress: Decided to go to war; elected George Washington to head of the Continental Army. -- Selection largely political Northerners wanted to bring Virginia into the war. Bunker Hill Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 1. Colonials seized Breed's Hill -- commanded a strong position overlooking Boston. 2. Over 1,000 oncoming Redcoats in ill-conceived frontal assault were mowed down by 1,500 American riflemen.

-- Americans had 140 killed and 441 wounded. 3. Americans ran out of gunpowder and were forced to abandon the hill in disorder. 4. Viewed as American victory due to Britains heavy losses 5. Bloodiest battle of the War for Independence 6. British Army left Boston to conduct the war from New York. Thomas Paine Thomas Paines Common Sense (published early 1776) 1. Became an instant best-seller in the colonies; effective propaganda 2. Main ideas: a. Britain's colonial policies were inconsistent; independence was the only course b. Nowhere in the physical universe did a smaller heavenly body control a larger one. Why should tiny England control huge North America? c. King was nothing more than the "Royal Brute of Great Britain. d. America had a sacred mission; moral obligation to the world to set up an independent, democratic republic, untainted by association with corrupt monarchical Britain. 3. Persuaded Congress to go all the way for independence a. Could not hope for aid from France unless they declared independence b. France not interested in colonial reconstruction under Britain Declaration of Independence A. June 7, 1776, Philadelphia Congress, Richard Henry Lee proposed independence. 1. "These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states..." 2. Motion was adopted on July 2, 1776 3. Yet, formal explanation was needed to rally resistance at home and invite foreign nations to aid the American cause, especially France. B. Congress appointed Committee on Independence to prepare an Appropriate statement shortly after Lee's speech. 1. Task given to a committee that chose Thomas Jefferson. -- Other members: B. Franklin, J. Adams, Roger Sherman, & Robert Livingston 2. Some debate and amendment had preceded its adoption especially an anti-slavery clause which was heavily modified with some portions being removed. a. Jefferson had blamed England for continuing the slave trade despite colonial wishes (and despite his owning slaves). b. Yet, southerners in particular still favored slavery and dismissed the clause. 3. Declaration not addressed to England; U.S. didn't expect a response from the king. 4. Declaration of Independence formally approved on July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence A. Declaration of Independence had three major parts: 1. Preamble (heavily influenced by John Locke) a. Stated the rights of colonists to break away if natural rights were violated: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (property) b. Stated "all men are created equal"

2. List of 27 grievances of the colonies (seen by Congress as most important part) a. Underwent the most changes from the original draft (24) b. Charged King with imposing taxes without colonials' consent, eliminating trial by jury, military dictatorship, maintaining standing armies in peacetime, cutting off trade, burning towns, hiring mercenaries, & inciting Amerindian violence. 3. Formal declaration of independence a. Officially broke ties with England b. "United States" officially an independent country B. Result: Foreign aid could now be successfully solicited The Contenders Britain -Wealth -Confidence -Professional Army -Firepower -Navy -Distance & supplies Colonists -Home turf -Defensive War -French -Dispersed population -Size of region -Local noncombatants Patriots Patriots & Loyalists A. John Adams claimed that 1/3 of colonists were Patriots, 1/3 were Loyalists and 1/3 were neutral. (This number is difficult to verify but is useful anyway). B. Loyalists (Tories) = about 20% of the American people 1. Colonists who fought for return to colonial rule; loyal to king. 2. Conservative: educated and wealthy; fearful of mob rule. 3. Included the older generation; younger generation was more revolutionary 4. Included king's officers and other beneficiaries of the crown Patriots 1. Sometimes called "whigs" (named after British opposition party) 2. American rebels who fought both British soldiers and loyalists 3. Most numerous in New England 4. Constituted a minority movement 5. More adept at gaining support from colonials 6. Financing: Robert Morris, the financier of the Revolution helped Congress finance the war.

About 80,000 Loyalists fled the colonies. 1. Loyalists regarded by Patriots as traitors. 2. Their estates were confiscated and sold; these funds helped finance the war 3. 50,000 fought for the British The War The War in 1776-1777: Britain changed its focus to the mid-Atlantic states A. Battle of Long Island (Summer & Fall 1776) 1. Washingtons army escaped from Long Island to Manhattan and then NJ. 2. British lost a great opportunity to crush the Americans early. B. Battle of Trenton (Dec. 1776) 1. Washington crossed the icy Delaware River on Dec. 26, 1776 2. At Trenton, surprised and captured about 1,000 Hessians who were sleeping off their Christmas party. C. Battle of Princeton (Jan. 1777) 1. One week later, Washington defeated a smaller British force at Princeton 2. British forced to pull his outposts back to New York 3. Trenton and Princeton was a gamble by Washington to achieve quick victories to revive the disintegrating Continental Army. Battle of Saratoga Battle of Saratoga (most important battle of the American Revolution). 1. British sought to capture New York and sever New England from the U.S. 2. Benedict Arnold saved New England by slowing down British invasion of New York 3. General Burgoyne surrendered entire command at Saratoga on Oct. 17, 1777 to American General Horatio Gates. 4. Saratoga one of history's most decisive battles a. Made possible French aid which ultimately ensured American independence. b. Spanish & Dutch eventually entered war; England faced with world war. c. Saratoga revived the faltering colonial cause Alliances America is Allied With France A. Why France? i. France was eager for revenge against Britain for the Seven Years War ii. They believed that if Britain were stripped of their North American colonies, Britain would cease to be a major power iii. America badly needed help in the struggle to defeat the British B. Why not France? The rebellious Americans also harbored revolutionary ideas about international affairs. John Adams, as well as others, wanted: 1. No political connections 2. No military connections 3.Only commercial connections with foreign countries ii. They also wanted: 1. Free trade

2. Freedom of the seas 3. End to colonialism 4. End to mercantilism Alliances Benjamin Franklin in France i. Benjamin Franklin was sent to France in 1776 to negotiate the alliance with the French and the eventual treaty of peace ii. He was determined that his very appearance should achieve the diplomatic revolution the Americans hoped to achieve 1. Instead of the customary ceremonial sword, he used a plain, white walking stick 2. Instead of fancy robes and wigs, he sported homespun garments and a simple fur cap 3. Parisians adored hum as a specimen of a new democratic order The British Offer Home Rule (1777) i. After the British defeat at Saratoga in 1777, Parliament passed a measure that offered the Americans home rule within the empire ii. Franklin played skillfully on French fears of Anglo-American reconciliation iii. On February 6, 1778, France signed a treaty of alliance with the Americans: 1. Both sides would wage war until the United States had fully secured its freedom AND 2. Both agreed to terms with the common enemy e. Immediate Results of the Treaty (1778) i. The treaty constituted an official recognition of Americas independence ii. It lent powerful military might to the Patriot cause iii. The Revolutionary War became a world war Battle of Yorktown Dark Days 1780-1781 i. Inflation of currency continued at a fast pace ii. The government was nearly bankrupt iii. They declared that it would repay many of its debts at the rate of only 2.5 cents on the dollar iv. The sense of unity was withering v. Mutinous sentiments infected the army General Cornwallis in Yorktown i. General Charles Cornwallis was a member of Parliament and military leader (he even opposed the tax measures that led to the American Revolution) ii. After futile operations in VA, he fell back to the Chesapeake Bay at Yorktown to await seaborne supplies and reinforcements iii. He assumed Britain would continue to control the sea, but for a few weeks, British naval superiority slipped

Battle of Yorktown (1781) i. French Admiral de Grasse, operating with a powerful fleet in the West Indies, advised the Americans that he was free to join with them in an assault on Cornwallis at Yorktown ii. General Washington made a swift march of more than 300 miles to the Chesapeake from the New York area iii. Accompanied by Rochambeaus French army, Washington surrounded the British by land, while de Grasse blockaded them by sea after beating off the British fleet iv. Cornwallis surrendered his entire force of 7,000 men on October 19, 1781 The End Treaty of Paris of 1783: Britain formally recognized U.S. independence 1. Granted the U.S. huge boundaries stretching to the Mississippi River in the west, the Great Lakes in the north, and to Spanish Florida in the south a. Americans were allowed to retain a share in the valuable Newfoundland fisheries. b. British promised its troops would not take slaves from America. 2. American concessions: a. Loyalists could not be further persecuted b. Congress was to recommend to state legislatures that confiscated Loyalist property be restored c. American states were bound to pay back British creditors for pre-revolutionary debts d. U.S. did not comply with many of these concessions and it later became a partial cause of the War of 1812 against Britain. 3. France approved the British-American terms (officially, no separate Franco-American peace occurred) 4. America alone gained from the war a. Britain lost colonies and other territories b. France became bankrupt; led in part to the French Revolution. c. Spain gained little Rebellions Within the Rebellion December 1781: over 400 Penn militia marched on Congress in Philadelphia to protest lack of pay, hunger, treatment. 1782: 200 New Jersey militia protested, Washington sent 600, hanged two Near civil war in Maryland, Delaware, North and South Carolina, Georgia Women & African Americans Worked in camps on the lines Molly Pitcher Spies, messengers Promises of freedom 5,000 for U.S., workers, few soldiers Rarely armed South feared of rebellions

Significance for Indians 200,000 east of Miss Wanted neutrality Most helped BR Five Tribes pro-BR Iroquois split Joseph Brandt, Mohawk Catawba's pro-U.S.

Legacy for Indians Generally thought it was not their war War for liberty and independence took liberty and independence away from Indians War against colonial oppression led to colonization and oppression of Indians by the U.S. government Soldiers paid with Indian land, not free land Indians erased from history due to Paris Peace Treaty and the idea that the war was fought ONLY between colonists and British General Conclusions 70% of those signing the Declaration held offices in British colonial government Class dimensions during War Shift from British control to control by new American elites Strengthened southern slavery War for political ideals, philosophy Createdslowlypossibilities for groups to express their grievances and struggle for equality