American Rev II

The American Revolution, 1775-1783

The Combatants

Tale of the Tape • British Advantages –Army of regulars –Top Navy –30,000 Hessians –50,000 American loyalists –Money and supplies

Tale of the Tape • American Advantages –3,000 miles of ocean –Home Turf –Fighting for independence –Leadership –Training in F&I War –Possible French assistance

First Continental Congress • First C.C. convened in Phil. in ‘74 –Statement of grievances to King –Made preparations in MA for fighting –Agreed not to consume British goods –Agreed to meet again in ‘75

The Fighting Begins • Lexington and Concord ‘75 –“The shot heard round the world” –Unclear start to a revolution • Second C.C. meets 3 wks later –GA sends no rep. –Approves “Olive Branch Petition” –Reconciliation begins to appear unlikely

The Shot Heard Round the World

Common Sense Thomas Paine

• Published Jan.’76 • Sold 100,000 copies in first four months • Called for complete split from Britain and its constitution

Declaration of Independence

• Written by Jefferson • Formal break with the crown

When in the Course of Human Events…

Reactions to July 4…

Conducting the War • Despite individual states vying for power, Congress given power to coordinate the war but –Armies raised from state militias –Depended on states volunteering money, Continental money issued rapidly

Phase I: New England ’75-’76 • British driven from Mass (Bunker Hill) • Invasion of British Canada –Quebec assualted –Arnold and Montgomery led • No Canadian revolution • British realize the scope of the revolution

Phase II: The Mid-Atlantic ’76-’78

• Over 30,000 British regulars arrive in New York under Howe (not a fighter) • Success in upstate NY for Burgoyne at first • Washington attacks during winter with limited success • Saratoga –Turning point –Outnumbered Burgoyne forced to surrender

New York City in Flames

Washington Crossing the Delaware

Phase III:The South • Saratoga gave France the confidence to support the Patriots with supplies • Diplomatic recognition followed in ’78 • Britain’s European wars expand • French Navy arrives

Phase III: The South (cont.) • Britain hoped to rely on Loyalists in the south for support • Military commitment by Britain decreases • Yorktown marks last major battle –Cornwallis cornered between land and sea –French-American army surround British

“The World Turn’d Upside Down”

War and Society • Loyalists harassed –Left behind property and estates –Many moved to Canada or Britain • Native-Americans generally opposed the Rev. • Mixed bag for African-Americans

War and Economy • Eco. suffered at first –Trade with Britain cut off –No protection at sea • Eco. diversified by the 1780s –New trading partners –Formation of navy –Some industry forms

Imports/Exports

Articles of Confederation (’81-’89 • Fed. Gov’t consisted of a unicameral Congress (9 out of 13 votes to pass a law) • 13 out of 13 to amend • Rep. frequently absent • Could not tax or raise armies • Northwest Ordinance a success • Shays’ Rebellion shows weaknesses

Treaty of Paris of 1783 • US bordered by Mississippi, Canada, Atlantic, and Florida • Diplomatic recog. by British • British promise to evacuate Ohio Valley • US promises to pay debts

State Constitutions • Guiding principle: Do the opposite of Britain • Republicanism • CN & RI simply changed their colonial charters • Limited executive branch • Most had bicameral legislatures • Property req. for voting

Occupations of Representatives

Toleration and Slavery • Where it was not used, usually abolished • SC and GA refused to halt slave trade • Sep. of Church and State (Statute of Relig. Freedom by Thomas Jefferson of VA)

Washington Resigns from the Army