The America Revolution, 1775-1783

Theme: When hostilities began in 1775, the colonists were still fighting for their rights as British citizens within the empire, but in 1776 they declared their

independence, based on a proclamation of universal, “self-evident” truths. Inspired by revolutionary idealism, they also fought for an end to monarchy and

the establishment of a free republic.

Theme: A combination of Washington’s generalship and British bungling in 1776-1777 prevented a quick British victory and brought French assistance,

which enabled the Patriots to achieve victory after several more years of struggle.

Theme: American independence was recognized by the British only after the conflict has broadened to include much of Europe . American diplomats were

able to secure generous peace terms because of the international political scene: Britain’s recently reorganized government that favored peace and France’s

inability to make good on its promises to Spain.

I. Early Colonial Efforts of Reconciliation

A. 2nd Continental Congress, May 1775-17761. Continental Army

a. G. Washington

B. Early Battles 1775-17761. Fort Ticonderoga & Crown Point2. Breed’s Hill3. Dec. of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms1. Olive Branch Petition

a. Hessians!

2. Boston Evacuated3. Moore’s Creek and Charleston

II. Turning Point, 1776

A. Declaration of Independence1. Loyalty to England

a. Transanlantic communityb. Lack colonial unity

2. Common Sense (500,000 copies!)

1. Independent republic governed by popular consent

3. Richard Henry Lee’s Resolution

4. Authorship5. Impact

a. Foreign Aidb. Loyalists (“Tories”)c. Patriots (“Whigs”)

Declaration of Independenceby John Trumbull

III. War in the NorthA. General Washington, 1776

1. Long Island2. Trenton and Princeton

B. British Offensive, 17771. Battle of Saratoga

a. Burgoyne v. Benedict Arnold2. Battles of Brandywine &

Germantowna. Howe v. General Washington

3. Valley ForgeC. Diplomacy at Work

1. A Model Treaty2. Benjamin Franklin (Anglo-

American reconciliation or American-Franco alliance?)

3. Armed Neutrality, 17804. Battle of Monmouth, 1778

IV. War in the WestA. Native American

Support1. Chief Joseph Brant2. Treaty of Fort

Stanwix3. George Rogers Clark

B. Privateers 1. John Paul Jones2. Capture merchant

ships

V. War in the South, 1778

A. New British Strategy1. Capture of Georgia

2. Capture of Charleston

3. Capture of SC

4. American riflemen and Nathanial Greene

5. Cornwalis at Yorktown

IV. Building a Republic

A. Treaty of Paris (1783)1. American Impact

a. British recognition

b. Huge boundaries

2. British Impacta. Loyalist treatment

b. Pay back loans

3. French Impacta. Relieved but perturbed

b. Revolution

Map QuestionsUse the maps and charts in Chapter 8 to answer the following questions

(answers are on next slide)

1. Revolution in the North, 1775-1776: Which two British strong points in Canada did the American generals Arnold and Montgomery attack in 1775?

2. New York-Pennsylvania Theatre, 1777-1778: When Washington recrossed the Delaware River before the Battle of Trenton on Dec. 26, 1776, which state did he come from, and which state did he go to?

3. New York-Pennsylvania Theatre, 1777-1778: Which of the three British generals who were supposed to meet near Albany, New York moved in the opposite direction and failed to get to the appointed gathering?

4. Britian Against the World: Besides france, which two European nations directly declared war on Britain during the America Revolution?

5. War in the South, 1780-1781: Name three cities in the South occupied at one time or another by General Cornwallis.

6. Georg Rogers Clark’s Campaign, 1778-1779: Which river did George Rogers Clark moved down as he went to conquer western forts from the British?

7. George Rogers Clark’s Campaign, 1778-1779: Which three British posts did Clark capture?

8. Using maps on p. 144 and 154 as a basis, explain why control of the Hudson River-Lake Champlain Valley was strategically crucial to both the British and the Americans in the war.

Answers

1. Montreal and Quebec2. From Pennsylvania to New Jersey3. General Howe4. Spain and Holland5. Any three of the following; Charleston, Wilmington,

Charlottesville, Jamestown, and Yorktown.6. Ohio7. Cahokia, Vincennes, and Kaskaskia8. British would have cut radical New England off from

rest of the colonies. Americans needed the supply route from Canadian frontier.