Essential Question: What factors caused the British to fail in what should have been an easy campaign to subdue the American rebels?

RQ 7A (202-217)

The Decision to Fight For Independence

Decision for IndependenceThe Lexington & Concord skirmish was the 1st of a series of conflicts from 1775 to 1776 before the American call for independence:Fighting erupted around Boston, NY, Charlestown, & Quebec The 2nd Continental Congress met to organize a war plan King George declared the colonists in open rebellion The Battle of Bunker Hill (Breeds Hill) demonstrated that Americans were willing to stand up to a pitched battle In early 1776, both Spain & France began shipping war supplies to colonists Despite growing calls for independence, the congress issued the Olive Branch Petition to King George in July 1775King George rejected the Olive Branch Petition in August 1775

Battle of Bunker Hill (Breeds Hill); June 17, 1775 With over 1,000 casualties, the British suffered their greatest losses of the Revolution at Bunker HillA few more such victories would have shortly put an end to British dominion in AmericaBritish General Henry Clinton

Decision for IndependenceBy 1776, the 2nd Continental Congress served as an informal national govt for the coloniesBut the majority of colonists were undecided about independence Thomas Paines Common Sense proved to be the key factor in convincing Americans to support colonial independenceChallenged royal infallibilityPersuaded ordinary people to sever ties with England & its royal brute

By 1776, colonial sentiment had changedOn June 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee of VA introduced a resolution to the Continental Congress: that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States... After several days of debate, Congress appointed a committee to draft a declaration of independence

Declaration of Independence (1776)Committee to draft the Declaration: Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston, & Roger Sherman

Decision for IndependenceOn July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted for independence On July 4, the Declaration of Independence was signed; The Declarations purpose was to:Justify the Americans desire to separate from EnglandArticulate the principles on which the new nation would be established Democratic ideals (republicanism)Natural rights & individual liberty

Independence Hall at the Second Continental CongressThe Declaration of Independence was NOT signed like this!

The Decision for Independence The colonists were divided about this decision for independence:Supporters of independence were called Patriots or WhigsColonists that opposed independence were called Loyalists or ToriesThere were many neutral colonists who were conflicted by the prospect of independence

Patriots vs. LoyalistsWhere are the Loyalists?Why are Loyalists near cities?Why is the backcountry so contested?Why are Indians loyalists?

Fighting the Warfor Independence

The Outbreak of RevolutionThe British entered the war confident of a complete victory:Their army was 400% larger; well-trained solders, experienced officers, & Hessian mercenariesStrong manufacturing baseThe worlds most dominant navyBelieved the 1776 battles were a police action & the show of force would force rebels to submit

The Outbreak of RevolutionIn reality, England faced an impossible task:Their long supply lines across the Atlantic would not be able to provide timely provisions The American terrain was largeTo win, the English had to find & defeat the Continental Army Underestimated the colonial commitment to independence

The American Revolution, 1775-1781Where was the American Revolution fought?

Building a Professional ArmyWashingtons task was to defend as much territory as possible:Relied on guerrilla tactics & avoided all-out-war with Britain Washingtons Continental Army served as the symbol of the republican causeBut, colonial militias played a major role in forcing neutrals to support the RevolutionAs long as England did not defeat the Continental Army, England could not win

Slaves & Indians in the WarBlack slaves supported whoever seemed likely to deliver freedom:Northern slaves supported the colonists who offered freedom for any slave who foughtSouthern slaves typically supported BritainNative Americans feared colonial expansion & overwhelmingly supported Britain

The Variety of Colonial Soldiers The Continental Army had 2 all-black regiments composed of Northern slaves

Women in the WarWomens role in the revolution:Supported their husbands & sons in enlisting in militias Ran business affairs & continued boycotting English goods while men fought (i.e. Abigail Adams)Created propaganda (political satires by Mercy Otis Warren)Some helped in the battlefield (Molly Pitcher)

Differing Military StrategiesThe AmericansThe BritishWin a war of attritionEngland had long supply lines Colonials did not have to win just had to wear down the British Guerilla tactics Make an alliance with one of Britains enemiesDivide & ConquerUse LoyalistsEncourage slave revoltsSeize property Break the colonies in half by dividing the North & South Blockade the ports to prevent trade with American allies

The Early Years: 1776-1777The initial battles of the revolution went badly for Americans: British General Howe forced Washington to retreat at New York putting the Americans on the runGen Howe issued a general pardon to all Americans who swore an oath of allegiance to George III; thousands did soColonial militias retaliated against those who deserted the patriot cause

The Early Years: 1776-1777The British strategy remained to fight a major & decisive battle; but Continental Army was elusiveDespite British victories & 1,000s of colonial oaths of allegiance, Washington kept fightingWon small victories that renewed American wartime moraleWon at Saratoga in 1777Howe captured New YorkCaptured PhiladelphiaWashingtons army almost starved at Valley ForgeTook TrentonTook Princeton

British Seizure & Burning of New York, 1776 Crossing the Delaware in route to a surprise attack at Trenton & Princeton, 1776 The Turning Point of the Revolution: The Battle of Saratoga, 1777Near Starvation at Valley Forge, PA in 1778

The French AllianceSince 1775, the French covertly aided Americans with suppliesBut after the victory at Saratoga:France recognized America as a new, independent republicFrance promised to pressure England to agree to American independence after wars end France relinquished all of its claims to territory in AmericaThe turning point of the war!!A lot of these points were negotiated by none other than Ben FranklinAndEngland now has to worry about a possible (yet remote) invasion of England by FranceThe Continental Congress refused the offerIn 1778, England offered to remove all parliamentary legislation & vowed never to impose revenue taxes on the colonists again

The Final CampaignBy 1781, Washington pushed the Redcoats towards Yorktown (VA) where General Cornwallis was caught between the Continental Army & the French navy On October 19, 1781 Cornwallis surrendered; the English still controlled NY & Charles Town but the fighting virtually ended

American Victory at YorktownCornwallis surrender was the day the world turned upside down

The Loyalist DilemmaLoyalists believed in liberty too, but feared that independence would breed anarchy in AmericaLoyalists were treated poorly:The English never fully trusted the LoyalistsPatriots seized their property; imprisoned & executed othersMore than 100,000 Loyalists left America when the war ended

The Treaty of Paris, 1783

The Treaty of Paris (1783)The Treaty of Paris in 1783 was negotiated with England by Franklin, John Adams, John JayThe terms included:Full American independence All territory east of Mississippi River, between Canada & FLThe removal of the British army from U.S. claims in AmericaFishing rights in the Atlantic

North America after the Treaty of Paris, 1763

North America after the Treaty of Paris, 1783

Preserving IndependenceAfter 176 years of British rule, the American Revolution began the construction of a new form of governmentBut...will the new United States be a government of the elite or a government of the people?HW: To what degree did 1776 bring about a social revolution?

Lesson Plan for September 3, 2008: RQ 7A, American Revolution Notes, Women in Am Rev doc analysis to conclude class, give Effects of Am Rev reading for HW2020

21But Washington avoided general actions (all-out war) against Britain; understood importance of keeping Continental Army intact22242526272829