America Secedes From America Secedes From The Empire 1775-1783The Empire 1775-1783

AP US HistoryAP US HistoryChapter 8Chapter 8

22ndnd Continental Congress Continental Congress (1775)(1775)

Goal:Goal: To have their grievances redressed To have their grievances redressed by the king and parliament.by the king and parliament.

Colonists are still Colonists are still not looking for Independencenot looking for Independence

What did they do?What did they do?1.1. Raise funds for an Army and NavyRaise funds for an Army and Navy2.2. Appoint George Washington over Continental Appoint George Washington over Continental

ArmyArmy3.3. Issued CurrencyIssued Currency

Bunker Hill and Hessian Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings (Early Victories)Hirelings (Early Victories)

June 1775, June 1775, On the 3On the 3rdrd attempt the British attempt the British captured captured Bunker Hill.Bunker Hill.

British suffered significant casualties (1/3 of deployed British suffered significant casualties (1/3 of deployed force)force)

Olive Branch Petition:Olive Branch Petition: July 1775 the Continental Congress professed American July 1775 the Continental Congress professed American

loyalty and begged the king to prevent further warfareloyalty and begged the king to prevent further warfare After Bunker Hill King George III slammed the door After Bunker Hill King George III slammed the door

on reconciliation.on reconciliation.

1.1. Declared colonies rebellious in August 1775 (Now Treason) Declared colonies rebellious in August 1775 (Now Treason) with the with the Prohibitory ActProhibitory Act

2.2. Hired Hired HessiansHessians to help crush the colonial uprising to help crush the colonial uprising

The Abortive Conquest of The Abortive Conquest of CanadaCanada

Goal:Goal: Success would add a 14 Success would add a 14thth colony and colony and deprive Britain from a northern base of deprive Britain from a northern base of attack.attack.

Problem:Problem: Contradicted the claim that Contradicted the claim that colonists were fighting defensively for colonists were fighting defensively for redress of their grievancesredress of their grievances

Outcome:Outcome: Almost successful but turned Almost successful but turned back at their attack on Quebecback at their attack on Quebec

Thomas Paine Preaches Thomas Paine Preaches Common SenseCommon Sense

Why did American’s continue to deny Why did American’s continue to deny any intention of Independence?any intention of Independence?

1.1. Loyalty was deeply engrainedLoyalty was deeply engrained2.2. Colonial unity was still poor (Getting better)Colonial unity was still poor (Getting better)3.3. Open rebellion was treason = deathOpen rebellion was treason = death

Why did the Americans mindset Why did the Americans mindset change?change?

1.1. Brutal/violent acts of the BritishBrutal/violent acts of the British2.2. Burning of Falmouth, MaineBurning of Falmouth, Maine3.3. Hiring Hessians Hiring Hessians

Thomas Paine: Thomas Paine: Common Common SenseSense

Thomas Paine:Thomas Paine: Author of Author of Common SenseCommon Sense (1776). He was a radical thinker.(1776). He was a radical thinker.

Thought:Thought: Believed that the only Believed that the only lawful stateslawful states were those that derive were those that derive

““their just powers from the consent of the governed”their just powers from the consent of the governed”

Importance:Importance: He convinced the American people that their true cause He convinced the American people that their true cause

was independence rather than reconciliationwas independence rather than reconciliation

Independence vs. Independence vs. ReconciliationReconciliation

1.1. W/O independence as their goal they would W/O independence as their goal they would get no foreign aideget no foreign aide

2.2. The colonists are beginning to interpret the The colonists are beginning to interpret the vengeful royal acts of previous decades as a vengeful royal acts of previous decades as a monarchical conspiracy to strip them of their monarchical conspiracy to strip them of their libertiesliberties as British subjects as British subjects

3.3. Still not everyone wanted a full Still not everyone wanted a full radical radical republicrepublic

Reason:Reason: It brought more equality to everyone, aristocratic It brought more equality to everyone, aristocratic individuals still wanted their voice to be heard loudest.individuals still wanted their voice to be heard loudest.

““these United States are, and of right these United States are, and of right out to be, free and independent out to be, free and independent states.” states.”

Richard Henry Lee (June 7, 1776)Richard Henry Lee (June 7, 1776)

Jefferson’s “explanation” of Jefferson’s “explanation” of IndependenceIndependence

Declaration of Independence:Declaration of Independence: July 4, 1776 “world’s greatest editorial”July 4, 1776 “world’s greatest editorial” Written by Thomas JeffersonWritten by Thomas Jefferson

Argued for the natural rights of humankind (Locke)Argued for the natural rights of humankind (Locke) Listed the misdeeds of King George IIIListed the misdeeds of King George III

Result:Result: 1.1. Clear break from BritainClear break from Britain. . 2.2. Colonies are officially rebels. Colonies are officially rebels. 3.3. Foreign assistance possible. Foreign assistance possible. 4.4. UNITYUNITY is now is now vital for success!vital for success!

Patriots and LoyalistsPatriots and LoyalistsPatriotsPatriots WhigsWhigs American rebels American rebels

sympathetic to the sympathetic to the cause of Independencecause of Independence

Minority MovementMinority Movement Mainly found in NE Mainly found in NE

where self-gov is where self-gov is strong and strong and mercantilism is weakmercantilism is weak

LoyalistsLoyalists ToriesTories Americans Americans

sympathetic to the sympathetic to the crowncrown

Generally older Generally older individualsindividuals

WealthyWealthy AnglicanAnglican Southerners/NYSoutherners/NY

Patriots vs. LoyalistsPatriots vs. Loyalists We see major differences between We see major differences between

patriots and loyalists in major areaspatriots and loyalists in major areas

EconomicsEconomics ReligionReligion GeographyGeography AgeAge

General Washington At BayGeneral Washington At Bay Battle of Long IslandBattle of Long Island

Patriots were routed (seized by fear) and Patriots were routed (seized by fear) and Washington barley escaped to NJWashington barley escaped to NJ

General William Howe (British)General William Howe (British) did not pursue did not pursue (winter fighting) he remembered his losses at (winter fighting) he remembered his losses at Bunker Hill.Bunker Hill.

Washington re-crossed the Delaware River and Washington re-crossed the Delaware River and captured a group of 1,000 Hessians. captured a group of 1,000 Hessians.

A week later he defeated a small British detachment the A week later he defeated a small British detachment the same waysame way

These two victories brought success to the NJ These two victories brought success to the NJ campaign and made a name for “Old Fox” campaign and made a name for “Old Fox” WashingtonWashington

Trenton and PrincetonTrenton and Princeton

General John Burgoyne’s General John Burgoyne’s Blundering InvasionBlundering Invasion

Purpose:Purpose: The British want to separate The British want to separate NE from the other colonies by capturing NE from the other colonies by capturing the Hudson River Valley (1777). the Hudson River Valley (1777).

This would paralyze the Rebel causeThis would paralyze the Rebel cause

WHY?WHY?

Americans led by Americans led by Gen Benedict ArnoldGen Benedict Arnold who had who had retreated from his defeat at Quebec to Lake retreated from his defeat at Quebec to Lake Champlain region.Champlain region. British would not go further w/o taking the lake. British would not go further w/o taking the lake.

General Arnold took tiny fleet and although he lost General Arnold took tiny fleet and although he lost the battle he the battle he bought the Patriots time.bought the Patriots time. Winter Winter had arrivedhad arrived

Had the British been able to move quicker or Had the British been able to move quicker or waited until spring to attack, they most likely waited until spring to attack, they most likely would have succeeded in crippling the American would have succeeded in crippling the American cause. cause.

Gen. Burgoyne began his slow moving Gen. Burgoyne began his slow moving invasioninvasion

Gen. Howe moved to attack Philadelphia Gen. Howe moved to attack Philadelphia (Rebel Capital) instead of moving north up the (Rebel Capital) instead of moving north up the Hudson. Hudson. He wanted to fight Washington.He wanted to fight Washington.

Washington and his troops settled in Valley Forge Washington and his troops settled in Valley Forge while while Baron von SteubenBaron von Steuben a Prussian drillmaster a Prussian drillmaster made the ratty colonial militia into professional made the ratty colonial militia into professional army.army.

Result:Result: Burgoyne’s forces had Burgoyne’s forces had bogged down north of Albany and bogged down north of Albany and the colonial militia had begun to the colonial militia had begun to swarm their flanks. Burgoyne had to swarm their flanks. Burgoyne had to surrender his command at surrender his command at SaratogaSaratoga on Oct. 17, 1777 to on Oct. 17, 1777 to Gen. Horatio Gen. Horatio GatesGates

Saratoga’s ImportanceSaratoga’s Importance Saratoga ranks high among Saratoga ranks high among

decisive battles in world history.decisive battles in world history.

REASON:REASON: Made possible the urgently needed foreign Made possible the urgently needed foreign

aid from France (The French saw a victory aid from France (The French saw a victory which gave them hope of colonial success)which gave them hope of colonial success)

French and American French and American RelationsRelations

Feb 6, 1778 the French offered the Feb 6, 1778 the French offered the Americans a treaty of Alliance.Americans a treaty of Alliance.

11stst Military Alliance for America Military Alliance for America

WHY?:WHY?: 1.1. French wanted revenge on Britain for French and French wanted revenge on Britain for French and

Indian WarIndian War2.2. France though it could regain its position of France though it could regain its position of

power in the worldpower in the world Prior to the treaty the British had Prior to the treaty the British had

offered the colonists offered the colonists home rulehome rule to stop to stop the war.the war.

French and American French and American RelationsRelations

What did the French and other European What did the French and other European Nations supply (Spain, Holland, etc)?Nations supply (Spain, Holland, etc)?

1.1. France supplied over half the American regular France supplied over half the American regular armyarmy

2.2. Together the nations had a navy stronger then Together the nations had a navy stronger then BritainBritain

3.3. Equipment (guns, gunpowder, money, Equipment (guns, gunpowder, money, manpower)manpower)

4.4. British now focused on other areas, NW British now focused on other areas, NW became secondarybecame secondary

War ContinuesWar Continues British launch British launch Southern CampaignSouthern Campaign

GOAL:GOAL: roll up the colonies by starting roll up the colonies by starting in the Loyalist heavy southin the Loyalist heavy south

1.1. Started very quickly and successfullyStarted very quickly and successfully2.2. Tide turned in late 1780-1781. Tide turned in late 1780-1781.

Gen. Nathanael GreeneGen. Nathanael Greene “fighting Quaker” “fighting Quaker” used his delay strategy to exhaust the British.used his delay strategy to exhaust the British.

He would lose the battle but win campaignsHe would lose the battle but win campaigns

Frontier (Land and Sea)Frontier (Land and Sea) The war in the American west was The war in the American west was

hard for British. hard for British. 1.1. Their forts are spread out and easily Their forts are spread out and easily

defeateddefeated George Rodgers ClarkGeorge Rodgers Clark seized many of seized many of

these forts from 1778-1779 by surprise.these forts from 1778-1779 by surprise. He floated down the Ohio River with 175 men He floated down the Ohio River with 175 men

and captured forts for Americans and captured forts for Americans

Frontier (Land and Sea)Frontier (Land and Sea) IndiansIndians

Kept the colonists busy with torch and Kept the colonists busy with torch and tomahawktomahawk

Reason: Reason: They believed that with British victory the They believed that with British victory the colonial westward expansion would stop and they colonial westward expansion would stop and they would keep their ancestral lands. would keep their ancestral lands.

Treaty of Fort Stanwix-Treaty of Fort Stanwix- (1779) pro-British Iroquois (1779) pro-British Iroquois were forced to sign this treaty with Americans.were forced to sign this treaty with Americans.

Result: Result: They ceded most of their landThey ceded most of their land

Frontier (Land and Sea)Frontier (Land and Sea) The American Navy was not very strong at this The American Navy was not very strong at this

point. point. Its chief contribution was destroying British Its chief contribution was destroying British

merchant ships. merchant ships. British fleet to large/strongBritish fleet to large/strong Privateers:Privateers: crafts that were privately owned armed ships crafts that were privately owned armed ships

1.1. These ships were fairly successful (Captured 600 British ships)These ships were fairly successful (Captured 600 British ships)2.2. Benefits:Benefits:

Brought needed goldBrought needed gold Harassed the enemy (kept them busy)Harassed the enemy (kept them busy) Raised moral by providing victories when victories were fewRaised moral by providing victories when victories were few

3.3. NegativesNegatives Diverted manpower from main war effortDiverted manpower from main war effort Involved Americans in speculation and graftingInvolved Americans in speculation and grafting

Yorktown and the Final Yorktown and the Final CurtainCurtain

The The Battle of YorktownBattle of Yorktown was was the the decisive battledecisive battle of the Revolutionary War. of the Revolutionary War.

American troops had not tasted much American troops had not tasted much success from 1780-1781success from 1780-1781

British British Gen. CornwallisGen. Cornwallis mistakenly fell into mistakenly fell into a trap when he fell back to the Chesapeake a trap when he fell back to the Chesapeake Bay at Yorktown after unsuccessful operation Bay at Yorktown after unsuccessful operation in Virginia.in Virginia.

Yorktown and the Final Yorktown and the Final CurtainCurtain The French under The French under Admiral de GrasseAdmiral de Grasse were willing to were willing to

cooperate with American troops and join to attack cooperate with American troops and join to attack CornwallisCornwallis

1.1. Washington and his troops attacked by landWashington and his troops attacked by land2.2. De Grasse set up a naval blockade after beating the De Grasse set up a naval blockade after beating the

British fleetBritish fleet

Result:Result: Cornwallis was forced to surrender after being Cornwallis was forced to surrender after being trapped between American/French forcestrapped between American/French forces

More of a French Victory (all naval power, ½ of More of a French Victory (all naval power, ½ of troops)troops)

Marks the beginning of the end of the war.Marks the beginning of the end of the war.

Washington’s ContributionsWashington’s Contributions1.1. Kept the cause alive with key victoriesKept the cause alive with key victories2.2. Kept the army in the fieldKept the army in the field3.3. Kept the states together during dark timesKept the states together during dark times

Peace at ParisPeace at Paris After Yorktown many of the Britons After Yorktown many of the Britons

were tired of war and wanted to come were tired of war and wanted to come to terms.to terms. King George was King George was NOT!NOT!

A Whig ministry (favorable to Americans) A Whig ministry (favorable to Americans) took control of Parliament. took control of Parliament.

This ended King George’s personal rule (Tory’s This ended King George’s personal rule (Tory’s in his pocket)in his pocket)

Peace at ParisPeace at Paris Ben Franklin, John Adams, and Ben Franklin, John Adams, and

John JayJohn Jay sent to Paris by Americans sent to Paris by Americans to negotiate peace.to negotiate peace.

Congress gave them strict orders to Congress gave them strict orders to make make nono separate peace and to separate peace and to consult with their French allies at consult with their French allies at all stages of the negotiations. all stages of the negotiations.

Peace at ParisPeace at ParisFrance’s ObjectivesFrance’s Objectives

1.1. They wanted to keep They wanted to keep America east of the America east of the Alleghenies and keep Alleghenies and keep them weak so it was them weak so it was easier to promote French easier to promote French interests and policy.interests and policy.

2.2. France put a lot into this France put a lot into this war (men and money) war (men and money) and wanted to get their and wanted to get their monies worth.monies worth.

3.3. Wanted to smash the Wanted to smash the British empireBritish empire

American ObjectivesAmerican Objectives

1.1. To create their To create their independent stateindependent state

2.2. To expand westwardTo expand westward

Peace at ParisPeace at Paris Treaty of Paris 1783Treaty of Paris 1783

1.1. British fully recognized the Independence of the USBritish fully recognized the Independence of the US2.2. Granted generous boundariesGranted generous boundaries3.3. Got to keep great fishing areas of NewfoundlandGot to keep great fishing areas of Newfoundland4.4. Americans could not further persecute the LoyalistsAmericans could not further persecute the Loyalists5.5. Congress was to recommend to the state Congress was to recommend to the state

legislatures to restore the confiscated property legislatures to restore the confiscated property rights of Loyalistsrights of Loyalists

6.6. States were not to put unlawful obstacles in the way States were not to put unlawful obstacles in the way of collecting debts owed to the British creditors.of collecting debts owed to the British creditors.

Peace at ParisPeace at Paris Ending the War when it did allowed Britain Ending the War when it did allowed Britain

to continue to be a world power in the 19to continue to be a world power in the 19thth century.century.

Despite this the French agreed with the Despite this the French agreed with the terms of the treaty b/cterms of the treaty b/c1.1. Brought the costly conflict to and endBrought the costly conflict to and end2.2. Freed them of the promises they made to Spain to Freed them of the promises they made to Spain to

get them to alley with them.get them to alley with them.

American Alone Gained From the World American Alone Gained From the World War We Know as the Revolutionary War!War We Know as the Revolutionary War!