America Secedes from the Empire

It All Begins

2nd Continental Congress All 13 colonies represented Hopes that king would remove “Acts”

and began developing ideas to raise money for army/navy

George Washington Elected as Commander of Colonial army

Bunker Hill and Hessian HirelingsLoyalists (Tories) vs. Patriots Fighting continues

Ethan Allen + Benedict Arnold win at TiconderogaColonial victory at Breed’s Hill (aka Bunker Hill)

Colonies had high ground + Britain decided to lead full frontal attack

Lack of supplies hurts the colonial army

Bunker Hill ruined any hope of the Olive Branch Petition Hired Hessians to put down this “rebellion”

Canada Eh?

Colonies begin invasion of Canada Believe it cold be a 14th colony and deprive Britain

of a valuable base Unsuccessful in this mission Able to capture Montreal but not Quebec

Fighting still continues in colonies Forced out of Boston Victories at Moore’s Creek Bridge and Charleston

Harbor

Thomas Pain, Common Sense, and Such

Americans begin to realize the necessity of separating from Britain Burning of Norfolk and hiring the Hessians

Thomas Pain publishes Common Sense Pamphlet that criticized the British gov’t/King (also

called for Republic)Reject monarchy and empire and embrace an

independent republic

First document suggesting American independence as well as constructing foreign policy

Jefferson Explains Independence “these United Colonies are, and of right tough to be, free and

independent states.” Formal adopted “declaration” of independence by Richard Henry Lee

Give Thomas Jefferson responsibility to give written explanation Declaration of Independence Leads to Declaration of the Rights of Man in France

Loyalist Exodus Persecution of Loyalists mild (occasional tarring/feathering) Post Declaration -> harsher punishments

George Washington and the War

Britain focusing on New York (Loyalist support) Colonies outnumbered 18k to 35k

Battle of Long Island -> crushed by British Retreat using nightfall and fog into N.J. and

eventually across DE River

Battle of Trenton Re-crossed the DE River and led surprise attack on

Hessians

Burgoyne’s Invasion Britain has plan to split colonies in 2

Gen. Burgoyne would push inland from Canada, Gen. Howe advance up the Hudson River

Benedict Arnold keeps Britain from recapturing Fort Ticonderoga Slowly advancing Burgoyne + Howe attacks Philadelphia

Howe believes he can clear path for Burgoyne

Washington moves army to Philadelphia -> loses battles at Brandywine Creek and Germantown Britain settles down in Philadelphia leaving Burgoyne by himself

Washington moves men to Valley Forge

Burgoyne ends up surrendering at Battle of Saratoga to Horatio Gates

Diplomatic AffairsFrance wants revenge (suppress Britain from

becoming superpower)Create alliance with colonial forces

Colonies also wanted freedom of trade and of the seasModel Treaty -> treaty with France

No political or military connection -> only a commercial connection

Accept treats, however terms not outlineFrance recognizes American independence Revolutionary War becomes a world war

Colonial War ExpandsColonies + France + Spain + Holland

Catherine the Great of Russia organizes “Armed Neutrality”

War now fought in North/South America, Europe, Caribbean, and Asia

France puts naval ships on coastline to counter British blockadeForces Britain to focus on New York not

PhiladelphiaAttacked by G.W. but escaped -> kept in New

York by Washington

Blow and Counterblow

Comte de Rochambeau + 6k French troops arrive in colonies Morale weakened when Benedict Arnold becomes a traitor

Felt his services were not appreciated Sold out West Point which commanded the Hudson River (6.3k Euros

and officers commission) Plot detected and Arnold fled to British

Britain decides to focus on Southern colonies with plan to move North

Crucial colonial wins in the Carolinas (Gen. Nathanial Greene)

The Land/Sea Frontier Native Americans allied with both sides Treaty of Fort Stanwix

Frist treaty between the United States and an Indian nation

Native Americans ceded most of their land

Revolutionary War did not stop Westward migration

Colonial navy small -> destroyed British merchant ships

Privateers -> “legal” pirates British shippers begin pressuring Parliament to end the

war

The End Inflation of currency continued to increase Cornwallis falls back to Yorktown, VA after

some other defeats Awaiting supplies and back-up troops British navy no longer superior

G.W. marches 300 miles from N.Y. to meet with de Grasse and a French fleet Tag teamed Cornwallis who was now cornered

Cornwallis surrenders troops on Oct. 19, 1781 at Yorktown

Peace at Last Britain was ready to come to peace

Lost territory in the West Indies

3 Americans meet in Paris: Ben Franklin, John Adams, John Jay Asked to make no separate peace and consult with French at all times

France torn on what to do; Spanish interests, etc. John Jay fearful France would help Spain over colonies

Went secretively to Britain

Treaty of Paris (1783) Formally recognized the independence of the United States

Boundaries to Miss. Rvr in West, Great Lakes in North, and Florida in South

Changes begin to happen in America Loyalists were to be no longer persecuted and Congress recommended

that their property be restored

Britain changes as well America pays large strategic dividends

Allowed army/navy to be rebuilt Eventually helps with war against Napoleon