Dunmore’s ProclamationTybee Island

andDavid George

Group Exercise

Questions for groups to consider

What, according to the Declaration of Independence, are the “unalienable” rights of men?

How might an American in 1776 have understood the practical meaning of those rights?

Would we today share their views?

Playing Devils advocate

The flag of the United States Pledges Allegiance to I and to the Republic for which I stand

Questions for groups to consider

What, according to the Declaration of Independence, are the “unalienable” rights of men?

How might an American in 1776 have understood the practical meaning of those rights?

Would we today share their views?

Jefferson and Religious Freedom

Virginia Satute for Religious Freedom

Whereas, Almighty God hath created the mind free; that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens, or by civil incapacitations tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, who being Lord, both of body and mind yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either, as was in his Almighty power to do, that the impious presumption of legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavouring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world and through all time; that to compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical;

In 1777 American army began to take a new shape

In response to Washington’s requests Congress offered a cash bonus to

anyone who signed up for three years Anyone who signed up for the duration

of the war received a Land bounty Gave army a more secure basis

Army now had time to be trained become a stronger threat

Avoid the chaos and flights seen in New York

In addition to lengthening service congress also increased punishment

that could be used Number of lashes was increased from

39 to 100

New Continental Army had distinct character

short-term militia locally based made up of well known and often

respected members of each community New army was often draw from the

lower ranks of society The Joseph Plumb Martin’s of the world

Often pulled across the country away from homes and the ability to easily leave

Back to New York

As Burgoyne took Ticonderoga Washington watched Howe in New York Appeared to be preparing for action

But hesitant – Left harbor but to where July 31 spotted in Delaware River

But out to sea again South Carolina? August 25th Chesapeake bay

Washington feared for Philadelphia Maneuvered to protect the capital Battles at

Brandywine Creek British Victory Washington retreat but stayed between Howe

and Philadelphia Harrying the british

Battles during repositioning Warren Tavern Sept 16th

Paoli Sept 21

Weaponry and tactics

75 caliber, weighed 9 lbs. 46 “ Barrel Not often used in battle

1779 only 20 % of Norfolk Militia could hit target of 100 feetFrom 70 yards

Paoli Massacre Major General James Grey

surprised Anthony Wayne’s Forces Entered Wayne’s camp at 1 am

Ordered flints removed Used bayonets with cruel efficiency

300 killed and wounded 100 captured 8 British killed

Wayne escaped with renewed respect for “No-Flint Grey”

Without Burgoyne disintegrating Washington’s army may not have lasted

Washington rallied his troops “Will you suffer the wounds

given to you country to go un avenged?”

Will you resign your parents, wives, children and friends to be the wretched vassals of a proud, insulting foe? And your Own Necks to the halter

Continental Army was next to see battle Prompted by Washington’s words

At Germantown Pennsylvania A mix of bad weather and excessive complex

plans led to a chaotic conflict Eventually the British regrouped and push back

far from a rout Washington’s troops now had knowledge that

they could Carry the attack to a fine professional Army and carry

it well

Howe’s Victory at GermantownSeizure of Philadelphia

Satisfaction and joy to BritishDefeat of Burgoyne

Satisfaction and joy to AmericansAlso raised specter of France

France given up idea of reclaiming mainland colonies Still smarted from British domination

Subtly supported American efforts Attempt to damage England

Julien Archard de Bonvouloir Late summer 1775 sent to America

Offer verbal support and encouragement but little more

Pierre-Augustin Caron de BeaumarchaisDramatis & adventurer (loved intrigue more than he hated

England) Spent time in England trying to gain

info Believed almost everything he hears

Meanwhile back in the good ol US of A November 29 1775

congress appointed secret committee of correspondence “for the sole purpose of corresponding

with our friends in Great Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world”

May 2, 1776 King Louis XVI Authorized 1 million livres in aid But had to been done in secrecy

Sort of Face saving fiction is often more acceptable than fact in

foreign relations

Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais Later author of The Barber

of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro

Set up a company Roderique Hortalez et

Compagnie Company’s aim smuggle

army supplies into America Still no men at this time

Also uncertainty in US Is assistance from France attainable/wise?

What connection may we safely form with her 1st No Political Connection.

Submit to none of her authority – receive no Governors, or officers from her

2ndNo Military Connection. Receive no troops from her

3rd Only a commercial Connection, i.e. make a Treaty, to receive her Ships into our ports.

John Adams

From France Marquis de Lafayette and

Johann, baron de Kalb From Poland

Casimir, count Pulaski To some Americans this influx of non-

Americans was potentially problematic

These people along with others began to take on a new aristocratic tone

Americans been fighting off hierarchical ideas like this for years

About 90% of gunpowder used by American forces between 1775 and 1777 came from captured British supplies or from

overseas Hortalez et Compagnie supplied most

of this Without this aid, quite simply, the

war could not have continued

December 1776 Benjamin Franklin arrived in France as

an agent of the American Congress Although France could still not officially

recognize Franklin Paris took Franklin in as a hero Franklin was a well known figure in

Europe Both through his scientific work And also from his time in England

Ben Franklin altered his appearance

Adopting simple plain clothing and replacing his wig with a fur cap

Successfully attempting to play the innocent man of nature

Following Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga the French intervened officially

Feb 1778 Franklin and French Foreign minister Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes signed two treaties.

The first was a commercial agreement Granted America generous trading terms

In the second France Made a perpetual alliance with the US Recognized American Independence Agreed to fight until Britain accepted US

independence Disavowed all territorial claims in the US

Essential article in treaty of alliance No8 “Neither of the two parties shall

conclude either Truce or Peace with great Britain, without the formal consent of the other first obtained; and they mutually agree not to lay down their arms, until the independence of the United States shall have been formally or tacitly assured by the Treaty or Treaties that shall terminate the war”

Congress approved treaties on May 4 1778 By June 14 1778 Britain and France were at

war

British response to this was to put together a plan of conciliation

The plan which may have succeeded in 1775

Was rejected out of hand by congress in June 1778

Spain also wanted to see Britain suffer a loss at the hands of the Americans

However, it was not prepared to support America directly

King feared that the Spanish people may follow suit

But in 1779 it joined with France in their war against Britain

With the support of France, and the indirect help of Spain Americans expected a swift victory

This was not to be the case The war instead turned into a battle

of attrition as each side attempted to reduce the other to surrender

When the army settled in for a cold winter at Valley Forge a Prussian soldier in the army

Frederich Wilhelm, baron von Steuben Created a drill manual

based on the traditional Prussian manual adapted to the American army

Yet another increase in army structure

War moves South