YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION?
In April of 1775, the Battles of Lexington and Concord spurred war to new level
Second Continental Congress met the next month
Still bent on making amends with Britain
GENERAL WASHINGTON
George Washington was chosen as the commander of armed forces. Why??
Mainly because he was from Virginia – pacify the South
Steadfast in his will to win
refused to be paid – there was no money
COMMON SENSE
Fighting for over a year before it became a war for independence
Thomas Paine writes and sells “Common Sense”
Printed in 1776 as propaganda to fight for independence
He argued that the king was not worthy of loyalty
Also argued that America was more valuable to Britain, not other way
Also argued for a republican form of government – radical idea
WHICH HILL?
Battle of Bunker Hill in June of 1775
British controlled Boston Colonials took Breed’s
Hill and fired on British British tried to crush it
and lost. Olive Branch Petition
written and delivered George III refused it
REACTION TO THE BATTLE
George III closed door on reconciliation
Hired some 30,000 Hessians to go to America
The War is on and there is no turning back
ABORTIVE CONQUEST OF CANADA
In response to burning of Falmouth in Maine
General Montgomery took Montreal
General Arnold and Montgomery failed to take Quebec
They had to retreat
PHILADELPHIA CONGRESS DECIDED TO TAKE THE PLUNGE
June of 1776, Richard Henry Lee declared America’s Independence
July 4, 1776, Jefferson’s Declaration was adopted
It was an appeal to the world to back America
Opened the door for alliances
LOYALISTS AND PATRIOTS
Most of the aristocracy remained loyal to the king
Only about 20% of population were Loyalists
The South also had a large Loyalist population
Slaves and free Blacks joined the British to get their independence
Many fled America after the Declaration of Independence
SIGNIFICANT BATTLES
Washington defends New York and New Jersey
Loses most of his battles
In October of 1777, wins the Battle at Saratoga – wins alliances
FRANCE COMES TO THE AID OF AMERICA
Louis XVI doesn’t want a war with England – just embarrass
Franklin and others convince him to send troops and money
More importantly, France sent navy – Mainly to protect West Indies
Formal alliance formed in 1778 Most of Europe aligned with
America – Why? (Armed Neutrality)
Kind of like a world war at this point
THE FRONTIER
The Frontier is often neglected in Revolutionary history.
Indians often sided with Britain in the frontier. Why?
George Rogers Clark helped secure that portion of the battle.
He is one of the original hero “Indian Killers”
NAVAL POWER?
America had virtually no navy to speak of
Privateers (pirates) did most of the damage on merchant British ships
British merchants wanted the war over
YORKTOWN
Cornwallis was surrounded by French navy in Virginia
He was also surrounded by American and French armies
October 19, 1781 – Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown
Fighting went on for more than a year
This defeat forced a settlement
PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE
Ben Franklin (PA), John Adams (MA), John Jay (NY)
Supposed to negotiate with the French
Jay knew French were trying to settle with Spain
Jay defied the Congress and met with England
Peace Treaty signed with London in 1782