Fighting for Fighting for IndependenceIndependence

Fighting for IndependenceFighting for Independence

Although the Declaration of Although the Declaration of Independence was not approved until July Independence was not approved until July 44thth, 1776, Britain and the American , 1776, Britain and the American colonists had been fighting since the colonists had been fighting since the battles at Lexington and Concord in April battles at Lexington and Concord in April 1775. 1775.

King George hadn’t expected a war, King George hadn’t expected a war, much less a long one…much less a long one…

Yet the fighting continued and intensified. Yet the fighting continued and intensified.

The Siege of BostonThe Siege of Boston

6,000 British troops were stationed in 6,000 British troops were stationed in Boston while 20,000 armed Patriots Boston while 20,000 armed Patriots surrounded them. surrounded them.

The Patriots turned their attention to The Patriots turned their attention to gathering much needed military gathering much needed military equipment. equipment.

In May 1775, Colonel Ethan Allen and his In May 1775, Colonel Ethan Allen and his Vermont militia surprised British troops at Vermont militia surprised British troops at Fort Ticonderoga in northern NY, Fort Ticonderoga in northern NY, capturing the fort which provided the capturing the fort which provided the Patriots with cannons and other supplies. Patriots with cannons and other supplies.

The Battle at Bunker HillThe Battle at Bunker Hill

On June 17On June 17thth, 1775 the British army attacked , 1775 the British army attacked two strategic hilltop locations the Patriots two strategic hilltop locations the Patriots held in Boston – Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill. held in Boston – Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill.

After 3 attacks, the British took Breed’s Hill. After 3 attacks, the British took Breed’s Hill. The Patriots used all their ammunition at The Patriots used all their ammunition at

Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill was quickly taken Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill was quickly taken by Britain but at a huge cost to the British. by Britain but at a huge cost to the British.

Nearly 1,100 of the 2,400 British soldiers Nearly 1,100 of the 2,400 British soldiers were killed or wounded – the Patriots only were killed or wounded – the Patriots only suffered 400 casualties. suffered 400 casualties.

The British Leave BostonThe British Leave Boston July 1775, George Washington arrived in July 1775, George Washington arrived in

Boston after being named the commanding Boston after being named the commanding general of Patriot forces. general of Patriot forces.

In January 1776, Patriot Colonel Henry Knox In January 1776, Patriot Colonel Henry Knox arrived outside of Boston with the military arrived outside of Boston with the military equipment seized at Fort Ticonderoga. equipment seized at Fort Ticonderoga.

The cannons were placed on Dorchester The cannons were placed on Dorchester Heights and from there they could shell the Heights and from there they could shell the British forces in the city and ships in the British forces in the city and ships in the harbor. harbor.

Realizing they could not defend their Realizing they could not defend their position, the British left Boston March, 1776, position, the British left Boston March, 1776, taking with them 1,000 Boston Loyalists. taking with them 1,000 Boston Loyalists.

Strengths and WeaknessesStrengths and Weaknesses John Adams believed 1/3 of the colonists were John Adams believed 1/3 of the colonists were

Patriots, 1/3 Loyalists (Tories), and 1/3 Patriots, 1/3 Loyalists (Tories), and 1/3 undecided. undecided.

The British Strengths: The British Strengths: – well-equipped, disciplined, and trained armywell-equipped, disciplined, and trained army– The British navy was the best in the worldThe British navy was the best in the world– 50,000 Loyalists fought with the British 50,000 Loyalists fought with the British

Army – slaves in the South were promised Army – slaves in the South were promised freedom; additional help came from Native freedom; additional help came from Native Americans because of colonial interests to Americans because of colonial interests to keep moving westward and taking Native keep moving westward and taking Native American lands. American lands.

– The British hired 30,000 mercenaries – The British hired 30,000 mercenaries – German “Hessians”German “Hessians”

Strengths and WeaknessesStrengths and Weaknesses British Weaknesses: British Weaknesses:

– The war was not popular in Great Britain b/c many The war was not popular in Great Britain b/c many British citizens resented paying taxes to fight this warBritish citizens resented paying taxes to fight this war

– British troops had to fight in hostile territoryBritish troops had to fight in hostile territory– British commanders resisted adapting their tactics to British commanders resisted adapting their tactics to

conditions in Americaconditions in America American Strengths:American Strengths:

– Patriots were fighting on their own territory and used Patriots were fighting on their own territory and used tactics that had worked in the French and Indian War tactics that had worked in the French and Indian War

American Weaknesses:American Weaknesses:– The Americans lacked a well-supplied, stable, and The Americans lacked a well-supplied, stable, and

effective fighting force – new recruits were constantly effective fighting force – new recruits were constantly showing up while veterans, once their time was up, showing up while veterans, once their time was up, headed home. headed home.

Fighting in the NorthFighting in the North By October 1776, the British had captured New By October 1776, the British had captured New

York and drove the Continental Army into York and drove the Continental Army into Pennsylvania and many troops deserted General Pennsylvania and many troops deserted General Washington. Washington.

By the winter of 1776, the Patriot cause was on By the winter of 1776, the Patriot cause was on the verge of collapse and the Continental the verge of collapse and the Continental Congress fled to Philadelphia. Congress fled to Philadelphia.

Lacking adequate financial support, troops, and Lacking adequate financial support, troops, and supplies, Washington had to be innovative and supplies, Washington had to be innovative and abandoned the tradition of armies not fighting abandoned the tradition of armies not fighting during winter. during winter.

Washington and 2,400 troops left Pennsylvania on Washington and 2,400 troops left Pennsylvania on Christmas Night 1776. Christmas Night 1776.

They crossed the ice-choked Delaware River and They crossed the ice-choked Delaware River and surprised 1,400 Hessians stationed in Trenton, surprised 1,400 Hessians stationed in Trenton, New Jersey. New Jersey.

Fighting in the NorthFighting in the North

Nearly the entire hessian force was Nearly the entire hessian force was captured, while the Patriots only suffered captured, while the Patriots only suffered 5 casualties in the Battle of Trenton. 5 casualties in the Battle of Trenton.

A few days later, Washington and 5000 A few days later, Washington and 5000 troops made a similar attack on Princeton troops made a similar attack on Princeton and defeated General Charles Cornwallis. and defeated General Charles Cornwallis.

The victories at Trenton and Princeton The victories at Trenton and Princeton greatly boosted Patriot morale and greatly boosted Patriot morale and convinced more Americans to join the convinced more Americans to join the cause. cause.

Victory at SaratogaVictory at Saratoga The Patriot capital, Philadelphia, was The Patriot capital, Philadelphia, was

captured in September 1776. captured in September 1776. British Gen. John Burgoyne was on the British Gen. John Burgoyne was on the

move with his army in northern NY and his move with his army in northern NY and his objective was to cut New England off from objective was to cut New England off from the rest of the colonies. the rest of the colonies.

He captured Fort Ticonderoga and headed He captured Fort Ticonderoga and headed toward Albany, NY – as the Americans toward Albany, NY – as the Americans retreated, they destroyed bridges and retreated, they destroyed bridges and felled trees across the road to slow his felled trees across the road to slow his advance. advance.

The slow progress caused his army to run The slow progress caused his army to run low on supplies while the colonial force low on supplies while the colonial force grew and rallied to confront them. grew and rallied to confront them.

Victory at SaratogaVictory at Saratoga

In mid-September, the Americans, led In mid-September, the Americans, led by Gen. Horatio Gates, attacked by Gen. Horatio Gates, attacked Burgoyne’s forces. Burgoyne’s forces.

This series of American victories, This series of American victories, which took place around Saratoga, NY, which took place around Saratoga, NY, is called the Battle of Saratoga. is called the Battle of Saratoga.

On Oct 17On Oct 17thth, 1777, surrounded by a , 1777, surrounded by a much larger American army, much larger American army, Burgoyne surrendered which was the Burgoyne surrendered which was the biggest victory yet for the Americans biggest victory yet for the Americans and marked a turning point in the war. and marked a turning point in the war.

Help From AbroadHelp From Abroad After the 2After the 2ndnd C.C. declared independence, it C.C. declared independence, it

sent Benjamin Franklin on a mission to Paris. sent Benjamin Franklin on a mission to Paris. France had been secretly aiding the France had been secretly aiding the

Americans in the war against their long-time Americans in the war against their long-time enemies (British), but Franklin pushed for an enemies (British), but Franklin pushed for an open alliance. open alliance.

On Feb 6On Feb 6thth, 1778, France and the U.S. signed , 1778, France and the U.S. signed a treaty of alliance. a treaty of alliance.

It meant $, troops, and a navy for the It meant $, troops, and a navy for the Americans AND Britain had to now defend Americans AND Britain had to now defend itself from France in Europe.itself from France in Europe.

A year later, Spain joined the war as France’s A year later, Spain joined the war as France’s ally, followed by the Netherlands in 1780. ally, followed by the Netherlands in 1780.

Section 5 – Winning Section 5 – Winning IndependenceIndependence

The British lost their colonies in the The British lost their colonies in the end because Americans had the end because Americans had the determination to outlast their rulers. determination to outlast their rulers.

Even though Britain seized New York, Even though Britain seized New York, Philadelphia, and almost every other Philadelphia, and almost every other important colonial city, Washington important colonial city, Washington knew the secret to winning the war…knew the secret to winning the war…Britain could never win as long as Britain could never win as long as Americans continued fighting them. Americans continued fighting them.

Financing the WarFinancing the War

For Washington’s army, a major source For Washington’s army, a major source of hardship was a lack of support from of hardship was a lack of support from the Continental Congress. the Continental Congress.

Congress, at the time, had little real Congress, at the time, had little real power…it could ASK the states to power…it could ASK the states to provide troops, money, and supplies, provide troops, money, and supplies, but did not have the power to TAX the but did not have the power to TAX the states to support financing. states to support financing.

Congress issued paper money but it Congress issued paper money but it was not backed by gold or silver. was not backed by gold or silver.

Disruptions of TradeDisruptions of Trade During the war, the British navy During the war, the British navy

blockaded, or cut off from outside blockaded, or cut off from outside contactcontact, the Atlantic Coast which disrupted , the Atlantic Coast which disrupted trade and supplies needed by American trade and supplies needed by American civilians and troops. civilians and troops.

Some colonists took advantage of shortages Some colonists took advantage of shortages by by profiteering, or selling scarce items profiteering, or selling scarce items at unreasonably high prices. at unreasonably high prices.

Inflation, a steady increase in prices Inflation, a steady increase in prices over time, over time, reduced people’s ability to buy reduced people’s ability to buy goods. goods.

Victory at Yorktown, VAVictory at Yorktown, VA

After the French army joined the Continental After the French army joined the Continental army in New York, Washington saw the army in New York, Washington saw the opportunity to deal the British a fatal blow and opportunity to deal the British a fatal blow and moved south.moved south.

The French navy set up a blockade off the The French navy set up a blockade off the Virginia coast. Virginia coast.

In early October, 1781, French and American In early October, 1781, French and American artillery began to pound Yorktown and artillery began to pound Yorktown and Cornwallis.Cornwallis.

On October 19On October 19thth, Cornwallis surrendered to , Cornwallis surrendered to Washington. Washington.

Treaty of Paris - 1783Treaty of Paris - 1783 Nearly two years passed between the surrender of Nearly two years passed between the surrender of

Cornwallis and the signing of the peace treaty that Cornwallis and the signing of the peace treaty that formally ended the war. The treaty contained…formally ended the war. The treaty contained…

1. Great Britain recognized the independence of the 1. Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States of America. United States of America.

2. The northern border b/t the US and Canada was set 2. The northern border b/t the US and Canada was set from New England to the Mississippi River, primarily from New England to the Mississippi River, primarily along the Great Lakes. along the Great Lakes.

3. The Mississippi River was established as the 3. The Mississippi River was established as the boundary b/t the new US and Spanish territory to the boundary b/t the new US and Spanish territory to the west. Navigation on the river was to be forever open west. Navigation on the river was to be forever open to American and British citizens. to American and British citizens.

4. Florida was returned to Spain. 4. Florida was returned to Spain. 5. G.B. agreed to withdraw its remaining troops from 5. G.B. agreed to withdraw its remaining troops from

US territory. US territory. 6. Congress pledged to recommend to the states that 6. Congress pledged to recommend to the states that

the rights and property of American Loyalists (to the the rights and property of American Loyalists (to the Crown) be restored and that no future action be Crown) be restored and that no future action be taken against them.taken against them.

Impact of the RevolutionImpact of the Revolution In 1783, Great Britain accepted American independence. In 1783, Great Britain accepted American independence. The Revolution helped inspire patriotism, or love of their The Revolution helped inspire patriotism, or love of their

country. country. The Revolution did not produce any immediate gain in The Revolution did not produce any immediate gain in

political or legal power for women, but did challenge some political or legal power for women, but did challenge some of the traditional ideas. of the traditional ideas.

For African Americans, the results were mixed – it For African Americans, the results were mixed – it promoted anti-slavery in the North. In the South, it made promoted anti-slavery in the North. In the South, it made slavery more restrictive. To African Americans, the slavery more restrictive. To African Americans, the Revolution made them more conscious of the possibilities Revolution made them more conscious of the possibilities of freedom. of freedom.

For Native Americans, the war’s outcome was a disaster – For Native Americans, the war’s outcome was a disaster – moving them further west and taking more of their land. moving them further west and taking more of their land.

Perhaps the greatest effect was to spread the idea of Perhaps the greatest effect was to spread the idea of liberty, both home and abroad. liberty, both home and abroad.

However, Jefferson, like most of the CC, probably had no However, Jefferson, like most of the CC, probably had no thought of applying the principle of liberty to people other thought of applying the principle of liberty to people other than white men. than white men.