Ideological, Military, and Diplomatic Aspects of the American Revolution

1. SSUSH 4 The student will identify the ideological, military, and diplomatic aspects of the American Revolution

2. The Declaration of Independence • Author: Thomas Jefferson • Signed July 4, 1776 • A “break up letter to England”

3. John Locke • An English philosopher whose ideas were borrowed by Jefferson that were presented in the Declaration of Independence. • Locke’s Ideas • “Life, liberty and property” • If the government is oppressive, the people have the right to overthrow the government and create a new government.

4. Declaration of Independence • Basic Rights • Born with inalienable rights –life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. • All men are created equal – egalitarianism • If the government become tyrannical (too powerful and oppressive), the PEOPLE have the right to overthrow the government and establish a new government.

5. 2. Grievances • Complaints about the King • They provided a long list of complaints to justify their actions. • Largest part of the Declaration of Independence.

6. 3. Colonists’ Intentions • They intend to establish a independent country free from England. • The country will have sovereign power to create laws, make treaties, and to declare war.

7. Declaration of Independence • Complete the Reading activity.

8. The American Revolution Strengths of the Americans Weaknesses of the Americans Fighting the number one military force in the world. The American soldiers were… Unskilled Undisciplined Underfed Under clothed Under armed Low Enrollment • A belief in a cause • Fighting on homeland • Assistance from France • France furnished America with arms, supplies, and eventually men.

9. France Provides Aid • Goods • At first France would not provide troops; however, they did provide arms. • Leaders • Marquis de Lafayette – a Frenchman who offered his service to America during the American Revolution. He fought and served with George Washington. • Benjamin Franklin is the Ambassador to France to encourage their support. • After the battle of Saratoga, the French committed troops to America.

10. (Cont’d) • Troops • After the Battle of Saratoga, the French provided troops because they thought the US had a chance of beating the British.

11. General George Washington • Military Leader • The Second Continental Congress named George Washington as the Commander and Chief of the Continental Army.

12. Washington (Cont’d) • Common Soldiers • Unskilled • Undisciplined • Underfed • Accomplishments • With the disadvantages, Washington became one of the greatest military leaders. • Maintained his army against the mighty Red Coats to defeat the British

13. Valley Forge • During the first winter, as fighting slowed Washington trained his troops. • The American soldiers improved.

14. The British’s Key Military Leader • Lord Cornwallis • Victorious in the Southern Colonies • Later he was Captured by Washington’s men and the French

15. Key Battles of the American Revolution

16. Crossing the Delaware • December 25, 1776 • Washington led his troops across the Delaware River to launch an attack against the Hessians at Trenton, NJ. • It was a surprise attack because it was during winter, at night, during a sleet storm, on Christmas.

18. The Battle of Yorktown • Yorktown, Virginia - on a peninsula • Washington marched his troops by land to surround Cornwallis. • The French established a blockade to surround Cornwallis at sea. • Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown which ended the American Revolution.

20. The Treaty of Paris 1783 • Technically ended the American Revolution. • Britain officially recognized the independence of the United States.