Chapter 8: America Secedes from the Empire

1. Chapter 8: America Secedes from the Empire 1775-1783

2. Congress Drafts George Washington • What were Washington’s faults? • What were Washington’s gifts? • Why was Washington chosen as leader of the Patriot army? • Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings • Why is the American Revolution considered a war of inconsistencies? • Why were the battles of Ticonderoga and Crown point in 1775 significant? • Describe the Battle of Bunker Hill and its significance. • What was the Olive Branch Petition and how did King George respond to it? • Who were the Hessians? How did the colonists feel about them? • Why were the Hessians called Hessian flies?

3. The Abortive Conquest of Canada • Why did the colonists attack Canada and how did this go against their initial reason for fighting? • In 1775, describe the Canadian fighting campaign. • When were the British forced to evacuate Boston and why was this significant? • The colonists won two victories in the south in 1776. What were the two battles and who did Patriot’s fight? • Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense • Why did Americans deny any intention of independence? • What actions/activities made some colonists change their minds? • What was the main argument of Common Sense and why is it significant?

4. Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism” • Why was Common Sense considered doubly radical? • Why did the colonists respond well to the arguments presented in Common Sense? • What is civic virtue and why is it fundamental to a successful republican government? • Why did some colonists favor a republic ruled by a “natural aristocracy”? • Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence • What did Richard Henry Lee propose on June 7, 1776 and what were the ramifications of this proposal? • Describe the main points of the Declaration of Independence. • How did a formal declaration of independence “clear the air” for the colonists? • Why was the declaration considered a “shout heard round the world”?

5. Patriots and Loyalists • Who was loyal to whom during the War of Independence? • Who would be considered a Torie? Who would be considered a Whig? • Why was the revolution considered a minority movement? • How did the Patriots gain the allegiance and support of the civilian population? • Loyalist could be considered “tragic figures” – why? • Where were the loyalist strongholds? • Where were the patriot strongholds? • The Loyalist Exodus • How did life change for loyalists after the Declaration of Independence? • How was some of the war funded by loyalists? • Beyond bearing arms, how else did loyalists help the British cause?

6. General Washington at Bay • Why did the British focus on New York as their base of operations? • Describe the British fleet. • How did Washington escape after the Battle of Long Island? • Why didn’t Howe pursue and crush Washington and his troops? • Describe the New Jersey campaign. • Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion • Why did the British want to capture the Hudson River Valley in 1777? • Describe the plan to capture the Hudson River Valley. • What role did Benedict Arnold play in the fight for Lake Champlain? • Describe Burgoyne’s troops. • What was General Howe doing while he should have been heading to up the Hudson River Valley. Why was this significant? • Why is the Battle of Saratoga considered a highly divisive battle?

7. Revolution in Diplomacy • Why was France looking to join the war? • Americans had revolutionary views about dealing internationally – what were they? • What did the “model treaty” say and why is this important? • Describe Ben Franklin and his trip to Paris. • After the Battle of Saratoga, how did the British Parliament respond? • What was the treaty of alliance and why was it important to the American cause? • The Colonial War Becomes a Wider War • How did the American Revolution become a world war? • Who sided with whom in the war for American Independence? • What was the Armed Neutrality and who was involved? • How did France’s entrance into the war affect the rebels and the British? • Why did Britain decide to evacuate Philadelphia and concentrate on New York City?

8. Blow and Counterblow • How did the French smooth over their relationships with the colonists? • What did Benedict Arnold do to be considered a traitor? • How did Britain change its plan of attack? Was it successful? Why or why not? • What happened in the South to “make the tide turn” in the rebels’ favor? • Who was Nathanael Green and why was he significant? • The Land Frontier and the Sea Frontier • Describe the fighting in the west. • Who from the Iroquois Confederacy sided with whom? • Why did a majority of the tribes side with Britain? • What was the treaty of Fort Stanwix and why was it significant? • Why were the British especially vulnerable in Illinois and how did George Rogers Clark take advantage of this situation? • How did the American navy contribute to the rebel cause? • Why were swift privateers more damaging to the British fleet than the American navy? • What were some of the advantages and disadvantages to having privateers involved in the war?

9. Yorktown and the Final Curtain • Why was 1780-1781 one of the darkest periods of the war? • Describe the battle of Yorktown. • Even though Lord North believed the war was “over” how did George III react to the surrender at Yorktown? • Where did most of the fighting take place after the Battle of Yorktown? • Peace at Paris • How was Britain fairing in the rest of the world and in their own country? • What Americans were sent to Paris for negotiations and what instructions were they given? • What position was France in prior to signing a treaty? • Why did John Jay negotiate with the British? • What countries were involved in the Treaty of Paris? • What did the Americans gain in the Treaty of Paris? • What concessions did the Americans give in the Treaty of Paris?

10. A New Nation Legitimized • Why was Britain so generous in the terms of the Treaty of Paris? • How did France react to the Treaty of Paris? • How did Britain, France and America fair after the Revolutionary War?