The American Revolution

The American Revolution Seceding from the Empire

The Road to Revolution

War and Money • French and Indian war left England in severe debt, requiring them to enforce taxes in the colonies. • Mercantilism: Colonies existed for the benefit of the mother country • add to the empire’s wealth, prosperity, and self-sufficiency • Act as both suppliers and consumers for the empire.

Navigation Acts • Created to enforce the mercantilist system • Restricted commerce to and from the colonies to English or American vessels (blocking the Dutch traders) • Molasses Act: imposed heavy duties on all molasses, rum, and sugar imported from the French Caribbean

Positives and Negatives of Mercantilism • Positives: • Colonials held more independence and opportunities than their English brethren • Had British military protection free of charge and profited from British trade • Negatives: • Suffered from high export prices • Writs of Assistance harassed colonial shipping to reduce illegal trade • “No taxation without representation”

The Acts that Broke the Camel’s Back • Proclamation of 1763 • Currency Act • Sugar Acts • Quartering Act • Stamp Act • Townshend Acts • Tea Act

Philosophical Origins of the Revolution

The Enlightenment • The Enlightenment was a cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe and the United States, whose purpose was to reform society and advance knowledge through reason and logic. • The ideals promoted by various intellectuals inspired many American patriots, including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.

Locke Humans are all born free and equal, with three natural rights: life, liberty, and property.

Voltaire “I may not agree with a thing you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Man’s right to freedom of religion and speech must be protected, oui?

Montesquieu Power should not be held by one man alone, but separated amongst several branches. Power should be a check to power.

Rousseau Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. The sovereignty of the people is essential to the creation of a just government.

Beccaria Just because you have been accused of a crime does not mean you shouldn’t be treated humanely. Torture should never be used. You should have a speedy trial and your punishment should fit the crime.

Wollstonecraft If all men are born free, how is it that all women are born slaves? Welcome to Stepford!

America has Separation Issues • Colonists felt physically separated from England • Led to support of republicanism • Colonists felt economically separated • Colonial money not accepted for taxes • Felt used under mercantilism (salutary neglect) • Colonists felt philosophically separated • Support of Enlightenment ideas • Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

Virginia Resolves • VA believed the Stamp Act attacked colonials’ rights as Englishmen • Patrick Henry presented 7 resolutions claiming that Virginia could only tax Virginians. • Grenville claimed colonists had “virtual representation” • Colonists did not necessarily want direct representation – would mean higher taxes

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

Sons of Liberty • Led by Samuel Adams • Violently enforced nonimportation agreements against violators • Used tar and feathering • Caused all Stamp Act agents to resign, causing the repeal of the Stamp Act

Boston Massacre What’s wrong with this picture?

Boston Tea Party • Patriot Sam Adams devised a plan whereby colonists, thinly disguised as Mohawk Indians, boarded the three ships. They broke open all 342 chests of tea and threw them overboard. This episode became a precursor on the road to independence, elevating as it did the most radical patriots in command throughout America.

The Committees of Correspondence • The Townshend duties had failed to increase revenue, but had produced rebellion. • All taxes were repealed, except tea tax – just to prove a point • Samuel Adams established the “committees of correspondence” – letter-writing network with the goal of exchanging news and organizing resistance. • Quickly grew to all the colonies. • Acted as colonial governing groups, ignoring or overriding the rulings of colonial legislatures • Grew into the first American congresses (would send the delegates to Continental Conventions)

First Continental Congress • Met in Philadelphia, Sept.-Oct. 1774 • 12 colonies present (GA absent) • Most prominent members of colonial congresses, many of whom would later sign the Declaration of Independence • Did NOT desire independence; wrote Declaration of Rights and Grievances • Raised fourteen points of colonial protest. In addition to the specific protests of the Stamp Act taxes, it asserted that • Only the colonial assemblies had a right to tax the colonies. (no taxation without representation). • Trial by jury was a right, and the use of Admiralty Courts was abusive. • Colonists possessed all the Rights of Englishmen. • Without voting rights, Parliament could not represent the colonists.

The Shot Heard ‘Round the World

Lexington and Concord • Click to Add Text

British Scorecard Advantages Disadvantages Preoccupied with issues in Ireland Knew it was only a matter of time before France joined the fight Many British didn’t want to fight and kill Americans Poor officers – given positions based upon noble titles, not necessarily on talent An overseas war meant supplies would be in short supply • 7.5 million citizens allowed for a large standing army (~50,000) • Most well-trained, best equipped army on Earth • Most powerful navy in the world • Great wealth in hard money (gold and silver) • Hired Hessians (German mercenaries) • Estimated 50,000 American Loyalists (Tories)

American Scorecard Advantages Disadvantages Did not have a ready-trained army to go up against the British Regulars Many militia men left after a battle, or even during one, and went home. People were split (Patriots, moderates, and Tories) Had no navy to speak of (used Boston merchant ships) No central government meant no central authority, no stable economic system “Not worth a Continental” • Excellent leadership, both military and diplomatic • Aid given by France, Lafayette • Fought a defensive war (only had to hold the land, England had to conquer it) • Home field advantage: knew the territory, supplies were readily at hand, had no central capitol for England to focus on • They had a CAUSE

Common Sense • Thomas Paine’s Common Sense: Urged American independence as common sense • In the physical world, the smaller body never ruled the larger one • It was illogical for a country to rule another from 3000 miles away • He had no respect for a king who did not protect his own people • Wrote plainly and convincingly • Called for a republic (which no one had tried before)

The Dividing Line Patriots Tories Usually older and from conservative families Usually from richer, aristocratic families Were strong in areas where the Anglican Church was strong • Generally younger (20s - early 40s) • Lived in areas where the Anglican Church was weak • Generally were inland and away from the coast (which were links back to England); Boston was the major exception to this rule

A Thin Line of Heroes No one expected the colonists to win • Lack of supplies because there was no money • Training was quick and often poor, desertion was common • Baron von Steuben, a Prussian drillmaster, helped whip the Americans into shape • People on the frontier felt as separated from colonial governments as they did from England, so it didn’t much matter who won • Merchants liked to sell to the British who paid in gold

Praying for Peace • The Second Continental Congress met in May 1775 in Philadelphia to address the worsening situation. • Sent the Olive Branch Petition: Pledged America’s loyalty and asked for peace • King George III formally declared the colonies to be in a state of rebellion

…and Preparing for War • The 2ndCC took measures to raise money to create an army and navy • Appointed George Washington as general of the continental army

Early Battles • Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold led the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont to surprising victories at Ft. Ticonderoga and Crown Point • The Americans took Bunker Hill, only to have the British take it in a frontal assault • “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes”

America Secedes from Great Britain

America Secedes From Great Britain • Richard Henry Lee made a motion for independence on June 7, 1776. • A committee was formed to create a formal written declaration of America’s independence: • John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman

It’s Too Late To Apologize

The American Declaration of Independence 1776 • The Declaration could be broken down into four parts: • Preamble or introduction • A statement of rights • A list of grievances • A statement of separation

Declaration of Independence

The Loyalist Exodus • Before the Declaration, harassment of loyalists was mild • After the Declaration, treatment got worse, as Tories were labeled as “Traitors” • Loyalists were “roughed up,” imprisoned, or sometimes hanged • About 80,000 Tories left America, their lands quickly confiscated by the Americans and sold to raise money for the war effort.

Genius George • General Washington faltered when faced with a strong British force in New York • December 26, 1776 – Washington surprises the Hessians at Trenton after crossing the icy Delaware • America’s first victory; boosted morale • A week later, Americans scored another victory at Princeton after leaving their campfires burning as a distraction for the British

Britain’s Plan B • England’s new plan was to divide the colonies. The plan had three parts: • Col. Barry St. Leger would move from Lake Erie eastward along the Mohawk River. • Gen. Burgoyne would descend from Montreal on Lake Champlain • Gen. Howe would drive men northward from NY up the Albany River. They’d all meet in Albany. • Problems: • Benedict Arnold had stuck around in Montreal and delayed the British until Spring. • Terrain was difficult and supplies ran low • St. Leger’s men were defeated and turned back; Howe decided to use his own plan and attack Washington at Philadelphia(whom he defeated)

A Bitter Winter at Valley Forge • Washington’s troops camped for the winter at Valley Forge • It was bitterly cold, morale and supplies were low, desertions were high • Von Steuben’s trainings were kicked into high gear, transforming the rag-tag militia into a true army.

A Crucial Battle • Burgoyne's 7,000 troops arrived at the site of the planned battle at Saratoga tired and weary. He was alone, the other 2/3 of the plan didn't arrive. • He had no choice but to surrender on Oct. 17, 1777. • Saratoga was the turning point in the war because • it was truly a major victory in military terms • it gave a huge boost to colonial morale • it convinced France that America might actually have a chance to win and to openly aid America.

Friendship with France LL Cool Frank

A World War Emerges • France pledges aid to America, then goes to war with England • Longtime enemy of England • Louis XVI wanted to show his people he was a strong leader • France’s navy would prove to be the most essential element of its alliance with the colonies. • France spirals into severe debt as a result of its aid to the colonies, helping spark the French Revolution

Waging War • The British planned to attack the South. • The war turned ugly here. The Americans fought guerilla style, thrashing at British supply lines. The most famous was Francis Marion (the "Swamp Fox") who'd attack then disappear with his men into the swamps. • 1777 was called "the bloody year" on the frontier when the British paid Indians for scalps.

Yorktown • British General Cornwallis moved his men to Chesapeake Bay to get more supplies via the British navy. • The French navy moved in and sealed off the Bay. • Gen. Washington and Rochambeau saw the chance and moved their troops in to seal off the peninsula. • Cornwallis was penned in and was forced to surrender.

Yorktown? • Click to Add Text

Ending the War • The Treaty of Paris, 1783 ended the American Revolution. Its terms were: • England recognized American independence all the way to the Mississippi River. • America retained some fishing rights in Newfoundland. • The American Loyalists were to be treated fairly and Congress was to recommend to the states that the land that had been taken from the Loyalists was to be returned. (The lands never did return to the Loyalists though).

The American Revolution