A Revolution in America1775-1783

Beginning a War

• April 18-19, 1775 • Regulars march out to Concord to destroy

ammunitions• Locals are expecting the regulars• Minutemen and militiamen are ready to respond• Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts

– “shot heard round the world”

Loyalist or Patriot?“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!”

~ Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775

Loyalist or Patriot?

“If I must be enslaved let it be by a King at

least, and not by a parcel of upstart

lawless Committeemen. If I must be

devoured, let me be devoured by the jaws of

a lion and not gnawed to death by rats and

vermin.”~Samuel Seabury, Anglican Clergyman

from Connecticut

Patriots/Whigs

ADVANTAGES:• Home field: knew the

land

• Emotional: fighting for freedom

• Strong leadership: Gen. George Washington

DISADVANTAGES:• Shortage of supplies

• No navy

• Weak government

Gadsden Flag

http://www.americanrevolution.com/

British Army/Loyalists/Tories

ADVANTAGES:• Great navy

• Experienced army

• Larger number of available troops

DISADVANTAGES:• Distance from

supplies

• Weak leadership

• Military strategies

www.appliedlanguage.com

Second Continental Congress• Philadelphia, 1775-1776

• Ben Franklin, John Hancock, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson

• Extend peace and reconciliation to King

George III

-No response

• print money, establish post office, create committees to communicate

Common Sense

• Thomas Paine

• Pamphlet called for complete independence

• Accused king of tyranny

• 500,000 copies sold

• Influences colonial opinion in favor of independence

Common SenseI offer nothing more than simple facts, plain

arguments, and common sense . . .O ye that lovemankind!

Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, butthe tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the old worldis overrun with oppression.

Freedom hath been hunted round the globe.Asia, and Africa, have long expelled her—Europeregards her like a stranger, and England hathgiven her warning to depart. O! receive thefugitive, and prepare in time an asylum formankind."

Common Sense

. . . we have every opportunity and everyencouragement before us, to form the noblest purestconstitution on the face of the earth. We have it in ourpower to begin the world over again. A situation,similar to the present, hath not happened since thedays of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world isat hand, and a race of men, perhaps as numerous asall Europe contains, are to receive their portion offreedom from the event of a few months.

~Thomas Paine

Second Continental Congress

a) Declaration of Independence -Thomas Jefferson

-issues debated: slavery, women’s rights and totalindependence

-four sections: 1. Preamble 2. Natural Rights 3. Grievances

4. Proclamation of independenceb) declare warc) Commander of Continental Army: George Washington

Declaration of Independence

Watch the clip and answer the questions:

• Why is the Declaration of Independence significant?

• What lines, phrases or words stick out to you?

• What does the Declaration of Independence achieve? What is not achieved?

War Between America and Britain

• 1776 = low point of war– Disadvantages were evident– “These are the times that try men’s souls.”

-Thomas Paine

• Washington crosses the Delaware-1776

• Battle of Saratoga-1777– Turning point of war: Americans prove to

Europe their ability to win

www.metmuseum.org

War Between America and Britain

• Valley Forge-1778

• Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown-October 1781

www.sheilaomalley.com/archives/surrender.gif

War Between America and Britain

End of a Revolution

• Treaty of Paris, 1783– Formally ended the war between American

Colonies and Britain– Britain recognized American Independence

– Is this revolution successful or not? What is accomplished? What is not accomplished?

The Patriot Clip