REVOLUTIONARY WARChapter 8

The battles, people & documents that changed the continent!

Lexington & Concord April 1775

Massachusetts70 colonists vs. 700 BritishStockpile of gun powderShots fired—no winner—but WAR

STARTSPaul Revere—”The British are coming!”British formal declaration of war—

Aug.1775

2nd Continental Congress-May 1775

1-Washington appointed as GeneralWhy is he picked?

2-redress of grievances appeal to king

No declaration of independence or reconciliation

Phase IPhase I:: The Northern The Northern CampaignCampaign[1775-1776][1775-1776]

Ft. Ticonderoga May 1775

Ethan Allen & Benedict Arnold for colonists

NY fortGuns & artillery for seige of Boston

Bunker Hill June 1775

Col. Prescott vs. Brit. Gen. HowerPrescott wants to take Boston1500 men for colonists

Howe loses 1000 men in frontal attackBUT:

Colonists end fighting—run out of gun powder

By 1776—British troops evacuate out of Boston Head to NY

1775-Olive Branch Petition

After Bunker HillProfess loyalty to Britain and want an

end to fightingKing’s reaction???

Quebec December 1775

Gen. Montgomery & ArnoldCanada as 14th colony??Montgomery goes thru Lake Champlain

takes Montreal----killed in battleArnold goes thru Maine to meet at

Quebec-----Arnold woundedOffensive war; not defensive

Common Sense by Thomas Paine January,1776

Key points: 1-an island should not rule a continent 2-government gets its power from the people;

the king is too powerful 3-reconciliation won’t work 4-”a government of our own is our natural

right” 5-colonies get no economic benefit from

England

Long Island 1776

Brit. Gen Howe uses NY as base of operations

Brit-control most of NYWashington retreats

But: Howe doesn’t chase WashingtonColonists outnumbered

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCEJULY 2, 1776

"Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that those United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States." (Letter to wife Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776)

July 1776-Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson3 key points

A-natural rights of manB-grievances against King George 3rd

C-fundamental principles of government

“shot heard round the world”—inspiration to others fighting tyranny

Clip on decl of indep

THE CRISIS

After Washington’s retreat from NY to NJA crisis of confidence . . .

Trenton December 1776

Surprise attack by Washington vs. Hessians

Cross the Delaware River at nightTiming

Result: Hessians surrender in 1 hourEncourage re-enlistment

Princeton January 1777

Brit Gen Howe sends troops to NJ to help

Washington vs. CornwallisSurprise attack

Brit retreat to NYClear NJ of British Improve American morale

We can do it!!!

Saratoga October 1777

After British attack PhiladelphiaWashington’s troops to Valley ForgeBrit. Gen. Burgoyne vs. Am. Gen. Gates

Britain loses—short of suppliesBurgoyne surrenders!

French aid to colonists

After colonists win at Saratoga-formal treaty 1775-1777--secretly give guns/ammo/money French aid includes:

$ Equipment ½ the total troops Navy

FRENCH AID CHANGES BRITISH STRATEGY

WHY?

HOW?

1778 FORMAL TREATY WITH FRANCE

Creates a world war Colonists vs. British France Spain Holland Why did many side against British?

Neutrals—Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal & Prussia

War out West

Along Ohio River (Indiana/Illinois)Kaskaskia, Cahokia and VincennesAm-George Rogers ClarkWhy fight here?

British fortsDetroitMississippi RiverLong Term?

Phase IIIPhase III:: The Southern The Southern Strategy Strategy [1780-1781][1780-1781]

War in the South

Loyalists territory but overextendedNeed portsSavannah, Cowpens & Kings Mtn.

Results:Am. Lose battlesBrit lose many men

Patriots Loyalists

Like “Whigs Minority movement Younger Poor people Strongest in New

England

20% of American population

Older people More educated; wealthy Clergy or those with

strong church ties Strongest in Penn, NJ,

New York City & Charleston SC

At wars end-80,000 flee to Canada

LoyalistLoyalist

StrongholStrongholdsds

INFLUENCE OF PRIVATEERS—War at Sea

“legal” piratesJohn Paul Jones & othersDestroy British merchant ships1000 ships

Capture 600 British ships Impact?

Diverts manpower Brings in gold & supplies Increased American morale British shippers complain to king to end war

Yorktown October 1781

Chesapeake BayBritain waiting for suppliesWashington vs. Brit. Gen. Cornwallis

RochambeaudeGrasse

Britain surrendered—give up 8,000 men

Treaty of Paris

Delegates—Franklin, Adams & JaySupposed to consult with French prior to

agreement—but they don’tWhy not??

What problems does this create between US & France??

Treaty Provisions

1-formal recognition of independence 2-share Newfoundland waters 3-recommend loyalists get land & $ back; no

persecution of loyalists 4-land boundaries

West—Mississippi River North-Great Lakes South-Spanish Florida

Why such generous terms????

North America After theNorth America After theTreaty of Paris, 1783Treaty of Paris, 1783

Results of the War

Britain

France

Colonists

Native Americans