The American Revolution, 1775-1783 The Combatants.
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Transcript of The American Revolution, 1775-1783 The Combatants.
• British Advantages–Army of Regulars–Top Navy–30,000 Hessians–50,000 American
loyalists–Money and
supplies
• American Advantages–3,000 miles of ocean–Home Turf–Fighting for
independence–Leadership–Possible French
assistance
First Continental Congress
• Convened in Phil. in ‘74 –Statement of grievances to King–Preparations for fighting–Boycott–Agreed to meet again in ‘75
The Fighting Begins
• Lexington and Concord ‘75–“The shot heard round the world”–Unclear start to a revolution–Approves “Olive Branch
Petition”
Common Sense• Published Jan.’76• Sold 100,000
copies in first four months
• Called for complete split from Britain and its constitution
Thomas Paine
Conducting the War: States v. Central government
• Despite individual states vying for power, Congress given power to coordinate the war but
–State militias
–States volunteering money
Phase I: New England ’75-’76
• Bunker Hill: British driven from Mass
• England ‘wins’ but loses ½ its men
• British realize the scope of the revolution
Phase II: The Mid-Atlantic ’76-’78
• Trenton NJ:Washington attacks during winter with limited success
• Battle of Saratoga:– Turning point– French have the confidence to support the
Patriots with supplies
Phase III:The South• Diplomatic recognition followed in ’78
• Britain’s European wars expand
• French Navy arrives
Phase III: The South (cont.)• Britain hoped to rely on Loyalists in the
south for support• Military commitment by Britain decreases• Yorktown marks last major battle
–Cornwallis cornered between land and sea
–French-American army surround British
War and Economy
Trade with Britain cut offNo protection at sea
• Diversified by the 1780s
–New trading partners
–Formation of navy
–Some industry forms
Treaty of Paris of 1783
• US bordered by Mississippi, Canada, Atlantic, and Florida
• Diplomatic recog. by British
• British promise to evacuate Ohio Valley
• US promises to pay debts
War and Society
• Loyalists harassed–Left behind property and estates–Many moved to Canada or
Britain • Native-Americans generally
opposed the Rev.• Mixed bag for African-Americans
Toleration and Slavery
• Where it was not used, usually abolished
• SC and GA refused to halt slave trade
• Sep. of Church and State (Statute of Relig. Freedom by Thomas Jefferson of VA)
State Constitutions
• Guiding principle: Do the opposite of Britain
• Republicanism• CN & RI simply changed their colonial
charters• Limited executive branch• Most had bicameral legislatures• Property req. for voting