The American The American RevolutionRevolutionSeceding from the EmpireSeceding from the Empire

The Road to RevolutionThe Road to Revolution

War and MoneyWar and Money

• French and Indian war left French and Indian war left England in severe debt, England in severe debt, requiring them to enforce requiring them to enforce taxes in the colonies.taxes in the colonies.

• Mercantilism: Colonies Mercantilism: Colonies existed for the benefit of the existed for the benefit of the mother countrymother country– add to the empire’s wealth, add to the empire’s wealth,

prosperity, and self-sufficiencyprosperity, and self-sufficiency– Act as both suppliers and Act as both suppliers and

consumers for the empire.consumers for the empire.

Navigation ActsNavigation Acts

• Created to enforce the Created to enforce the mercantilist systemmercantilist system

• Restricted commerce to and from Restricted commerce to and from the colonies to English or the colonies to English or American vessels (blocking the American vessels (blocking the Dutch traders)Dutch traders)– Molasses Act: imposed heavy duties Molasses Act: imposed heavy duties

on all molasses, rum, and sugar on all molasses, rum, and sugar imported from the French Caribbeanimported from the French Caribbean

Positives and Negatives of Positives and Negatives of MercantilismMercantilism

• Positives:Positives:– Colonials held more independence and Colonials held more independence and

opportunities than their English opportunities than their English brethrenbrethren

– Had British military protection free of Had British military protection free of charge and profited from British tradecharge and profited from British trade

• Negatives:Negatives:– Suffered from high export pricesSuffered from high export prices– Writs of Assistance harassed colonial Writs of Assistance harassed colonial

shipping to reduce illegal tradeshipping to reduce illegal trade• ““No taxation without representation”No taxation without representation”

The Acts that Broke the The Acts that Broke the Camel’s BackCamel’s Back

• Proclamation of 1763Proclamation of 1763• Currency ActCurrency Act• Sugar ActsSugar Acts• Quartering ActQuartering Act• Stamp ActStamp Act• Townshend ActsTownshend Acts• Tea ActTea Act

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.

Humans are all born free and equal, with three

natural rights: life, liberty, and property.

Man’s right to freedom of religion and speech

must be protected, oui?

“I may not agree with a thing you say, but I will

defend to the death your right to say it.”

Power should not be held by one man alone, but

separated amongst several branches. Power should be

a check to power.

Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.

The sovereignty of the people is essential to the

creation of a just government.

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.

If all men are born free, how is it that all women are born

slaves?

America has Separation America has Separation IssuesIssues

• Colonists felt physically separated Colonists felt physically separated from Englandfrom England– Led to support of republicanismLed to support of republicanism

• Colonists felt economically separatedColonists felt economically separated– Colonial money not accepted for taxesColonial money not accepted for taxes– Felt used under mercantilism (salutary Felt used under mercantilism (salutary

neglect)neglect)

• Colonists felt philosophically separatedColonists felt philosophically separated– Support of Enlightenment ideasSupport of Enlightenment ideas– Thomas Paine’s Thomas Paine’s Common SenseCommon Sense

Virginia ResolvesVirginia Resolves

• VA believed the Stamp Act attacked VA believed the Stamp Act attacked colonials’ rights as Englishmencolonials’ rights as Englishmen

• Patrick Henry presented 7 resolutions Patrick Henry presented 7 resolutions claiming that Virginia could only tax claiming that Virginia could only tax Virginians.Virginians.

• Grenville claimed colonists had Grenville claimed colonists had “virtual representation”“virtual representation”

• Colonists did not necessarily want Colonists did not necessarily want direct representation – would mean direct representation – would mean higher taxeshigher taxes

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

Sons of LibertySons of Liberty

• Led by Samuel AdamsLed by Samuel Adams• Violently enforcedViolently enforced

nonimportationnonimportation

agreements against violatorsagreements against violators• Used tar and featheringUsed tar and feathering• Caused all Stamp Act agents toCaused all Stamp Act agents to

resign, causing the repeal of theresign, causing the repeal of the

Stamp ActStamp Act

What’s wrong with this picture?

Boston Tea PartyBoston Tea Party• Patriot Sam Adams Patriot Sam Adams

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

The Committees of The Committees of CorrespondenceCorrespondence

• The Townshend duties had failed to The Townshend duties had failed to increase revenue, but had produced increase revenue, but had produced rebellion.rebellion.– All taxes were repealed, except tea tax – just to All taxes were repealed, except tea tax – just to

prove a pointprove a point

• Samuel Adams established the Samuel Adams established the “committees of correspondence” – letter-“committees of correspondence” – letter-writing network with the goal of writing network with the goal of exchanging news and organizing exchanging news and organizing resistance.resistance.– Quickly grew to all the colonies.Quickly grew to all the colonies.– Acted as colonial governing groups, ignoring or Acted as colonial governing groups, ignoring or

overriding the rulings of colonial legislaturesoverriding the rulings of colonial legislatures– Grew into the first American congresses (would Grew into the first American congresses (would

send the delegates to Continental Conventions)send the delegates to Continental Conventions)

First Continental CongressFirst Continental Congress

• Met in Philadelphia, Sept.-Oct. 1774Met in Philadelphia, Sept.-Oct. 1774• 12 colonies present (GA absent)12 colonies present (GA absent)

– Most prominent members of colonial congresses, many of Most prominent members of colonial congresses, many of whom would later sign the Declaration of Independencewhom would later sign the Declaration of Independence

• Did NOT desire independence; wrote Did NOT desire independence; wrote Declaration of Declaration of Rights and GrievancesRights and Grievances– Raised fourteen points of colonial protest. In addition to the Raised fourteen points of colonial protest. In addition to the

specific protests of the Stamp Act taxes, it asserted thatspecific protests of the Stamp Act taxes, it asserted that• Only the colonial assemblies had a right to tax the colonies. (no Only the colonial assemblies had a right to tax the colonies. (no

taxation without representation). taxation without representation). • Trial by jury was a right, and the use of Admiralty Courts was abusive. Trial by jury was a right, and the use of Admiralty Courts was abusive. • Colonists possessed all the Rights of Englishmen. Colonists possessed all the Rights of Englishmen. • Without voting rights, Parliament could not represent the colonists. Without voting rights, Parliament could not represent the colonists.

Lexington and ConcordLexington and Concord

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British ScorecardBritish Scorecard

AdvantagesAdvantages• 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)

DisadvantagesDisadvantages• 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

American ScorecardAmerican Scorecard

AdvantagesAdvantages• 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

DisadvantagesDisadvantages• 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”

Common Common SenseSense

• Thomas Paine’s Thomas Paine’s Common SenseCommon Sense: Urged : Urged American American independence as independence as common sensecommon sense– In the physical world, In the physical world,

the smaller body never the smaller body never ruled the larger oneruled the larger one

– It was illogical for a It was illogical for a country to rule another country to rule another from 3000 miles awayfrom 3000 miles away

– He had no respect for a He had no respect for a king who did not protect king who did not protect his own peoplehis own people

• Wrote plainly and Wrote plainly and convincinglyconvincingly

• Called for a republic Called for a republic (which no one had (which no one had tried before)tried before)

The Dividing LineThe Dividing LinePatriotsPatriots

• 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

ToriesTories• Usually older and from

conservative families• Usually from richer, aristocratic

families• Were strong in areas where the

Anglican Church was strong

A Thin Line of HeroesA Thin Line of HeroesNo one expected the colonists to winNo one expected the colonists to win•Lack of supplies because there was no Lack of supplies because there was no moneymoney•Training was quick and often poor, Training was quick and often poor, desertion was commondesertion was common– Baron von Steuben, a Prussian drillmaster, Baron von Steuben, a Prussian drillmaster,

helped whip the Americans into shapehelped whip the Americans into shape

•People on the frontier felt as separated People on the frontier felt as separated from colonial governments as they did from from colonial governments as they did from England, so it didn’t much matter who wonEngland, so it didn’t much matter who won•Merchants liked to sell to the British who Merchants liked to sell to the British who paid in goldpaid in gold

Praying for PeacePraying for Peace

• The Second Continental The Second Continental Congress met in May Congress met in May 1775 in Philadelphia to 1775 in Philadelphia to address the worsening address the worsening situation.situation.

• Sent the Olive Branch Sent the Olive Branch Petition: Pledged Petition: Pledged America’s loyalty and America’s loyalty and asked for peaceasked for peace

• King George III formally King George III formally declared the colonies to declared the colonies to be in a state of rebellionbe in a state of rebellion

……and Preparing for Warand Preparing for War

• The 2ndCC took The 2ndCC took measures to raise measures to raise money to create an money to create an army and navyarmy and navy

• Appointed George Appointed George Washington as Washington as general of the general of the continental armycontinental army

Early BattlesEarly Battles

• Ethan Allen and Benedict Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold led the Green Arnold led the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont to Mountain Boys of Vermont to surprising victories at Ft. surprising victories at Ft. Ticonderoga and Crown PointTiconderoga and Crown Point

• The Americans took Bunker The Americans took Bunker Hill, only to have the British Hill, only to have the British take it in a frontal assaulttake it in a frontal assault– ““Don’t shoot until you see Don’t shoot until you see

the whites of their eyes”the whites of their eyes”

America Secedes From America Secedes From Great BritainGreat Britain

• Richard Henry Lee made a Richard Henry Lee made a motion for independence motion for independence on June 7, 1776.on June 7, 1776.

• A committee was formed A committee was formed to create a formal written to create a formal written declaration of America’s declaration of America’s independence: independence: – John Adams, Benjamin John Adams, Benjamin

Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Robert Livingston, and Roger ShermanRoger Sherman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZfRaWAtBVg

The American Declaration The American Declaration of Independenceof Independence

• The Declaration The Declaration could be broken could be broken down into four down into four parts:parts:– Preamble or Preamble or

introductionintroduction– A statement of rightsA statement of rights– A list of grievancesA list of grievances– A statement of A statement of

separationseparation

Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

The Loyalist ExodusThe Loyalist Exodus

• Before the Declaration, harassment of Before the Declaration, harassment of loyalists was mildloyalists was mild

• After the Declaration, treatment got After the Declaration, treatment got worse, as Tories were labeled as worse, as Tories were labeled as “Traitors”“Traitors”– Loyalists were “roughed up,” imprisoned, Loyalists were “roughed up,” imprisoned,

or sometimes hangedor sometimes hanged– About 80,000 Tories left America, their About 80,000 Tories left America, their

lands quickly confiscated by the Americans lands quickly confiscated by the Americans and sold to raise money for the war effort.and sold to raise money for the war effort.

Genius GeorgeGenius 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 BBritain’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 A Bitter Winter at Valley ForgeForge

• Washington’s troops camped for Washington’s troops camped for the winter at Valley Forgethe winter at Valley Forge

• It was bitterly cold, morale and It was bitterly cold, morale and supplies were low, desertions were supplies were low, desertions were highhigh

• Von Steuben’s trainings were Von Steuben’s trainings were kicked into high gear, transforming kicked into high gear, transforming the rag-tag militia into a true army.the rag-tag militia into a true army.

A Crucial BattleA 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 FranceFriendship with France

A World War EmergesA 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 WarWaging 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.

YorktownYorktown

• 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?Yorktown?

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Ending the WarEnding 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).