The Road to Independence

The French & Indian War ( ) Causes of the warCauses of the war Mercantilism lead to rivalry between Britain & FranceMercantilism lead to rivalry between Britain & France British & colonists vs. French & ‘Indians’British & colonists vs. French & ‘Indians’ Albany Plan of Union – Ben Franklin’s plan for unification of colonies (early model of colonial gov)Albany Plan of Union – Ben Franklin’s plan for unification of colonies (early model of colonial gov) Britain wins the war but loses the respect and loyalty of colonistsBritain wins the war but loses the respect and loyalty of colonists Treaty of Paris (1763)Treaty of Paris (1763) France is out of N. AmericaFrance is out of N. America Crash Course: French & Indian WarCrash Course: French & Indian WarCrash Course: French & Indian WarCrash Course: French & Indian War

Issues Behind the Revolution Proclamation of 1763 – no colonists west of the Appalachians.Proclamation of 1763 – no colonists west of the Appalachians. Series of taxes and policies aimed at asserting control over, and profiting more from, the coloniesSeries of taxes and policies aimed at asserting control over, and profiting more from, the colonies See chart p. 92See chart p. 92 “No taxation without representation!”“No taxation without representation!” Boston Massacre (p. 94) & Boston Tea PartyBoston Massacre (p. 94) & Boston Tea Party Intolerable ActsIntolerable Acts

Issues Behind the Revolution The First Continental CongressThe First Continental Congress Every colony except Georgia sent delegates to Philadelphia.Every colony except Georgia sent delegates to Philadelphia. Appeal made to the King (rejected)Appeal made to the King (rejected) Call for colonists to boycott British goods and arm themselves / form militiasCall for colonists to boycott British goods and arm themselves / form militias Lexington & Concord (April 1775) – first shots of the RevolutionLexington & Concord (April 1775) – first shots of the Revolution

Ideas Behind the Revolution Common Sense, Thomas Paine (Jan, 1776) – influential pamphlet that convinces many it’s time to break with England. Common Sense, Thomas Paine (Jan, 1776) – influential pamphlet that convinces many it’s time to break with England. Common Sense Common Sense Second Continental Congress – Declaration of Independence (p. 102) adopted by the delegates of all 13 colonies on July 4 th, 1776.Second Continental Congress – Declaration of Independence (p. 102) adopted by the delegates of all 13 colonies on July 4 th, Outlines a theory of government (see table p. 100)Outlines a theory of government (see table p. 100) Explains why the colonies broke from EnglandExplains why the colonies broke from England Announces to the world that the U.S. is bornAnnounces to the world that the U.S. is born

Fighting for Independence British Forces:British Forces: Large, well equipped army and navyLarge, well equipped army and navy Reinforced by approx. 50,000 loyalists, some African Americans, Native Americans and 30,000 mercenariesReinforced by approx. 50,000 loyalists, some African Americans, Native Americans and 30,000 mercenaries Did not adapt fighting style to American waysDid not adapt fighting style to American ways War was unpopular in BritainWar was unpopular in Britain American ForcesAmerican Forces George Washington – strong leaderGeorge Washington – strong leader Better fighting tacticsBetter fighting tactics African American volunteersAfrican American volunteers Alliance with FranceAlliance with France

Fighting for Independence Initially, the British overwhelm American forcesInitially, the British overwhelm American forces Battle of Long Island, British capture NYCBattle of Long Island, British capture NYC The Crisis, Thomas Paine The Crisis, Thomas Paine Winter, 1776Winter, 1776 Continental Army victories at Trenton and PrincetonContinental Army victories at Trenton and Princeton Morale is boosted and volunteers increaseMorale is boosted and volunteers increase Despite these victories, British again prevail and take PhiladelphiaDespite these victories, British again prevail and take Philadelphia Battle of Saratoga (Oct. 1777) – Major American victory that turns tide of the war.Battle of Saratoga (Oct. 1777) – Major American victory that turns tide of the war. Victory at Saratoga pulls France, Spain and the Netherlands into the war as American alliesVictory at Saratoga pulls France, Spain and the Netherlands into the war as American allies

Fighting for Independence The Battle of Saratoga – The History Channel (9:32)The Battle of Saratoga – The History Channel (9:32)The Battle of Saratoga The Battle of Saratoga

Winning Independence Battle of Yorktown (Oct 1780) – American and French forces trap the British and force surrender.Battle of Yorktown (Oct 1780) – American and French forces trap the British and force surrender. Treaty of Paris (Sept. 1783)Treaty of Paris (Sept. 1783) Britain recognizes the United States of AmericaBritain recognizes the United States of America U.S. borders: Canadian border, west to the Mississippi River, south to Florida. (see map p. 1099)U.S. borders: Canadian border, west to the Mississippi River, south to Florida. (see map p. 1099) The ideal of Liberty spreads, but initially, little changes in America for anyone who isn’t white, male and a landowner.The ideal of Liberty spreads, but initially, little changes in America for anyone who isn’t white, male and a landowner.

U. S. History Crash Course