The American Revolution

The Decision for Independence Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson. Natural rights had been “endowed” to all persons “by their Creator.” Natural rights had been “endowed” to all persons “by their Creator.” No need to claim “rights as Englishmen” No need to claim “rights as Englishmen” Blamed King George III Blamed King George III Americans no longer considered themselves English Americans no longer considered themselves English Upheld the right of the people to overthrow oppressive rule. Upheld the right of the people to overthrow oppressive rule. Based its argument primarily on the contract theory of government developed by John Locke: power comes from the consent of the people. Based its argument primarily on the contract theory of government developed by John Locke: power comes from the consent of the people.

The Declaration of Independence The Continental Congress passed the resolution on July 2, 1776 On July 4, 1776, each member of the Second Continental Congress signed the document.

Choosing Sides 1/3 American Loyalists (Tories) 1/3 American Loyalists (Tories) Often lived in urban and coastal areas. Often lived in urban and coastal areas. 1/3 Patriots (actively supported) 1/3 Patriots (actively supported) 1/3 Did not care enough to fight 1/3 Did not care enough to fight Not just a war between the British and Americans; truly a civil war. Not just a war between the British and Americans; truly a civil war.

Who should win? Why?

Turning Points On Christmas night, 1776, Washington slipped across the Delaware River at Trenton (New Jersey) with 2,400 men and surprised the drunken Hessians, killing or capturing over a thousand. On Christmas night, 1776, Washington slipped across the Delaware River at Trenton (New Jersey) with 2,400 men and surprised the drunken Hessians, killing or capturing over a thousand. 6 American casualties. 6 American casualties.

Turning Points Victory at Saratoga (October 1777) Victory at Saratoga (October 1777) Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold capture John Burgoyne and 9,500 British Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold capture John Burgoyne and 9,500 British Saratoga changed Saratoga changed everything everything Franco-American Franco-American Alliance Alliance

Turning Points Battle of Yorktown (Virginia) Battle of Yorktown (Virginia) October 19, 1781 October 19, 1781 Lord Charles Cornwallis surrounded by French fleet and surrenders to Washington Lord Charles Cornwallis surrounded by French fleet and surrenders to Washington Over 7,000 British and Hessians became prisoners Over 7,000 British and Hessians became prisoners Added to setbacks in other parts of the world, the British decided to end the war. Added to setbacks in other parts of the world, the British decided to end the war.

Peace of Paris (1783) An important factor in the conclusion of peace negotiations with Britain was the American decision to negotiate separately with the British. An important factor in the conclusion of peace negotiations with Britain was the American decision to negotiate separately with the British. Terms Terms U.S. political independence recognized U.S. political independence recognized Mississippi River recognized as western border of the United States Mississippi River recognized as western border of the United States Congress would not prevent the British merchants from collecting debts owed to them by Americans Congress would not prevent the British merchants from collecting debts owed to them by Americans Florida was given to Spain Florida was given to Spain

Results of the American Revolution: Social effects Spirit of equality weakened old habits of deference Spirit of equality weakened old habits of deference Example: voting qualifications were lowered Example: voting qualifications were lowered Higher education increased Higher education increased Example: 14 colleges founded in 1780s and 90s to go with the 9 before Revolution Example: 14 colleges founded in 1780s and 90s to go with the 9 before Revolution

Results of the American Revolution: Social effects Complete freedom of religion Complete freedom of religion Transition from the toleration of religious dissent to a complete freedom of religion in the separation of church and state Transition from the toleration of religious dissent to a complete freedom of religion in the separation of church and state Legislative representation for the backcountry was increased Legislative representation for the backcountry was increased Weakened the major Indian tribes along the frontier / cleared the way for rapid settlement of the trans-Appalachian West Weakened the major Indian tribes along the frontier / cleared the way for rapid settlement of the trans-Appalachian West

Results of the American Revolution: Slavery British army freed thousands of slaves; others escaped British army freed thousands of slaves; others escaped 55,000 slaves fled to freedom during the Revolution 55,000 slaves fled to freedom during the Revolution Slaves who fought for the colonies were given their freedom Slaves who fought for the colonies were given their freedom Northern states began to outlaw slavery Northern states began to outlaw slavery Only Georgia and South Carolina continued to import. Only Georgia and South Carolina continued to import.

Results of the American Revolution: Political Most political experimentation between 1776 and 1787 occurred at the state level with new state constitutions Most political experimentation between 1776 and 1787 occurred at the state level with new state constitutions The Articles of Confederation were ratified by the states in 1781; before then the Continental Congress operated as an extralegal body The Articles of Confederation were ratified by the states in 1781; before then the Continental Congress operated as an extralegal body Articles of Confederation (1781) Articles of Confederation (1781) Weak central government with little authority Weak central government with little authority Congress was not intended as a legislature, nor as a sovereign entity unto itself, but as a collective substitute for the monarch – a plural executive rather than a parliamentary body Congress was not intended as a legislature, nor as a sovereign entity unto itself, but as a collective substitute for the monarch – a plural executive rather than a parliamentary body