The American Revolution and/or War of Independence,

What’s in a Name? “War of Independence” “American Revolution” “Revolutionary War” In Britain: “American Revolutionary War” “Revolution of 1775” “American Insurrection”

Colonists divided John Adams’ estimate, 1775: One-third of colonists Patriots (revolutionaries) One-third of colonists Loyalists (“Tories”) One-third of colonists neutral, undecided Actually, fairly accurate (40%, 25%, 35%)

Colonists divided “Patriots” were a militant, radical minority – Claiming to represent the majority Key to patriot success: – Change the percentages: attract the undecided – Drive out or isolate Loyalists – Just enough military success to sway opinion

Colonists divided War/Revolution was a civil war – Colonists fought on both sides – Every sociological category of people on both sides Women, African Americans, farmers, immigrants, New Englanders, Native Americans, etc. – Families split by fighting Ben Franklin’s son was a Loyalist – NOT “the Americans” vs. “the British” in 1775 American/British distinction an *effect* of the war more than a *cause* of the war Most colonists not of British ancestry (English, Scottish, Welsh, Scots-Irish)

1775 Patriots: British AND American? “Grand Union Flag” First national flag of the U.S.; carried into battle against British forces, 1775 County militia flag from Pennsylvania, 1775 Carried into battle against British forces

American Revolution as Military Conflict Patriot victory – Wins political conflict with Loyalists – Mixed record in conventional military terms (battlefield) – Successful insurgency against British Empire Parliament decided to cut its losses and stop fighting – British operations alienate loyalists and neutrals British Army encourages slaves to escape – For most slaves, the British represented liberty – Alienated many white Southern loyalists – Diplomatic success: international aid French alliance the key to victory

British surrender to Washington (Library of Congress)

James Armistead Virginia slave and George Washington’s double agent

Treaty of Paris, 1783 Britain recognizes U.S. independence U.S. boundaries extremely generous – More than what U.S. diplomats had asked for! – Includes territory Spain also claims – Includes land claimed by Native American nations Separate peace, without consulting France – U.S. violates its treaty with France – France left to fight war w/ Britain, make its own treaty – U.S. and France still allied after the war? U.S. says no, France says yes

A map presented to Benjamin Franklin by the Royal Cartographer of France, showing the 1783 Treaty boundaries (Royalty-Free/CORBIS)

Unresolved land/people issues of 1780’s Questions addressed by Constitution (of 1787) Loyalist refugees – “British” in the U.S.? U.S.-Britain relationship Independence does not mean friendship Official status = what are the states, exactly? 13 countries? One country? Plural: “the United States are” Who owns the western territories? Native American sovereignty Nations, non-nations, or something else?