The American Revolution 1775-1781

A Rough Beginning War goes poorly British capture New York, Philadelphia, Savannah, & Charleston Washington is able to keep the army/revolution intact despite multiple defeats

Write Your Liberties Down All thirteen new states prepare written Constitutions John Adams wrote Massachusetts Property requirements for voting lowered Elected bicameral legislatures & governors

The New National Government Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation Written by committee headed by John Dickenson Weak national government (intentional) “a firm league of friendship”

The Articles Unicameral legislature No executive or judicial branches Called the Continental Congress One vote per state 2/3 to pass laws Unanimous to amend the Articles No executive or judicial branches

Ratification Problems not ratified until 1781 Argument over states claims for western lands Eventually all lands ceded to Congress

The French Alliance Turning point of the war is the American victory at Saratoga in 1777 Allows American ambassador to France Benjamin Franklin to convince the French to form an alliance with the U.S. French money, supplies, & military assistance enable the American victory

Washington’s Finest Moment Low point of the Revolution was the winter of 1777-78 Army spends the winter at Valley Forge, Penn. Many deserted due to cold & hunger Washington held the army together Revolution would last as long as the army was fighting

The End of the Revolutionary War War moves to the south in 1780 & 81 Lord Cornwallis surrenders a British army to Washington at Yorktown, Virginia on Oct. 19, 1781 Effectively ends the war English decide the colonies were not worth the cost & effort

Independence!!! War ended by Treaty of Paris of 1783 Grants American independence All territory East of Mississippi River except Canada & Florida Fishing rights off Newfoundland

The Original United States