Aspects of the American Revolution

3 Aspects of the American Revolution Ideological Aspects What were the ideas that inspired the Revolution? Diplomatic Aspects Who obtained help for America’s Revolution? Where did that help come from? In what ways was it helpful? Military Aspects Who was George Washington, and how was his role in the war pivotal to the outcome? How did geography determine the end of the war?

Ideological Aspects: The Declaration of Independence The Second Continental Congress May 1775 Representatives meet again to decide what to do following Lexington & Concord. Body that governed the colonies through the Revolution In June, the 2nd Continental Congress decides to declare independence.

Ideological Aspects: Creating the Declaration of Independence The Committee of Five The 2nd Continental Congress created a committee of five men to draft a letter to King George III announcing colonial independence. John Adams (Massachusetts), Thomas Jefferson (Virginia), Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania), Roger Sherman (Connecticut), & Robert Livingston (New York). After discussing the general outline of the letter, the committee decided Thomas Jefferson would write it.

Ideological Aspects: The Declaration of Independence Document written to announce colonial independence from England A young delegate from Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, did most of the actual writing of the Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was signed July 4, 1776 It was the official break of the colonies from England

Ideological Aspects: Declaration of Independence States men are born with inalienable rights of life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness Citizens have a right to resist the government if it no longer operates correctly John Locke A political philosopher who influenced Jefferson’s writing of the Declaration of Independence He believed in natural rights of life, liberty, & property. Also stated that people allow governments to rule them, until those governments become corrupt

Diplomatic Aspects: French Aid Diplomacy The art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations It is always conducted with the desire to gain something, usually without any conflict. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams & France 2nd Continental Congress sends Franklin and Adams to France to seek money, supplies, & a military alliance Remember, France & England do not like each other, France was defeated in the French & Indian War only 20 years ago. France was unwilling to commit until the U.S. won a major battle against the British

Diplomatic Aspects: French Aid Franklin & Adams Franklin Franklin spoke French & attended late night meetings in Paris called “salons.” Here Franklin became acquainted with the major figures in French politics. Already internationally known for discovering electricity, Franklin was well regarded by the French. Adams Adams barely spoke French, and as a descendant of the Puritans, went to bed early. Adams was not very effective in dealing with the French. However, Adams did contribute to creating the treaty with France that brought the French into the war. Later he would serve as the liaison to Holland.

Diplomatic Aspects: French Aid The Battle of Saratoga October 1777 Saratoga, New York, the Continental Army defeated the British in a major battle This convinced the French the U.S. could win the war, & to commit money, ships, & men to the American Revolution For the French, the American Revolution was an opportunity to humiliate the British Remember the French lost the French & Indian War to the British. The British declare war on France

Diplomatic Aspects: French Aid Marquis de Lafayette A young French Officer & Nobleman, sent by the French to aid the Americans. He was one of George Washington’s favorite Staff members. He trained soldiers at Valley Forge. His involvement was evidence that France would send French reinforcements & supplies to American soldiers.

Military Aspects: General Washington George Washington Veteran of the French & Indian War Former Colonel of the Virginia Regiment Virginia Regiment- First full time military unit in America; defended Virginia in the French & Indian War Survived Smallpox Resident of Virginia; Large Landowner Member of the House of Burgesses Physical Characteristics Six Feet tall; Washington towered over other men of his time. Athletic; considered great on a horse.

Military Aspects: The Continental Army George Washington Due to his experience, Washington was appointed Commander of the Continental Army As Commander he would overcome many problems in the Army Weaknesses of the Continental Army Pay was low and uncertain No compensation for death or injury Had no formal training or experience with the British Army Disease was common Often no tents Food was scarce Had trouble keeping enlistments

Military Aspects: The Continental Army Strengths of the Continental Army Strong military leadership under Washington & other Generals. Soldiers fighting for a cause, independence, that they believed in. Fighting on home territory.

Military Aspects: The Crossing of the Delaware December 25, 1776 Christmas Day Night Washington & 2400 men crossed the Delaware river during the night In the early morning hours Washington’s Army defeated a group of Hessian Mercenaries at Trenton, New Jersey Known as the Battle of Trenton

Military Aspects: Valley Forge Battle at Brandywine Following the “Crossing of the Delaware”, Washington’s Army fought the British at the Battle of the Brandywine, September 1777. Washington lost, which allowed the British to seize Philadelphia, PA, in December 1777. Winter at Valley Forge Following the defeat at Brandywine, Washington’s army camped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to wait out the winter of 1778. Weather was extremely cold, & food & other supplies were scarce. Despite this, Washington was able to persuade most of the Army to stay with him until Spring. Marquis de Lafayette was also present, & was able instruct the army in valuable training

Military Aspects: Baron von Steuben Military Trainer Born in Prussia (modern day Germany) in 1730. Joined the Prussian Army at 17. He gained experience in European military tactics fighting in Europe for Prussia, and later France. Inspector General for the Continental Army In 1777, the French mentioned von Steuben to Benjamin Franklin as someone who could help Washington train American troops in European tactics. Baron von Steuben came to the colonies that same year Washington made him the Inspector General at Valley Forge In this role von Steuben trained Americans and wrote a manual in French for battle tactics Alexander Hamilton translated it to English

Military Aspects: Loyalists of the South The British Move South Following the British defeat at Saratoga, New York, the British move the majority of their operations to the southern colonies In 1779, the British captured Savannah, GA. In 1780, the British captured Charleston, SC. The major reason behind the British southern strategy was the amount of Loyalists in the south. Loyalist: American colonist supportive of King George III.

Military Aspects: British Surrender The Battle of Yorktown October, 1781 General Charles Cornwallis marched the British Army through the Carolinas to Yorktown, VA. General Washington blocked Cornwallis’s Army’s escape on land The French Navy blocked his escape on sea Cornwallis is forced to surrender the British Army His surrender ended the American Revolution.

Peace Treaty: 1783 The Treaty of Paris 1783 Ended the American Revolution England recognized The United as an independent nation. Gained control of all land east of the Mississippi River, EXCEPT Canada Britain had to give Florida away to Spain France got African & Caribbean colonies from Britain