Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY The American Revolution: 1775-1783 Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY Edited by Gelber
Essential Questions TOP 10 LIST of events leading to Revolution? Was the American War for Independence inevitable? Were the origins of the American Revolution economic or ideological? Was the American Revolution a “radical” or “conservative” revolution? Would you have been a revolutionary in 1776? Why did some stay loyal? How did the Declaration of Independence establish the foundation of American government and serve as a model for other countries? (“republicanism”)
Grassroots resistance groups: Sons of Liberty Daughters of Liberty Committees of correspondence Committees of observation
Advantages & Disadvantages On the Eve of the Revolution? ß Britain Americans Military ? Economic
Loyalist Strongholds
Washington’s Headaches Only app 2/5 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence App 1/5 Loyalist (Tory) 2/5 = “Summer soldiers” or “sunshine patriots” Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben.]
Exports & Imports: 1768-1783
Phase I: The Northern Campaign [1775-1776]
The British suffered over 40% casualties. Bunker Hill (June, 1775) The British suffered over 40% casualties.
Phase II: NY & PA [1777-1778]
New York City in Flames (1776)
Washington Crossing the Delaware Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851
A modern-day re-enactment Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War? A modern-day re-enactment
Phase III: The Southern Strategy [1780-1781]
The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Count de Rochambeau Admiral De Grasse
Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown: “The World Turned Upside Down!” Painted by John Trumbull, 1797
Why did the British Lose???
North America After the Treaty of Paris, 1783
Social/Political Impact of Revolution Greater erosion of class differences Soldiers treated w/ respect However, overall distribution of wealth unchanged
(2) Effects on blacks Contradiction w/ Revolutionary ideals of equality & justice? Some opportunity to escape slavery All No. states banned slavery beginning in 1777 thru 1804 Some ppl freed slaves voluntarily (“manumission”) All states banned slave trade from Africa by 1808
“Self-help” for free blacks Formed churches (Baptist & AME Church) Some prominent blacks, like mathematician/astronomer Benjamin Banneker & poet Phyllis Wheatley
(3) Effects on women --Not so much long-term impact… -- Active pre-war (boycotts) -- During war, “camp followers” -- cooking, laundry & nursing --Many at home managing household, farms & biz while hubbies away **common theme in wars**
Some new attitudes about women? -- Right to choose husband -- Fewer kids per family after 1770 –Result? --Widespread idea of “republican motherhood”
(4) Effects on Indians (---No provisions made for Native Americans in peace treaty --Indian population decimated in east, scattered in west
(5) Effect on organized religion (: **State-established churches ended by 1780s (except for New England’s Congregational Church) –”disestablished” WHY? Anglican Church -- loyalist sympathies Quakers—disliked due to pacifism Also, due to New Light religions’ questioning of established orthodoxies
(6) Political Impact Some innovations in new state Constitutions: Ex: Thomas Jefferson’s Statute for Religious Freedom 1786 Va Constitution separated church & state Separation of branches in all Bill (or Declaration) of Rights included But… voting & office-holding restricted to white male property owners
Articles of Confederation --Weak national govt --Power in states One bright spot: Western lands (Land Ordinances; Northwest Ordinance) Serious problems!! International weakness Shays’s Rebellion