The student will identify the ideological, military, and diplomatic aspects of the American Revolution. Standard 4

a. Explain the language, organization, and intellectual sources of the Declaration of Independence; include the writing of John Locke and the role of Thomas Jefferson.

Declaration of Independence One of the most important documents in American history Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft Then made revisions suggested by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and others It addressed a worldwide audience Its language was made simple and direct so people everywhere would understand and sympathize with the colonists’ cause

Declaration of Independence Borrowed phrases from the writings of John Locke Repeated legal arguments made by Charles de Montesquieu Helped convince readers that American independence was supported by the ideas of important philosophers and legal thinkers

Declaration of Independence It explains the philosophical and legal reasons for seeking independence from Britain Also gives examples of how King George III had violated the rights of the colonists

Declaration of Independence Offers a discussion of the Americans’ many unsuccessful attempts to get relief from Britain Ends with the conclusion that the only way for Americans to have their rights restored is to restore them themselves by declaring independence And controlling their own government

b. Explain the reason for and significance of the French alliance and foreign assistance and the roles of Benjamin Franklin and the Marquis de Lafayette.

French Alliance A turning point in the war Benjamin Franklin France decides to support America Benjamin Franklin Served as the American ambassador to France Convinced French to form a military alliance Agreed to wage war against Britain until America gained independence

French Alliance Britain now faced an American and a European war Britain would need to pull troops out of America French support for America was personified in the Marquis de Lafayette Commanded American troops Fought battles in many states Returned to France to help with planning on how to win the war

c. Analyze George Washington as a military leader; include the creation of a professional military and the life of a common soldier, and describe the significance of the crossing of the Delaware River and Valley Forge.

George Washington At the beginning of the American Revolution George Washington was named commander- in- Chief of the Continental Army He displayed extraordinary leadership abilities

George Washington Washington: Reorganized the army Secured additional equipment and supplies Started a training program To turn inexperienced recruits into a professional military

Continental Army For the common soldier, life was hard Enlistments lasted from one to three years The states differed in how well and how often they; Paid their soldiers Housed them when they were not on the march Supplied them with food, clothing, and equipment These issues undermined morale, as did: The army’s stern discipline The chances of being wounded or killed British victories.

The American Revolution

American Military Strengths and Weaknesses Familiarity of home ground Leadership of George Washington and other officers Inspiring cause of the independence Most soldiers untrained and undisciplined Shortage of food and ammunition Inferior navy No central government to enforce wartime policies

British Military Strengths and Weaknesses Strong, well-trained army and navy Strong central government with available funds Support of colonial Loyalists and Native Americans Large distance separating Britain from battlefields Troops unfamiliar with terrain Weak military leaders Sympathy of certain British politicians for the American cause

Lead-In to War (1763-1774) End of the Seven Years War Stamp Act AKA – The French and Indian War Caused Britain to tax the colonists Stamp Act 1st direct tax on the colonist Not received well British troops occupy Boston To enforce the Townshend Act To clamp down on radicals Boston Massacre (The incident on King Street)

Lead-In to War (1763-1774) Committees of Correspondence established Coordinate American response to British colonial policy Important move toward cooperation and a national identity Britain tries to intimidate Massachusetts Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) Closes the port of Boston Causes other colonies to show sympathy

Independence Declared (1775-1777) Lexington and Concord British command heard rumor of munitions stored in Concord Also heard John Hancock and Samuel Adams were in Lexington British troops marched to Lexington through Concord

Independence Declared Minutemen are waiting for the British Minutemen and civilian soldiers ‘The Shot Heard Around the World’ Militia is leaving a someone shoots British open fire and killing 8 and wounding 10 more Battle lasted only 15 minutes

Independence Declared Battle of Concord No munitions were found British march back to Boston 3-4,000 minutemen were waiting for the British Fall by the dozens Militia firing from behind stone walls, etc…

Independence Declared Britain forms an alliance with slaves Freedom to any slave who makes it to British lines Tens of thousands support British Some will fight on the patriots side

Independence Declared Battle of Bunker Hill (Breeds Hill) This is the first major action of the war Colonial soldiers hold off the British of more than two hours at Breeds Hill Colonial men are forced to abandon both hills Bunker Hill over looks Boston Of the 2,200 Red-Coats, 1,000 die or are wounded

Independence Declared Declaration of Independence Adopted by the Second Continental Congress King George III isn’t willing to let his subjects go without a fight Americans’ primary allegiance is to their states Nationalism will grow slowly

Independence Declared On Christmas night 1776, Washington led his troops across the Delaware River To stage a surprise attack on a fort Battle at Trenton This victory proved Washington’s army could fight as well as an experienced European army This would prove to be a victory that was a turning point for America

War in the North (1777-1778) Saratoga The British wanted to separate New England from the southern colonies Militiamen attacked him on and off all the way to New York By the time they got there, they were battered American troops surrounded the British at Saratoga and the British surrendered The British would no longer attack inland Away from the big guns of their navy

War in the North The British occupy Philadelphia Washington and his troops spent the winter of 1777–1778 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania They spend six months there and deal with problems: Wages, housing, food, clothing and equipment were at their worst Disease spread throughout the camp, increasing the suffering of the 12,000 men

War in the North Valley Forge As conditions worsened, almost 4,000 soldiers were too weak or ill to fight Washington ordered an intense training program Like a modern boot camp It turned the Continental Army into a capable and self-assured infantry

War in the North Turning Point in the War The victory at Saratoga helped the French trust the American military They join forced with the Americans France would not make peace with Britain until they agreed to recognize American independence

Southern Campaign (1779-1781) The war has become a stalemate in both New York and Pennsylvania In the South, the British get a large victory in Charleston, S.C. This is one of the worst defeats of the war This is part of a British strategy to hang onto the southern colonies

Southern Campaign Battle at the Cowpens Continental soldiers and patriot militia defeat British forces at Cowpens This victory helps convince people that the British southern strategy can be countered

Southern Campaign American strategy becomes to fight the British on ground of their choosing With-out winning a single clear-but victory, General Greene wears down the British Army He uses hit-and-run tactics

d. Explain the role of geography at the Battle of Yorktown, the role of Lord Cornwallis, and the Treaty of Paris, 1783.

Southern Campaign Battle of Yorktown Fought by a joint force of French and American soldiers The British are trapped on Virginia’s Yorktown peninsula They are unable to evacuate or receive reinforcements

Southern Campaign The French Navy had driven off the British fleet This causes General Cornwallis is forced to surrender New York and Charleston remain in the hands of the British until a peace treaty is signed Takes two years The war for American independence is over

Lord Cornwallis The British planned to counter the French-American alliance General Charles Cornwallis was to move the war to the southern states To try to separate those colonies from revolutionary forces in the North He had some immediate success Americans prevented a complete victory in the South Cornwallis then pursues them into Virginia

Marquis de Lafayette British troops were attacked by Lafayette The combined French and American armies And a French fleet  

Aftermath (1782-1787) Loyalists start to leave the colonies Many are now in Canada (families) Native Americans are pushed farther west

Aftermath Treaty of Paris (1773) Ended the American Revolutionary War The United States won its independence from Great Britain and gained control of land stretching to the Mississippi River Britain ceded Florida to Spain and certain African and Caribbean colonies to France