The American Revolution US History Mrs. McClary Standard 4

First Battles of the American Revolution British soldiers were going to destroy a stockpile of Patriot weapons in Massachusetts. British soldiers and Massachusetts militia known as minutemen fought. British were embarrassed by how many soldiers were killed by the minutemen. Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first battles of the American Revolution. British underestimated the toughness of the colonial militia.

Second Continental Congress Leaders from all 13 colonies met in Philadelphia to discuss the problems with the British. Debate between Loyalists and Patriots. After months of debate and trying to compromise with the British, the delegates decide to pursue independence. Declaration of Independence was issued on July 4, 1776 and cut all ties with Great Britain. Written by Thomas Jefferson and influenced by John Locke.

Thomas Jefferson

Declaration of Independence Declaration gave the reasons for independence and listed all of the grievances against the British and the King. Jefferson was a fan of John Locke. John Locke believed: Government was a social contract between the people and the government Life, liberty, and property were basic human rights People could overthrow the government if it didn’t work for them

John Locke

Crossing the Delaware George Washington was selected as the leader of the Continental Army. Continental Army was poor, had few supplies, untrained, and small. Lost many of the first battles. December 25, 1776 Washington launched a surprise attack by crossing the icy Delaware River in the middle of the night. His troops attacked and captured 900 soldiers in New Jersey without a single death.

Crossing the Delaware

Battle of Saratoga In 1777 the Continental Army defeated the British at the Battle of Saratoga in New York. This convinced the French to help the Americans defeat the British. The French will send troops, supplies, money and their navy to help the Americans. The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point for Continental Army. Washington’s troops will then endure a brutal winter at Valley Forge while waiting on French supplies.

French Alliance Benjamin Franklin served as the ambassador to France. He secured the French alliance which supplied military and financial aid. Marquis de Lafayette was a French soldier that volunteered to serve in the Continental Army. Lafayette worked closely with Washington and provided valuable military knowledge.

Franklin and Lafayette

Last Battle of the American Revolution 1781 the Continental Army defeated the British army at Yorktown, Virginia. Battle of Yorktown was won with help from the French. Washington pinned Lord Cornwallis’ army against the coast and the French navy attacked from the water. The British were surrounded and were forced to surrender. This is the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Geography played a huge role in this battle.

Treaty of Paris 1783 The war came to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The Treaty of Paris did the following: Great Britain agreed to recognize American independence US got fishing rights off the coast of Canada Mississippi River would become the Western boundary of the US Ended the Revolutionary War peacefully

Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation first government of the US. Created during the Revolutionary War in 1781. Federal government was very weak. States had most of the power and were struggling with getting along.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Congress could not create or collect taxes. Congress could not regulate interstate or foreign trade. Each state had only one vote in Congress, no matter the population. Every single state had to approve an amendment or change to the Articles. No executive branch. No national court system. 13 separate states that lacked unity.

Shays’ Rebellion Daniel Shays was a farmer and a Revolutionary War veteran. He had massive debts and felt like he was the victim of too much taxation. Led a group of 1,200 farmers to close the local courts so that they wouldn’t lose their farms to creditors. The state militia had to be called out and 4 were killed. It highlighted the need for a stronger national government. States weren’t able to govern themselves effectively.

Constitutional Convention James Madison and Alexander Hamilton were the leading Framers at the convention. They decided the following: US would be a republic or governed by the people The power of the government would be limited (Montesquieu) Government would be divided into 3 branches Checks and balances would keep each branch from becoming too powerful

Compromises in the Constitution Great Compromise created a bicameral legislature. The House of Representatives is based on population and the Senate is equal. Three-Fifths Compromise counted slaves as 3/5 of the population. Bill of Rights was added after the Anti-Federalists feared the government was becoming too powerful.

Problems with new nation President Washington proclaimed neutrality in foreign affairs. He did not believe the US was strong enough to get involved in wars. Whiskey Rebellion highlighted the strengths of the Constitution. The federal government stopped the rebellion quickly with no violence. First political parties begin to emerge. John Adams will be elected as the 2nd president.