The American Revolution and Confederation 1774-1787 Period 3: 1754-1800 | Amsco Chapter 5 Overview

The First Continental Congress 1774: delegates from all states (minus Georgia) sent to Philly Meant to respond to what they saw as threats to their liberty Most colonists had no desire for independence Wanted to restore relationship with the crown Delegates ranged from conservative to radical (liberal) Radical: Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Adams Moderate: George Washington, John Dickinson Conservative: John Jay, Joseph Galloway Loyalists were not represented The First Continental Congress

Actions of the Congress A vote to form a union in the Empire failed by one vote, instead Immediate repeal of Intolerable Acts Declaration of Rights and Grievances to restore colonial rights Called for an increase in boycotting Declared they would meet again in 1775 if demands not met King George III dismissed the petition Declared Mass to be in a state of rebellion Sent troops to restore order Actions of the Congress

April 18, 1775: British force sent to Concord to seize weapons Paul Revere’s ride: minutemen assemble in Lexington First shot? Minutemen retreat British arrive and destroy supplies; return to Boston Hundreds of militiamen ambush return journey: 250 British casualties June 17, 1775: Breed’s Hill outside Boston fortified by militia A British force was sent to disperse it Success, but with heavy cost Fighting Begins

The Second Continental Congress Met in May, 1775: the congress was divided New England delegates wanted independence Middle Colonies wanted to negotiate Military plan initiated Washington made general and sent to Mass. to assemble forces Benedict Arnold sent to Canada to draw them away from Britain The navy and marine corps established Contradictory statement issued: Olive Branch Petition King George III dismissed, declaring an open revolt The Second Continental Congress

Declaration of Independence Thomas Paine’s argues for independence: 1776 Common Sense By June, the Congress moved towards independence Thomas Jefferson’s work, the Declaration of I., adopted July 4th Circa 40% of colonists would support the war; 20-30% would be loyalists The mobilization of the colonies Patriots: fought with local militia Of several hundred thousand soldiers, Washington could only field 20k Africans refused service until British offered them freedom Congress offered same offer: some 5,000 would serve Loyalists: “Tories” from the Parliamentary party Circa 60k would fight with the British: 80k would leave the USA Native Americans: supported British due to colonial expansion Declaration of Independence

Day 2 The American Revolution and Confederation 1774-1787

The Revolutionary War The first 3 years went very badly Washington had poorly trained/equipped soldiers: desertion common Nearly destroyed: Battle of New York 1776; Philly 1777 British occupation of American ports: 95% decline in trade Inflation ruined the American economy Alliance with France: 1777 following victory at Saratoga Louis XVI cared little for the revolution but hated Britain Aid began as early as 1775: money, weapons, supplies 1778: formal alliance; 1779 Spain and Holland entered war against Britain Decisive in the revolution, as the war widened and diverted Britain's war effort The Revolutionary War

Victory 1778-1779 Americans campaigned west, occupied Ohio Territory 1780: British shift focus to south (heavy loyalist) Heavy French land and naval support led to Yorktown 1781 French and American forces surround Cornwallis: surrender Treaty of Paris 1783: GB only negotiated with European powers 1) GB must recognize USA 2) Mississippi would be western boundary 3) USA got fishing rights in Canada 4) USA would pay debts owed to British merchants Victory 1778-1779

Organizing New Governments 1777: 10 of the colonies had written similar constitutions Common elements: rights, separation of powers, voting, offices Articles of Confederation: ratified 1781 A central government; unicameral legislature: each state 1 vote 9/13 votes needed; amendments had to be unanimous Congress could wage war, make treaties, send diplomats, borrow $ Could NOT regulate commerce or collect taxes No power to enforce its laws Successes were limited outside of winning the war Land Ordinance 1785: surveyed and sold land for settlement Northwest Ordinance 1787: order for establishing new states Organizing New Governments

Issues in the New Country The Articles of Confederation was too weak for three reasons Financial: debts were unpaid, each state had worthless currency, and no ability to raise money Foreign: European nations did not respect a bankrupt country; Spain and Britain began to take advantage of the region Domestic: 1786 Daniel Shays (veteran) led a revolt against high state taxes in Mass., which was eventually put down Social change in American society Separation of Church and State became popular Women’s rights: women greatly aided the war; remained 2nd class Slavery contradicted the revolution “all men are created equal” Issues in the New Country