Chapter 5- The American Revolution and Confederation 1774-1787

Beginning of the Conflict First Continental Congress Purpose: To respond to Britain’s “threats” to liberty Still no strong desire for Independence Who was there? Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, John Adams, George Washington, John Dickinson, John Jay, Joseph Galloway Who wasn’t there? Loyalists

Actions of Congress Joseph Galloway’s plan: rejected Measures adopted? Similar to Albany Plan of Union Measures adopted? Suffolk Resolves Declaration of Rights and Grievances Meet again in May 1775 if rights aren’t recognized Suffolk Resolves-immediate repeal of Intolerable Acts; boycott of goods Declaration- list of grievances, recognized Parliament’s authority to regulate commerce

Fighting Begins King George III responds- declares Mass in rebellion Sent more troops Lexington and Concord Minutemen Humiliation of British Bunker Hill Who wins? Moral victory

Second Continental Congress How did the violence around Boston in the spring of 1775 affect proceedings in the Second Continental Congress? Military Actions- G. Wash Peace efforts- Olive Branch Petition Contradictory? British response- Prohibitory Act

Why did many colonists still desire peace with Britain in 1775? Valued British heritage, protection; part of great empire

Moving Toward Independence Thomas Paine- Common Sense Declaration of Independence Richard Henry Lee Thomas Jefferson

Patriots and Loyalists Loyalists (Tories) 40% of population New England, Virginia Militia served locally so could return home African Americans- GW matched British offer for freedom 5,000 served 20-30% of population New York, New Jersey, Georgia Helped Br army Many left at end of war Wealthier, more conservative American Indians- Br promised them land

Strengths and Weaknesses of Britain Large population (7.5 million) Large military Well supplied, well trained Mercenaries- Hessians Loyalists in colonies Support on Natives Distractions in Europe (probs with Ireland) France hates them Government weak Some even cheered for colonists Poor military leadership No passion Distance- hard to get reinforcements, supplies, etc Unfamiliar with terrain

Strengths and Weaknesses of America Good leadership- both political and military Washington, Franklin, Adams Defensive War Fighting for a cause/passion Agriculturally self-sustaining No urban center/capital- too spread out for 1 victory to end it Smaller Population (2.5 million) No training/ organization Regional division and jealousy No weapons No money- overprinted $$ Didn’t want to tax to pay for war Inflation British blocked ports- no imports

The Revolutionary War Early losses for Americans The Continental Army Valley Forge Saratoga- TURNING POINT What were the most important results of the Patriot victory at Saratoga? **Benjamin Franklin and France- helped convince France to ally with US

Victory British tried southern strategy- close to loyalists Yorktown- last major battle Surrounded Br, forced surrender Treaty of Paris Provisions? 1- recognation of US as sovereign nation 2- Miss River was boundary 3- Fishing rights off coast of Canada 4- Americans would pay debts to Br merchants and honor Loyalists land claims from before war

***Despite being at a clear disadvantage at the start of the war, the American Patriots won. Why? Distance Support in Britain? Struggles

New Governments State Governments Commonalities Conservatives v liberals Commonalities List of Rights Separation of Powers Voting- why land-owning? Office-holding

Articles of Confederation In what ways did the Articles of Confederation function effectively? What were its greatest failings? Ratification Structure Powers Accomplishments Problems Shays’s Rebellion Ratification- 1781- land arguments Structure- unicameral, 1 vote each, 9/13 required to pass laws, unanimous for amendments Powers- ware, treaties, diplomats, borrow money- could NOT regulate commerce, collect taxes Accomplishments- Land Ordinance of 1785 ( policy for surveying and selling western land- set aside one piece of land in each township for public edu) and Northwest Ordinance1787 (set rules for creating new states- gave limited self government, prohibited slavery) Problems- financial, foreign power (no respect, no enforcement), Domestic- SHAYS REBELLION

Weakness of Articles Outcome Congress has no power to levy or collect taxes Congress has no power to regulate foreign trade Congress has no power to enforce laws Approval of 9/13 states to enact laws Unanimous approval for amendments No executive branch No national court system The government was always short on money Fighting between states/trading difficult The government depended on states for enforcing laws Too difficult to enact laws No way to change government No way to coordinate government work No ways to settle disputes between states

Issue Articles Constitution Taxes Can REQUEST states to pay taxes Can tax Federal Courts No court system Court system to deal with issues b/t states, or citizens Trade Couldn’t regulate interstate trade Regulates interstate trade Executive No executive- only a Pres of Congress Exec Branch w/ President; has cabinet; checks power of judiciary and legislature Amending Required unanimous approval 2/3 of both house of Congress; 3/4 of state approval Rep of States Each state gets 1 vote Senate- each state gets 2 votes, House of Rep- based on population Army Can’t draft troops; states contribute Can raise an army Disputes b/t States Complicated system Federal court system Sovereignty States have power Constitution the supreme law of the land Passing laws 9/13 needed to pass law 50% +1 (a majority) of both houses, plus signature of President

Social Change Aristocratic Titles- gone Separation of Church and State Women Molly McCauley, Deborah Sampson Colonial Economy Abigail Adams Slavery Contradiction to Declaration of Independence? Small steps?

What was the impact of the Revolution on slaves, women, and Native Americans?

Big Idea How revolutionary was the American Revolution? What political, social, and economic changes did it produce, and what stayed the same?