Chapter 6 The American Revolution

Who would win? – p. 225-226 British government strongest in world Americans British government strongest in world American government did not yet exist lots of money no money army strongest in the world American army made up of citizen-soldiers who were badly trained many officers few officers with any experience British navy ruled the seas no navy fighting 3000 miles away from home - had to ship men and supplies fighting at home - English might lose because couldn't get soldiers over quickly British army had trouble getting soldiers because many people had family members and friends in America. France helped by sending money and trained officers 

p. 229

Small victories for Americans 1776 – New York General Howe ordered to take New York British = 32,000 Washington = 16,000 Washington narrowly escapes. Small victories for Americans 1) Trenton – mercenaries 2) Princeton

Setbacks for British Bunker Hill casualties made British too cautious. p. 232 – Setbacks divided counsels overconfidence poor communications indecision

FIGHTING IN THE NORTH 9/11/1777 – Philadelphia 11/16/1777 – Saratoga

Foreign Entanglements p. 236 – French, Spanish, Dutch

Valley Forge--Washington & Lafayette. Winter 1777-78.

- lack of shoes and warm clothing Valley Forge • During the winter of 1777-1778, George Washington’s troops suffered severely. - hunger - lack of shoes and warm clothing frostbite and disease ( typhoid, dysentery, typhus and pneumonia)

The Treaty of Paris April 1783 - The British recognized the U.S. as an independent nation. - U.S. territory stretched from Canada to Florida and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River. - Britain returned Florida to Spain. - The U.S. promised to ask state legislatures to pay Loyalists for the property they lost in the war. (However, most states paid the Loyalists nothing.)

WHAT FEARS DROVE THE DECISIONS ABOUT THE DESIGN OF A NEW GOVERNMENT? A GOVERNMENT THAT MIGHT ALLOW ONE PERSON OR ONE GROUP TO GET TOO MUCH POWER!!!! 13 independent states unequal in size, wealth, population STATES WOULD NOT BE EQUALLY REPRESENTED

Define the Articles of Confederation. Powers of the Federal Government under the Articles Weakness of the Articles

Articles of Confederation Laws to govern the United States Limited power of national government Established one branch of government – legislative (Congress)

Powers of the Federal Government under the Articles Could declare war Borrow $$$$

Weakness of the Articles Could not tax – had to petition states for $$$ No judicial branch – state had own court systems No trade laws No national currency