Fundamental Concepts: Chapter 7: The American Revolution

The Outbreak of Revolution The British entered the war confident of a complete victory: Their army was 400% larger; well-trained solders, experienced officers, & Hessian mercenaries Strong manufacturing base The world’s most dominant navy Believed the 1776 battles were a “police action” & the show of military force would make the Patriots give up 21

In reality, England faced an impossible task: Their long supply lines across the Atlantic made it difficult for them to re-supply their troops The American terrain was large (spread out) To win, the English had to find & defeat the Continental Army Underestimated the Patriots’ willingness to fight for independence

The American Revolution, 1775-1781 Where was the American Revolution fought?

Building a Professional Army Washington’s task was to defend as much territory as possible: Relied on guerrilla tactics & avoided all-out-war with Britain But, colonial militias played a major role in “forcing” neutrals to support the Revolution As long as England did not defeat the Continental Army, England could not win But Washington avoided “general actions” (all-out war) against Britain; understood importance of keeping Continental Army intact

Slaves & Indians in the War Black slaves supported whoever seemed likely to deliver freedom: Northern slaves supported the colonists who offered freedom for any slave who fought Southern slaves typically supported Britain Native Americans feared the colonists spreading to their territory & overwhelmingly supported Britain

Differing Military Strategies The Americans The British “Divide & Conquer” Use Loyalists Encourage slave revolts Seize (take) property Break the colonies in half by dividing the North & South Blockade the ports to prevent trade with American allies Win a war of attrition (wearing-down the enemy) England had long supply lines Colonials did not have to “win”; just had to wear down the British Guerilla tactics Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies (France)

The Early Years: 1776-1777 The initial battles of the Revolution went badly for Americans: British General Howe forced Washington to retreat at New York putting the Americans on the run Gen Howe issued a “general pardon” to all Americans who swore an oath of allegiance to George III; thousands did so Colonial militias retaliated against those who deserted the patriot cause 22

The Early Years: 1776-1777 The British strategy remained to fight a “major & decisive” battle; but Continental Army was difficult to get in one spot Despite British victories & 1,000’s of colonial “oaths of allegiance”, Washington kept fighting Won small victories that renewed American wartime morale “Won” at Saratoga in 1777 Captured Philadelphia Howe captured New York Washington’s army almost starved at Valley Forge Took Princeton Took Trenton 24

British Seizure & Burning of New York, 1776 Crossing the Delaware in route to a surprise attack at Trenton & Princeton, 1776 The “Turning Point” of the Revolution: The Battle of Saratoga, 1777 Near Starvation at Valley Forge, PA in 1778

The French Alliance Since 1775, the French secretly aided Americans with supplies But after the “victory” at Saratoga: France recognized America as a new, independent republic France promised to pressure England to agree to American independence after war’s end France gave up all of its claims to territory in America The turning point of the war!! In 1778, England offered to remove all parliamentary legislation & vowed never to impose revenue taxes on the colonists again And…England now has to worry about a possible (yet remote) invasion of England by France The Continental Congress refused the offer 25

The Final Campaign By 1781, Washington pushed the Redcoats towards Yorktown (VA) where General Cornwallis was caught between the Continental Army & the French navy On October 19, 1781 Cornwallis surrendered; the English still controlled NY & Charles Town but the fighting virtually ended 26

The Loyalist Dilemma Loyalists believed in liberty too, but feared that independence would breed anarchy (chaos because of no government) in America Loyalists were treated poorly: The English never fully trusted the Loyalists Patriots seized their property; imprisoned & executed others More than 100,000 Loyalists left America when the war ended 27

The Treaty of Paris, 1783

The Treaty of Paris (1783) The Treaty of Paris in 1783 was negotiated with England by Franklin, John Adams, John Jay The terms included: Full American independence All territory east of Mississippi River, between Canada & FL The removal of the British army from U.S. claims in America Fishing rights in the Atlantic 28

North America before the Treaty of Paris, 1763

North America after the Treaty of Paris, 1783