AMERICA SECEDES FROM THE EMPIRE Chapter 8

Second Continental Congress After Lexington and Concorde, Minutemen swarm around Boston. Second Continental Congress met in Philly a month later. All 13 colonies send representatives this time.

George Washington Select George Washington to head the army Most significant early act of Second Continental Congress Why not an obvious choice? Political reasons for choosing Washington?

Washington’s Strengths Outstanding leader of men. Strong character. Did not seek political power and believed in principles of democracy. Moral force of patience, discipline and fairness. Strong emotions. People trusted him Served without pay

Ticonderoga May 1775 Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold captured British forts of Ticonderoga and Crown point in upper New York. Gain precious powder and a number of cannons. Problem—cannons are hard to move.

Bunker Hill June 1775 Bunker Hill/Breeds Hill. Brits under Siege in Boston. Militia puts forces on Breeds Hill. Brits under Gage blundered by assaulting the hill directly. Brits beaten off twice and take heavy casualties, but capture the hill on third try. 1/8 of all Brit officers lost in the war are lost here. Americas take a moral victory Gives Americans false confidence.

Hessians June 1775, Sec. Cont. Congress adopts the Olive Branch Petition What does it say? How does Geo. III respond? Significance? Sept. 1775 Geo III hired thousands of German troops to help crush the rebellion. Reactions?

The Abortive Conquest Of Canada Oct. 1775, Americans start a two-pronged invasion of Quebec. Motive? Conflict with thesis of war. Almost works militarily, but falls short. Benedict Arnold

Invasion of Canada

Brits Leave Boston March 1776 Brits forced to evacuate Boston because of Henry Knox What does he do? Evacuation Day Knox: Chief of Artillery; First Sec. of War

Thomas Paine: Common Sense Despite the fighting, most colonists deny any intention of Independence. Reasons? Paine jolts people out of this view with his pamphlet “Common Sense” His basic arguments? Concept of civic virtue

Declaration of Independence June 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee moved for a declaration that Colonies were free and Independent. Adopted July 2, 1776. Cont. Congress commissions an explanation of basis for resolution: Declaration of Independence Basic Purpose? Written by Jefferson with help from Franklin and John Adams

Declaration of Independence Natural rights John Locke’s theory on the Rights of Man Part I: Purpose and basis of government is to protect fundamental rights of individuals Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness Part II: Bad Acts by King violating these rights. Part III: Why colonies have no choice and are justified in being independent Bottom Line:

Patriots And Loyalists Loyalists (Tories) Percentage of Pop.? Type of people? Where located? Occupations? 80,000 leave; 200,000 stay; 50,000 fight for Brits.

Middle War July 1776, Brits invade New York; Battle of Long Island Washington retreats down Manhattan and into New Jersey Christmas Night. Washington Crosses the Delaware River. Captures Trenton and Princeton.

What’s wrong with this Picture?

Valley Forge Valley Forge Terrible conditions: Cold and little food Washington defeated twice and goes into winter quarters at Valley Forge Valley Forge Terrible conditions: Cold and little food Baron von Steuben Baron von Steuben turns the Continental Army into a REAL army!

Saratoga Burgoyne defeated at Saratoga by Gates/Arnold Oct. 17, 1777. Surrenders his entire command. Most significant win for U.S. Why? Arnold is the reason for win, but Gates gets the credit Consequences?

Strange French Bedfellows French support US secretly and provide a great deal of powder and arms We need their money and their navy Impact of Saratoga Franklin is minister to France and very popular

Treaty with France 1778 France offered the Americans a treaty of Alliance. Treaty of permanent alliance Consequences for US? This treaty became a problem later.

Colonial War Becomes World War In 1778 the Revolutionary War becomes a World War. France in against England in 1778. Spain and Holland come in against England in 1779. Spanish and French Navy combined are bigger than GB GB now up to their eyeballs in war.

War in the South, 1780–1781

The Land Frontier And The Sea Frontier Most Indians sided with the Brits Iroquois Confederacy split 1784, the pro-British Iroquois forced to sign the treaty of Fort Stanwix George Rogers Clark

Yorktown And The Final Curtain Things bleak for US in 1780-81 But, Cornwallis, had withdrawn back to the Chesapeake Bay at Yorktown, Va. Washington and Rochambeau come down from the New York area and bottle up Cornwallis. The French Navy beat off the Brits at the mouth of the Chesapeake Cornwallis is cut off and surrenders NOT the end of the war, but decisive victory

Peace At Paris After Yorktown many in England, especially, Whigs, weary of war. George III wants to keep fighting Lord North’s ministry had collapsed and Whigs in control Franklin, J. Adams and John Jay sent to Paris as peace negotiators. Their instructions? Terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1783

North America After Revolution

US in 1787