The American Revolution: 1775-1783
On the Eve of the Revolution Britain Americans Adv. Strong, well trained army & navy Superior line officers Loyalist & Indian Allies Home turf Superior weapons & marksmen Inspired Cause Disadv. 3,000 miles Unfamiliar battlefronts Weak military leaders in command Untrained, undisciplined troops No navy Shortage of ammunition No Government Vulnerable Civilian Population
Loyalist Strongholds Royal Officials Anglican Clergy Wealthy with economic ties to England
Washington’s Headaches Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral]. State/colony loyalties. Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben.
Military Strategies The Americans The British Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. Guerilla tactics [fight an insurgent war you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down] Make an alliance with France. Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So. Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. “Divide and Conquer” use the Loyalists.
Exports & Imports: 1768-1783
Phase I: The Northern Campaign [1775-1776]
The British suffered over 40% casualties. Bunker Hill (June, 1775) The British suffered over 40% casualties.
Phase II: NY & PA [1777-1778]
New York City in Flames (1776)
Washington Crossing the Delaware Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851
A modern-day re-enactment Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War? A modern-day re-enactment
Phase III: The Southern Strategy [1780-1781]
Britain’s “Southern Strategy” Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South. Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving. The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside [similar to U. S. failures in Vietnam!] Good US General: Nathanial Greene
The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Count de Rochambeau Admiral De Grasse
Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown: “The World Turned Upside Down!” Painted by John Trumbull, 1797
Why did the British Lose? Weak British leadership George Washington American People: 1/3 zealous patriots who accepted worthless continental bills to supply the army French Alliance
Wholesale Price Index: 1770-1789
North America After the Treaty of Paris, 1783
Impact of the American Revolution
State Constitutions Republicanism. Most had strong governors with veto power. Most had bicameral legislatures. Property required for voting. Some had universal white male suffrage. Most had bills of rights. Many had a continuation of state-established religions while others disestablished religion.
Pennsylvania Abolished property qualifications for voting No governor Free elementary education No imprisonment for debt
Occupational Composition of Several State Assemblies in the 1780s
Indian Land Cessions: 1768-1799
British Indian Allies Abandoned Battle of Vincennes: George Rogers Clark defeated Shawnee, Cherokee & Delawares>American claim to Ohio Valley Iroquois leader Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea) led 4 of 6 tribes to join British (other 2 joined colonists) All Iroquois lost New York land moved to Canada No Native American element to treaty
Women & the Revolution Saltpeter & homespun Molly Pitchers Judith Sargent Murray “On Equality of the Sexes” 1779 Abigail Adams & companionate marriage Sought Property rights for single and widowed women New Jersey suffrage for “all property holders” until 1807 when “white men only” provision added. Republican Motherhood
Revolution & Slavery Lord Dunmore’s Ethiopian Regiment in Virginia 300,000 slaves joined British Free Black loyalists relocated to Canada & Sierra Leone 1782 Virginia manumission act freed 10,000 slaves Quock Walker sued for his freedom in Massachusetts & won, 1784 Gradual emancipation of slaves in North