Colonial America: The Revolutionary Era U.S. History

The Boston Massacre March 5, 1770 Argument between soldiers and civilians became bloody Five colonists killed, six wounded Soldiers put on trial, but 6 of 8 were acquitted

Site and Mass Grave Today State Street in Boston, at the rear of the Customs House; Gravestone in Old Granary Burial Ground in Boston

The Boston Tea Party December 16, 1773 Resulted from Tea Act protests “Sons of Liberty” members, some dressed as Indians, destroyed tea belonging to East India Company Patriot leader Samuel Adams defended action as a rightful protest, not a crime

Old South Meeting House Today Where the “Tea Party” was started… nearly 5,000 people attended meeting

British Response to the “Tea Party” British Parliament passed “Coercive Acts” in called the “Intolerable Acts” by colonists Closed port of Boston, took direct control of Massachusetts government, allowed British officials to be tried in Great Britain, allowed for quartering of soldiers in colonies Increased hatred of British rule throughout colonies Led to formation of First Continental Congress that met in Philadelphia in September 1774 – first organization of colonies

The Revolution Begins… April 19, 1775 – 800 British troops left Boston, searching for weapons and rebel leaders in nearby Lexington and Concord Patriotic riders warned towns of British approach so supplies could be moved (Paul Revere) Local militia units gathered to put up a stand against “redcoats” – known as the “Minutemen”

“The Shot Heard ‘Round the World” Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first fight of the Revolution 247 dead Redcoats and 93 Patriot casualties. The British retreated back to Boston Second Continental Congress called in May – decided to raise a colonial army and chose George Washington to lead it

Divided Loyalties Colonists were divided over Revolution – many colonists still loyal to Britain – Why? More support in New England and Middle Colonies than in South – Virginia was the exception – Why? Americans Indians and free & enslaved African- Americans fought for both sides – Why?

Independence or Compromise? Olive Branch Petition (July 1775) – letter from Continental Congress to King George III, hoping to avoid war and begin negotiations on taxes – rejected by King Thomas Paine – wrote Common Sense (1776), a short, but influential book urging American independence

The Colonies and Britain Compared Advantages of the Colonies We had a cause! We were on the defensive! We were rugged outdoorsmen! Guerilla Warfare! George Washington’s leadership! France: The deciding factor! Advantages of the British Arguably the best-trained & equipped Army in the world! The most powerful Navy in the world! Greater population! More $$$ and resources! Experience: Britain had been busting heads around Europe for a long, long time!

The Colonies and Britain Compared Disadvantages of the Colonies No real government! (i.e. Continental Congress) No real money! (i.e. Continental Currency was unstable and mistrusted) Militias were poorly fed, trained, & equipped! No Navy! Desertions were common! Only 1/3 of Colonists actually favored the cause! Disadvantages of the British Poor Leadership: Prime Minister Lord North was weak and indecisive. Many in Parliament (the Whigs) didn’t support the war! Distance! The colonies had no real center. France has Paris; Britain has London. The soldiers really didn’t want to be here!

Declaring Independence Summer 1776 – Patriot leaders met in Philadelphia July 4, 1776 – Declaration of Independence announced

Fighting the War Fall 1776 – British took NYC & Washington retreated to NJ In spite of victories at Trenton & Princeton, in late 1776, the army was tired and camped at Valley Forge, PA for winter The British occupied Philadelphia in the fall of 1777 Success of Revolution looked bleak

Turning Point – Battle of Saratoga October 1777 – American Army defeated a large British force in New York – captured 6,000 Redcoats and 5 British generals This victory convinced France to join the colonists The French Navy, Army, money, and equipment proved to be the difference and helped us win the war

Victory at Last October 1781 – Washington and French General Lafayette trapped General Cornwallis & 8000 British and Hessian soldiers at Yorktown, VA The British surrendered – the last major fight of the Revolution

Treaty of Paris (1783) New United States gained all land from Appalachian Mountains to Mississippi River British kept control of Canada, but had to give Florida back to Spain United States became a new independent nation