1. The American Revolution

2. First Continental Congress (Sept. 1774)
Brought colonists together as Americans (9 colonies present)
It issued a Declaration of Rights protesting Great Britain’s actions.
All delegates agreed that Parliament was exerting too much control.
Agreed not to import or use British goods
Agreed to stop exports to Britain
Formed a force of minutemen, colonial soldiers who would be ready to resist a British attack with short notice

3. Second Continental Congress (May 1775)
Authorized raising of army, money to pay for it, and appointed George Washington as commander of the forces
Olive Branch Petition: written by the Continental Congress to King George III
Reaffirmed American loyalty to the crown
Hoped to reconcile with the king
King George III rejected it, and Britain responded by
Declared colonies in a state of rebellion
Dispatched thousands of troops
Closed all colonial ports

4. Strengths and Weaknesses
British Army
Continental Army
Strengths
Well-trained military
Ample resources
Alliances with Loyalists
Weaknesses
Fighting in unfamiliar territory
Fighting far from home
Strengths
Strong military leadership
Fighting on home territory
Alliance with France
Weaknesses
Small, untrained military
Shortages of resources
Weak central government

5. This means that 2/5 of the pop’n was NEUTRAL during the war!!!
Loyalists vs. Patriots
Loyalists/Tories
Patriots/Whigs
2/5 of U.S. pop’n
Mostly from the middle colonies/southern
Were seen as ‘traitors’
1/5 of U.S. pop’n
Mostly from VA and NE states (esp. Mass)
Made up of local militia members
Low supplies, low pay, poor equipment
This means that 2/5 of the pop’n was NEUTRAL during the war!!!

6. Additional Troops Split the Iroquois Confederacy
Native Americans
African Americans
Split the Iroquois Confederacy
Many sided with the British, who promised to stop American settlement westward
Originally not accepted by G.W.
When the British promised freedom to A.As as a recruitment tool, the Patriots allowed them

7. Major Leaders Continental Army: British Army:
George Washington: Commander of Americans Forces
Nathanael Greene: Top Strategist
Henry Knox: Artillery Expert
Benedict Arnold: Commander under Washington
British Army:
General Charles Cornwallis
General John Burgoyne
Benedict Arnold (after he turned traitor in 1781)
William Howe
All considered America one of the worst places to serve

8. Thomas Paine- Common Sense
Stated that America fighting for its freedom was a matter of ‘common sense’
Smaller Great Britain should not control all of America
Condemned monarchy and particularly the rule of George III
Called for an American declaration of independence, not just a protest against taxes
The pamphlet sold more than 100,000 copies. It was one of the first American bestsellers.

9. Declaration of Independence July 4th, 1776
Written by Thomas Jefferson
Document listed rights and grievances against King George III
Preamble
Declaration of rights (‘natural rights’)
List of Grievances (against the King)
Resolution
John Hancock first to sign in large print
Anyone who signed it and was caught would be hanged
“We must all now hang together, or most assuredly we will all hang separately." - Benjamin Franklin

10. Treaty of Paris (1783)
Britain recognized United States as an independent nation
Mississippi River-Western boundary of U.S., Great Lakes as the Northern boundary, Florida-Southern boundary
Americans would have fishing rights off the coast of Canada
Americans would pay debts owed to British merchants and honor Loyalist claims for property confiscation during the war
Allow British troops to leave/Loyalists to stay
U.S. would have access to Mississippi River– extending the western boundary to the River