1. The American Revolution and Confederation 1774-1787
Period 3: | Amsco Chapter 5 Overview

2. The First Continental Congress
1774: delegates from all states (minus Georgia) sent to Philly
Meant to respond to what they saw as threats to their liberty
Most colonists had no desire for independence
Wanted to restore relationship with the crown
Delegates ranged from conservative to radical (liberal)
Radical: Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Adams
Moderate: George Washington, John Dickinson
Conservative: John Jay, Joseph Galloway
Loyalists were not represented
The First Continental Congress

3. Actions of the Congress
A vote to form a union in the Empire failed by one vote, instead
Immediate repeal of Intolerable Acts
Declaration of Rights and Grievances to restore colonial rights
Called for an increase in boycotting
Declared they would meet again in 1775 if demands not met
King George III dismissed the petition
Declared Mass to be in a state of rebellion
Sent troops to restore order
Actions of the Congress

4. April 18, 1775: British force sent to Concord to seize weapons
Paul Revere’s ride: minutemen assemble in Lexington
First shot? Minutemen retreat
British arrive and destroy supplies; return to Boston
Hundreds of militiamen ambush return journey: 250 British casualties
June 17, 1775: Breed’s Hill outside Boston fortified by militia
A British force was sent to disperse it
Success, but with heavy cost
Fighting Begins

5. The Second Continental Congress
Met in May, 1775: the congress was divided
New England delegates wanted independence
Middle Colonies wanted to negotiate
Military plan initiated
Washington made general and sent to Mass. to assemble forces
Benedict Arnold sent to Canada to draw them away from Britain
The navy and marine corps established
Contradictory statement issued: Olive Branch Petition
King George III dismissed, declaring an open revolt
The Second Continental Congress

6. Declaration of Independence
Thomas Paine’s argues for independence: 1776 Common Sense
By June, the Congress moved towards independence
Thomas Jefferson’s work, the Declaration of I., adopted July 4th
Circa 40% of colonists would support the war; 20-30% would be loyalists
The mobilization of the colonies
Patriots: fought with local militia
Of several hundred thousand soldiers, Washington could only field 20k
Africans refused service until British offered them freedom
Congress offered same offer: some 5,000 would serve
Loyalists: “Tories” from the Parliamentary party
Circa 60k would fight with the British: 80k would leave the USA
Native Americans: supported British due to colonial expansion
Declaration of Independence

7. Day 2
The American Revolution and Confederation

8. The Revolutionary War The first 3 years went very badly
Washington had poorly trained/equipped soldiers: desertion common
Nearly destroyed: Battle of New York 1776; Philly 1777
British occupation of American ports: 95% decline in trade
Inflation ruined the American economy
Alliance with France: 1777 following victory at Saratoga
Louis XVI cared little for the revolution but hated Britain
Aid began as early as 1775: money, weapons, supplies
1778: formal alliance; 1779 Spain and Holland entered war against Britain
Decisive in the revolution, as the war widened and diverted Britain's war effort
The Revolutionary War

9. Victory 1778-1779 Americans campaigned west, occupied Ohio Territory
1780: British shift focus to south (heavy loyalist)
Heavy French land and naval support led to Yorktown 1781
French and American forces surround Cornwallis: surrender
Treaty of Paris 1783: GB only negotiated with European powers
1) GB must recognize USA
2) Mississippi would be western boundary
3) USA got fishing rights in Canada
4) USA would pay debts owed to British merchants
Victory

10. Organizing New Governments
1777: 10 of the colonies had written similar constitutions
Common elements: rights, separation of powers, voting, offices
Articles of Confederation: ratified 1781
A central government; unicameral legislature: each state 1 vote
9/13 votes needed; amendments had to be unanimous
Congress could wage war, make treaties, send diplomats, borrow $
Could NOT regulate commerce or collect taxes
No power to enforce its laws
Successes were limited outside of winning the war
Land Ordinance 1785: surveyed and sold land for settlement
Northwest Ordinance 1787: order for establishing new states
Organizing New Governments

11. Issues in the New Country
The Articles of Confederation was too weak for three reasons
Financial: debts were unpaid, each state had worthless currency, and no ability to raise money
Foreign: European nations did not respect a bankrupt country; Spain and Britain began to take advantage of the region
Domestic: 1786 Daniel Shays (veteran) led a revolt against high state taxes in Mass., which was eventually put down
Social change in American society
Separation of Church and State became popular
Women’s rights: women greatly aided the war; remained 2nd class
Slavery contradicted the revolution “all men are created equal”
Issues in the New Country