1. Unit #1: Birth of a Nation American Revolutionary War

2. The War Begins Loyalist: those who opposed independence & remained loyal to British king Usually judges & governors Patriots: those who supported independence from Britain

3. Major Early Battlefields Saratoga, NY: British troops surrendered in Oct. 1777 Major turning point and morale booster for Patriots Valley Forge, PA: while Continental Army was low on supplies they stayed alive & held British forces Patriots were inspired by their new alliance with France

4. Life During the Revolution Continental Congress struggled to pay its soldiers Civilian men were off to fight leaving wives to tend to farms, businesses, & families Women worked on battlefields tending to wounded African-Americans fought for their personal freedom Native Americans sided with British  saw less infringement of their culture

5. Winning the War Continental Army got help from France in 1778 Marquis de Lafayette, French military official British moved South under Gen. Cornwallis Captured Charles Town, SC & moved towards Virginia British surrendered at Yorktown, VA in Oct. 1781 Treaty of Paris signed Sept. 1783 Set U.S. independence & set boundaries (Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi River)

6. Symbol of Liberty Changes took place that spun on idea of egalitarianism  equality for all people Women still had few independent rights Some divorce & property rights in few states African-Americans faced poverty & discrimination In the south, they were still enslaved until Civil War Native Americans moved west A new nation was born…

7. Separation of Powers

8. Checks and Balances

9. How Democratic? A Republic or Democracy? A. Republic: A government in which the highest power belongs to the citizens who choose representatives to act for them B. Democracy: Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people

10. Confederation to Constitution 1776-1791 1789 Government created by the new Constitution takes power. 1786 Annapolis Convention is held. 1786–1787 Shays’s Rebellion occurs. 1787 Constitutional Convention is held in Philadelphia. 1788 U.S. Constitution is ratified. 1777 Continental Congress passes the Articles of Confederation. 1777–1781 States debate ratification of the Articles of Confederation. 1781 Articles of Confederation go into effect. 1791 Bill of Rights is added to the Constitution.

11. Problems and Solutions 1776-1791 PROBLEMSSOLUTIONS Western lands States give up Western claims. Congress passes laws to organize the territories. Postwar depression Annapolis Convention is called to discuss problems of commerce. Representation in the new government Philadelphia convention is held. Delegates agree to Great Compromise to settle issue of representation. Slavery Three-Fifths Compromise addresses issue of slavery and representation. Congress delays discussion of banning the slave trade. Problems and Solutions 1776-1791