the american revolution. when the declaration of independence had been written in 1776, several...

The American Revolution

When the Declaration of Independence had been written in 1776, several battles had already been fought; among these:

•Lexington & Concord, 1775

•Bunker Hill, 1775

•Ticonderoga, 1775

•Quebec, 1775

John Adams claimed that 1/3 of colonists were Patriots, 1/3 were Loyalists and 1/3 were neutral.

Loyalists ("Tories") = about 1/3 of Americans

Colonists who fought for return to colonial rule; loyal to the king.Usually conservative: educated and wealthy; fearful of “mob rule.” Included the older generation; younger generation was more revolutionaryIncluded king's officers and other beneficiaries of the crown               

. Patriots: Sometimes called "Whigs" (named after British opposition party)

American rebels who fought both British soldiers and loyalistsMost numerous in New England

Constituted a minority movement            

About 80,000 Loyalists fled the colonies.

Loyalists regarded by Patriots as traitors.Loyalist estates were confiscated and sold; these funds helped finance the war50,000 fought for the British

Battle of Trenton (Dec. 1776)Washington crossed the ice-clogged Delaware River on Dec. 26, 1776At Trenton, surprised and captured about 1,000 Hessians who were sleeping off  their Christmas partying.

Battle of Saratoga (most important battle of the American Revolution).  Benedict Arnold saved New England by slowing down British invasion of New YorkGeneral Burgoyne surrendered entire command at Saratoga on Oct. 17, 1777 to American General Horatio Gates.After Saratoga, French decide to enter war on the side of the Americans

France Becomes an Ally of the U.S.French eager to exact revenge on the British for the French & Indian War.               France initially worried that open aid to America might provoke British attacks on French interests.

Washington retired to Valley Forge for winter of 1777-78        Supplies were scarce: food, clothing        Army whipped into shape by the Prussian drillmaster Baron von Steuben.        Episode demonstrated American resolve despite horrible conditions.

“These are the times that try men’s souls . . . “ Thomas Paine

Articles of Confederation adopted in 1777 (Drafted by John Dickinson)    A. Set up by 2nd Continental Congress in order to create a lasting government.    B. Did not go into effect until 1781.    C. First constitution in U.S. history; lasted until 1789 when Constitution adopted    D. Congress had power to: conduct war, handle foreign relations & secure loans, borrow money.    E. No power to: regulate trade, conscript troops, levy taxes.

1778, Britain again changed its strategy: focused on former Southern ColoniesBattle of Yorktown: last major battle of the war      French Navy blockaded Chesapeake Bay; British ships unable to enter.      Washington made 300-mile+ march to Chesapeake Bay from NY.      Washington attacked British by land while de Grasse blockaded them by sea.     Oct. 19, 1781, General Cornwallis surrendered entire force of 7,000 men      War continued one more year (especially in the South)

Treaty of Paris of 1783:  Britain formally recognized US independence 1. Granted US huge boundaries stretching to the Mississippi in the west, the Great Lakes in the north, and to Spanish Florida in the south2. British promised troops would not take slaves from America.American concessions:1. Loyalists could not be further persecuted; confiscated land to be returned2. American states were bound to pay back debts to British creditors.                         

Britain lost colonies and other territories

France became bankrupt which helped spark the French Revolution.

 Over 250,000 American soldiers fought          -- 10% who fought died; largest % of any American war in historyState and national governments created.Most of the fighting was done by the poorest Americans Young city laborers, farm boys, indentured servants, and sometimes slaves.African Americans fought on both sides.               -- 5,000 in the Continental army and nearly 30,000 in the British army in return for promises of freedom. Native Americas also fought with the British since they hoped to keep land-hungry Americans out of their territories.