Mr. ByrdSLHS AP US History

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier

and the sunshine patriot will, in this

crisis, shrink from the service of their

country; but he that stands it now,

deserves the love and thanks of man and

woman”--Thomas Paine

Second Continental Congress

Called in 1775

All 13 colonies now present

Not interested in independence yet– Want grievances heard by

England– Begins preparing to raise money

for an army and navy

Most Significant Acts of Congress?

1. Decided to go to war2. Elected George Washington

to head Continental Army

George Washington

Chosen to be the leader of the Continental Army

Ticonderoga and Crown Point

Early battle of the American Rev.

Led by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont– Benedict Arnold

Bunker (Breeds) Hill

Viewed as an American victory

Bloodiest battle of the War for Independence

King proclaimed the colonies in rebellion

Hires 18,000 Hessians

Olive Branch Petition

Attempt to reconcile with King George III of England

Most Americans did

not desire independence,

proud to be British

citizens!!!

Hessians

German mercenaries hired by England for fighting in the colonies

– Upset colonials b/c they thought it was a family fight

– Proved to colonists that King George III wanted to destroy them

American forces early in the war make an effort

to take Canada. They lose!

Early fighting not going well!!!

Thomas Paine

Writes booklet “Common Sense”

– Best seller; propaganda– Persuaded Congress to go all the

way for independence

Richard Henry Lee

June 7th, 1776 proposed independence

“That these united colonies are, and ought to be FREE and INDEPENDENT STATES”

Motion was adopted July 2nd, 1776

Congress appointed a

committee to draft letter.

Task of writing letter given to

Thomas Jefferson

Declaration of Independence

Formally approved on July 4th, 1776

The “Shout Heard Around the World”

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence

“When in the course of human events it

becomes necessary…We hold these truths to be

self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among

these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit

of happiness” ---Thomas Jefferson

Three Major Parts of Declaration

1. Preamble (heavily influenced by John Locke

2. List of 27 grievances3. Formal declaration of

independence

With formal declaration, foreign aid could now be successfully obtained!!!

“We better hang

together or we will all

hang separately”

--Ben Franklin

Patriots

Want to separate from England

Younger, less educated, poor, Congregational, more in the North

About 1/3rd of the colonial population

Loyalists

Want return to colonial rule; support the King

Older, better educated, wealthy, Anglican, more in the South

About 20 percent of the population

About 80,000 fled the colonies

“Give me liberty or give me death”

--Patrick Henry

Battle of Trenton

Washington crosses icy Delaware River on Dec. 26th, 1776

Surprises sleeping Hessian army

Washington given nickname “Old Fox”

General “Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne

Leader of the main British force. Had over 7,000 troops

Valley Forge

Washington and his army faced harsh winter in 77-78

Army whipped into shape by Prussian drillmaster Baron von Steuben

Saratoga

The turning point of the American Revolution

Gen. Burgoyne surrendered entire army to Gen. Horatio Gates

Caused French, Dutch, and Spanish to join us

Benedict Arnold

1780, becomes a traitor

Tremendous blow to American morale

“Bring me my old uniform, I wish I had never traded it for another” ---Benedict Arnold (on deathbed)

French eager to become an ally of

US. Want revenge for F&I

War. Saw war as an opportunity to

tear England’s colonies away!!!

Marquis de Lafayette

French military leader

Significant in helping US get financial support from France

The American Revolution

turned into a world war that

stretched Britain’s

resources.

General Nathaniel Greene

Much of the Revolutionary War occurred out West

American Indian allies of British attacked frontier positions

Greene leader of colonial army in the South/west

Known as the “Fighting Quaker

Joseph Brant

Mohawk Chief

Led American Indian raids into western Pennsylvania and NY

George Rogers Clark

Frontiersmen who seized several British forts along the Ohio River

Helped quiet Indian involvement

John Paul Jones

Most famous US naval leader

Chief contribution was destroying British merchant shipping

“Father of the American Navy”

“I have not yet begun to fight”

Southern Strategy

British attention turned to the South where Loyalists resided

Yorktown

Last major battle of the War

General Cornwallis surrendered entire force of 7,000 men

British will soon be ready to come to terms

Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay

Three representatives sent by colonies to represent American interest with France

Turned on France and made deals with England separately

Treaty of Paris1783

1. US got its independence2. Doubled our land size3. Got to continue to fish and get

cod in Newfoundland fisheries4. Loyalists had to quit being

persecuted and it was recommended we give their land back

5. States voted not to pass a law that cancelled debts to British

Articles of Confederation

(adopted in 1777)Did not go into effect until

1781

First constitution in US history—lasted until 1789

• Controlled cities but not countryside• Generals made key mistakes

• Communication• No respect

• US had the will to fight• Alliances with Spain, France and the

Netherlands.

George Washington Horatio Gates Ben Franklin Nathan Hale Thomas Jefferson

John Adams Marquis de Lafayette Baron von Steuben Count Casimir Pulaski John Paul Jones

US leaders

King George III General John Burgoyne General William Howe

General Charles Cornwallis

GB leaders

Benedict Arnold