The American The American Revolutionary WarRevolutionary War

By May of 1775 ... By May of 1775 ...

• A state of war exists between England and A state of war exists between England and her American Coloniesher American Colonies

• colonists loyalties are divided:colonists loyalties are divided:

• 1/3 are ready to break with England 1/3 are ready to break with England completelycompletely

• 1/3 despite misgivings, want to remain loyal 1/3 despite misgivings, want to remain loyal

• 1/3 are not sure what to do1/3 are not sure what to do

• Boston is under siegeBoston is under siege

• the Mecklenburg Declaration declares the Provincial Congress as the only lawful government in NC

• The 2nd Congress convenes in Philadelphia, PA• functions as de facto government of the colonies

• mints Continental currency and borrows to fund the war

• names militia in and around Boston as the Continental Army and names George Washington Commanding General

• sends delegates to France and other European nations to enlist help

• debates independence - not easy to decide to commit treason

• ““Gentlemen, we must hang Gentlemen, we must hang together, or we will most together, or we will most assuredly hang assuredly hang separately.” --Benjamin separately.” --Benjamin FranklinFranklin

• ““I know not what course I know not what course others may take, but as for others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me, give me liberty, or give me death!” -- Patrick me death!” -- Patrick HenryHenry

Patriot VoicesPatriot Voices

Battles for BostonBattles for Boston

• City is blockaded by City is blockaded by the Royal Navythe Royal Navy

• conditions in the city conditions in the city are getting worseare getting worse

• British attack militia British attack militia positions for key positions for key high groundhigh ground

Bunker Hill [first real test]Bunker Hill [first real test]• British charge Patriot positions on Breed’s Hill

• running low on ammo, rebel commander tells his troops, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!”

• British regulars British regulars charge the hill 3X charge the hill 3X before taking it.before taking it.

• Patriots fall back to Patriots fall back to Bunker HillBunker Hill

• High ground still High ground still held by Patriotsheld by Patriots

• but they need more but they need more ammo and ammo and ARTILLERY ARTILLERY

• Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture Ft. Ticonderoga …

• and it’s cannon!

• Gen. Knox gets them 300 miles to Boston - over hills and mountains in the winter.

• With cannon in place, Boston becomes untenable - British evacuate the city

The War expands• Washington chased

out of New York and New Jersey

• Enlistments will be up by year’s end, and it’s nearly Christmas

• Thomas Paine’s Common Sense convinces many to stay

• what’s needed is a W

Washington’s GeniusWashington’s Genius• Christmas Eve -

Washington sets up the Hessians across the river

• crosses at night, bursts into town unexpected

• troops a bit groggy from celebrating night before

• quickly routed, Gen. Rahl is mortally wounded and surrenders

• more magic at Princeton a few days later

• fire and maneuver

• army decides to stay

Meanwhile, back in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, back in Philadelphia. . .. .

• The 2nd Continental Congress tries to manage both a war and a de facto country.

• Pattern of borrowing money and printing more leads to dangerous inflation and devaluation.

• Supplies and logistics a continual problem• In France, Benjamin Franklin’s attempts to

enlist French help are without result• And still not all the delegates are in favor of

independence, but time for reconciliation is fast running out…

• One last attempt – the Olive Branch Petition• In NC, April 12 1776, the Halifax Resolves call

for complete independence from Britain [first in Freedom]

The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence• Still intense debate over the final stepStill intense debate over the final step• Thomas Jefferson appointed to write Thomas Jefferson appointed to write

the Declarationthe Declaration• borrows heavily from Enlightenment borrows heavily from Enlightenment

thinkers, esp. John Locke’s ideas of thinkers, esp. John Locke’s ideas of Social Contract and Natural RightsSocial Contract and Natural Rights

• Part One: Declaration of Natural Part One: Declaration of Natural Rights [political ideas] Note key Rights [political ideas] Note key phrases phrases

• Part Two: list of grievances [why isn’t Part Two: list of grievances [why isn’t Parliament mentioned?]Parliament mentioned?]

• Part Three: Statement of Part Three: Statement of independence pledge and signatures independence pledge and signatures of delegatesof delegates

• Proclaimed July 4, 1776 [the point is Proclaimed July 4, 1776 [the point is moot, if. . .]moot, if. . .]

• Heritage of other revolutionsHeritage of other revolutions

• John Hancock – President of the Congress – signs first, and signs large [“put your John Hancock here”]

• Dilemma for the Loyalists [“Tories”]• There is now no going back• King George III’s diary entry for July 4, 1776 . . .

• “Nothing of importance happened today.”

Turning point in upstate New York: Battles of Saratoga

• Howe’s strategy to end the war• Howe captures Philadelphia;

Philadelphia captures Howe• Burgoyne’s slow advance down

the Hudson• Met at Saratoga by Gates and

Arnold• Defeat means:

– New England not cut off– Aid from France

British take the war SouthBritish take the war South• Hoping for help from Loyalists in Savannah Hoping for help from Loyalists in Savannah

and Charleston - 1780and Charleston - 1780

• Difficulties moving inlandDifficulties moving inland

• Defeats at Cowpens and Kings Mt.Defeats at Cowpens and Kings Mt.

• Greene and Morgan chase Cornwallis out of Greene and Morgan chase Cornwallis out of the Carolinasthe Carolinas

• Cornwallis at YorktownCornwallis at Yorktown

• BesiegedBesieged

• French Fleet to the rescueFrench Fleet to the rescue

• Surrender – Oct. 1781Surrender – Oct. 1781

Battle of Yorktown

End GameEnd Game• “It’s over!” – Lord North in Parliament• 2 years of negotiation finally result in the

Peace of Paris, 1783.• England recognizes U.S. independence• Franklin, Adams and Jay avoid French

control• Now what?• Many dead, families and businesses ruined• Worthless currency• Massive debt• 2nd Continental Congress drafts the

nation’s first true government – The Articles of Confederation