TheTheAmericanAmerican

Revolution:Revolution:1775-17831775-1783

The original "JOIN, or DIE" cartoon was created by Benjamin The original "JOIN, or DIE" cartoon was created by Benjamin Franklin and first published in the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754. It Franklin and first published in the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754. It is often sited as the first America political cartoon.is often sited as the first America political cartoon.

BritainBritain AmericansAmericans

AdvantagesAdvantages

•Well-trained, well Well-trained, well supplied army & navysupplied army & navy

•Greater resourcesGreater resources

•Strong central Strong central governmentgovernment

•Fighting on home Fighting on home groundground

•Good decisions by Good decisions by generalsgenerals

•Fighting for rights Fighting for rights and freedomsand freedoms

•French alliance: French alliance: loans, navy, troopsloans, navy, troops

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

•Fighting in unfamiliar Fighting in unfamiliar territory territory

•Far away from Britain & Far away from Britain & resourcesresources

•Troops indifferent; half Troops indifferent; half hearted support at homehearted support at home

•Untrained soldiers; Untrained soldiers; small armysmall army

•Food & ammunition Food & ammunition shortagesshortages

•Weak and divided Weak and divided central governmentcentral government

On the Eve of the On the Eve of the Revolution…Revolution…

Preparing for war!Preparing for war!

The 2nd Continental Congress created a military force

The Continental Army, Navy, Marine Corps

George Washington was appointed commander in chief

He expressed grave doubts taking command

Throughout the war, the army was poorly supplied, trained, and lacked manpower

The 2nd Continental Congress lacked the power to tax

Military StrategiesMilitary Strategies

Attrition [Wear Attrition [Wear the British down]the British down]

Guerilla tactics Guerilla tactics [Avoid large [Avoid large battles; use a hit-battles; use a hit-and-run strategy] and-run strategy]

Make an alliance Make an alliance with one of with one of Britain’s enemies.Britain’s enemies.

The Americans The BritishQuickly smash Quickly smash the American the American army and win the army and win the warwar

Break the Break the colonies in half by colonies in half by getting between getting between the North & Souththe North & South

Blockade the Blockade the ports to prevent ports to prevent the flow of goods the flow of goods and supplies from and supplies from an ally.an ally.

Use the LoyalistsUse the Loyalists

Phase I: The Northern CampaignPhase I: The Northern Campaign[1775-1776][1775-1776]

• In the Spring of 1775, the Americans launched an attempt In the Spring of 1775, the Americans launched an attempt to capture British controlled Quebec…It failedto capture British controlled Quebec…It failed

• Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition (August 22, 1775)(August 22, 1775)– In response to the invasion, the British government In response to the invasion, the British government

declared the colonies “open and avowed enemies.”declared the colonies “open and avowed enemies.”

• The British began a massive military build up in the The British began a massive military build up in the coloniescolonies– They hoped to overwhelm the Americans and win a They hoped to overwhelm the Americans and win a

quick war.quick war.– In addition to British troops, they also hire Professional In addition to British troops, they also hire Professional

Soldiers from Germany called “Hessians”Soldiers from Germany called “Hessians”• July 4July 4thth 1776 – Declaration Of Independence is 1776 – Declaration Of Independence is

signed.signed.

Phase II – Middle AtlanticPhase II – Middle AtlanticSummer 1776 – Summer 1778 Summer 1776 – Summer 1778

• By August 1775, King George III had declared the By August 1775, King George III had declared the Colonists in “Open Rebellion”Colonists in “Open Rebellion”

• Battle Lines were drawn with many American taking a Battle Lines were drawn with many American taking a side:side:

LoyalistsLoyalists PatriotsPatriotsLoyal to BritainLoyal to Britain American RevolutionistAmerican Revolutionist

Well EquippedWell Equipped Poorly TrainedPoorly Trained

Well Feed/suppliedWell Feed/supplied Little EquipmentLittle Equipment

Led by Gen. T. GageLed by Gen. T. Gage Little MoneyLittle Money

Led by Gen. G. WashingtonLed by Gen. G. Washington

The British have more superior supplies and weapons such as 300 The British have more superior supplies and weapons such as 300 supply ships and 30 battle ships with 1200 cannons and feel this supply ships and 30 battle ships with 1200 cannons and feel this should be an easy and quick victory.should be an easy and quick victory.

Phase IIPhase II::NY & PANY & PA[1776-1778][1776-1778]

• Summer 1776:Summer 1776: The British invaded New York The British invaded New York City, hoping to divide the coloniesCity, hoping to divide the colonies– Washington’s troops fledWashington’s troops fled– The British controlled NYC till the end of the warThe British controlled NYC till the end of the war

• Washington eventually retreated to Philadelphia Washington eventually retreated to Philadelphia to protect the Continental Congressto protect the Continental Congress

• Battle of Trenton (Dec 25, 1776)Battle of Trenton (Dec 25, 1776)– During a snow storm, Washington led a daring During a snow storm, Washington led a daring

surprise attack on Hessian/British forces at Trentonsurprise attack on Hessian/British forces at Trenton– The attack was completely unexpected; traditionally The attack was completely unexpected; traditionally

armies did not fight in the winterarmies did not fight in the winter– This victory helped to boost American moraleThis victory helped to boost American morale

Washington Crossing the DelawareWashington Crossing the Delaware

Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851

BRRRR!

Phase IIPhase II::NY & PANY & PA[1777-1778][1777-1778]

• In the spring of 1777, the British captured In the spring of 1777, the British captured Philadelphia forcing the Continental Philadelphia forcing the Continental Congress to fleeCongress to flee

• Valley Forge (Winter 1777-78)Valley Forge (Winter 1777-78)– Washington’s troops made winter camp near Washington’s troops made winter camp near

PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia– They are badly supplied, lacked food, They are badly supplied, lacked food,

provisions, and proper clothingprovisions, and proper clothing• 2,500 died, many deserted 2,500 died, many deserted

– Marquis de Lafayette (French) & Baron Marquis de Lafayette (French) & Baron Friedrich von Steuben (Prussian) joined the Friedrich von Steuben (Prussian) joined the army and helped them train & improve army and helped them train & improve disciplinediscipline

Major Battles during the WarMajor Battles during the War

Phase IIPhase II::NY & PANY & PA[1777-1778][1777-1778]

• Saratoga (Fall 1777)Saratoga (Fall 1777)– The British launched a badly coordinated attack in The British launched a badly coordinated attack in

upstate New Yorkupstate New York– The American forces won the battle, forcing the The American forces won the battle, forcing the

British to surrender 5,000 men and destroying British to surrender 5,000 men and destroying their northern armytheir northern army

– Called the turning point of the warCalled the turning point of the war• Led to French military alliance (1778)Led to French military alliance (1778)

– Europeans were hesitant to form an alliance until the Europeans were hesitant to form an alliance until the Americans proved themselves Americans proved themselves

– After Saratoga, European countries began sending After Saratoga, European countries began sending troops, naval support, expert trainers, and supplies troops, naval support, expert trainers, and supplies

• Spain formed an alliance with the Americans in 1779Spain formed an alliance with the Americans in 1779

Phase IIIPhase III:: The Southern Strategy The Southern Strategy [1780-1781][1780-1781]

• The British invaded the southern states thinking The British invaded the southern states thinking that loyalist support there was strongestthat loyalist support there was strongest

• Yorktown (Spring-Fall 1781)Yorktown (Spring-Fall 1781)– British General Cornwallis led an invasion of Virginia British General Cornwallis led an invasion of Virginia

(Spring 1781)(Spring 1781)– His army was forced to retreat to the costal town of His army was forced to retreat to the costal town of

YorktownYorktown– America and French forces surrounded the British forces; America and French forces surrounded the British forces;

the French navy prevented Cornwallis from retreating or the French navy prevented Cornwallis from retreating or being re-supplied being re-supplied

– British forces surrendered at Yorktown on Oct 19, 1781British forces surrendered at Yorktown on Oct 19, 1781

• As a result, England began to negotiate a peace As a result, England began to negotiate a peace treatytreaty

Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown:Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown:

Painted by John Trumbull, 1797http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/chronicle_yorktown1781.html

““The World Turned Upside Down!” The World Turned Upside Down!”

Treaty of Paris, 1783Treaty of Paris, 1783September 3, 1783September 3, 1783

• Formally ended the Revolutionary WarFormally ended the Revolutionary War• TermsTerms

– Britain recognized the United States Britain recognized the United States as an independent country as an independent country

– US’s western border was the US’s western border was the Mississippi RiverMississippi River

– Britain returned Florida to SpainBritain returned Florida to Spain– France received British colonies in France received British colonies in

the Caribbean and Africathe Caribbean and Africa

Treaty of Paris, 1783Treaty of Paris, 1783

“Signing the Treaty of Paris, 1783”

The British refused to sit for the painting

and it was never

finished

North America After theNorth America After theTreaty of Paris, 1783Treaty of Paris, 1783

The Revolution in SocietyThe Revolution in Society• The “revolutionary spirit” began affecting different aspects The “revolutionary spirit” began affecting different aspects

of American societyof American society• Republican GovernmentRepublican Government

– By overthrowing the King, Americans created a republic where By overthrowing the King, Americans created a republic where power resides with the citizenspower resides with the citizens

– Elected officials represent the people and govern according to Elected officials represent the people and govern according to laws and a constitution laws and a constitution

• Voting rights expandedVoting rights expanded– The property owning requirement is eased in some states (Adult, The property owning requirement is eased in some states (Adult,

white male, tax payers can vote)white male, tax payers can vote)

• Religious TolerationReligious Toleration– Jefferson pushed to end the relationship between governments Jefferson pushed to end the relationship between governments

and religionand religion– Several states adopt laws mandating religious toleration as well as Several states adopt laws mandating religious toleration as well as

separation of church and state powers separation of church and state powers

• Crash Course…Crash Course…

• revolutionary war

The Revolution in SocietyThe Revolution in Society

• African AmericansAfrican Americans– Thousands of slaves were promised and won Thousands of slaves were promised and won

their independence by fighting for the British their independence by fighting for the British or American armiesor American armies

– Northern & Middle states passed Northern & Middle states passed emancipation laws freeing slaves and emancipation laws freeing slaves and banning slaverybanning slavery

– Southern states refused to follow the trendSouthern states refused to follow the trend• Their economy depended on slaveryTheir economy depended on slavery• Some masters began voluntarily freeing slavesSome masters began voluntarily freeing slaves

The Revolution in SocietyThe Revolution in Society

• WomenWomen– During the war, women played an important partDuring the war, women played an important part

• Female “camp followers” helped support troopsFemale “camp followers” helped support troops• Some women fought in disguise or directly with the Some women fought in disguise or directly with the

troopstroops• Many maintained farms, businesses, and families Many maintained farms, businesses, and families

while their husbands/sons foughtwhile their husbands/sons fought

– After the war, women had some greater access After the war, women had some greater access to education, became more literate, and to education, became more literate, and received some rightsreceived some rights

– NJ gave women the right to vote but it was NJ gave women the right to vote but it was repealed in 1807 repealed in 1807

The Revolution in SocietyThe Revolution in Society

• LoyalistsLoyalists– Throughout the war, around 20-30% of the Throughout the war, around 20-30% of the

American population remained loyal to EnglandAmerican population remained loyal to England• The American Revolution can be seen as a civil war The American Revolution can be seen as a civil war

within a civil warwithin a civil war

– 60,000 fought along side British soldiers60,000 fought along side British soldiers– During and after the war, Loyalists faced During and after the war, Loyalists faced

persecutionpersecution• Their property was takenTheir property was taken• They endured violence and humiliationThey endured violence and humiliation• Around 80,000 emigrated to British controlled Around 80,000 emigrated to British controlled

Canada Canada