The Legacy of the War Chapter 7, Section 4

Key Terms Treaty of Paris of 1783 – the treaty that ended the

Revolutionary War, confirming the independence of the United States and setting the boundaries of the new nation

Republicanism – the belief that government should be based on the consent of the people; people exercise their power by voting for political representatives

Elizabeth Freeman – sued for her freedom in a Massachusetts court and won in 1781; her case (and others) helped end slavery in MA

Richard Allen – preacher who helped start the Free African Society and founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Bell Ringer

These questions will help you understand the soldiers’ life.

1. Read “A Voice from the Past” on page 211. How does Joseph Plumb Martin react to the end of the war? Do you think other soldiers felt as he did?

2. Give an example from your own experience of ties forged through shared difficulties.

For many, it seemed the impossible had happened. How had the Americans defeated one of the most powerful nations in the world?

patriotic spirit

advantage of fighting on home ground

skilled leadership

help from abroad

The long war for independence was finally over. Now, it was time to make peace.

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Peace talks between the two sides were held in Paris, France.

Why the Americans Won

1. What drawbacks did the Americans have to overcome? They lacked training and experience Often short of supplies and weapons

2. What factors aided the Americans? Better leadership Foreign aid Knowledge of the land Motivation

The talks resulted in the Treaty of Paris. The treaty was approved by Congress in April 1783.

Treaty of Paris

• Britain recognized American independence.

• Both sides agreed tonew U.S. boundaries.

North America in 1783

The boundaries of the new nation were:

• Canada on the north• the Mississippi River

on the west• Florida on the south

Florida was returned to Spain.

The Treaty of Paris

3. What was the most important condition of the Treaty of Paris? The United States was independent

4. What provisions benefited the British? The Americans? The Loyalists? British Repayment of debts Americans Independence, land, rights to fish off Canada, return of slaves Loyalists Seized property was to be returned

Soldiers and civilians alike were affected by the financial burdens of paying for the war.

• Congress printed continentals to pay expenses, but the money soon lost its value.

• Congress had no power to tax, and the states had little money.

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Costs of the War 5. What were some of the human

costs of the war? 25,700 Americans died; 1,400

missing; 8,200 wounded 10,000 British died

Soldiers who survived had no money; they received land, but often sold it for money

6. What financial problems did the war leave for the new nation? The war left the nation with a debt of

about 27 million dollars

Costs of the War

7. Why do you think the Loyalists left the United States? They were afraid of reprisals They wanted to remain under British rule

8. How did the Loyalists change Canada? They settled new towns and provinces Brought English traditions to areas that the French had settled Today, Canada has both English and French as official languages

Issues After the War

9. Explain the idea of republicanism. Instead of a king, the people would rule Government would obtain its authority from the citizens and be

responsible to them

10. How did the citizenship obligations of men and women differ? Only some men were allowed to take part in governing by voting or

holding public office Women could help by teaching their children the virtues that benefitted

public life – honesty, duty, and willingness to make sacrifices

The immediate effect of the Revolution was to create a new nation—the United States of America.

The nation was made up of thirteen independent states, linked by custom and history.

Issues After the War

11. How did the new principles of government affect other aspects of American life? Religious freedom Separation of church and state Slavery

12. How did free African Americans take on the responsibility of trying to improve their lives? They began self-help organizations and African American churches

The long-term effects of the Revolution, however, continue today.

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• The ideals of equality and liberty continue to gain broader meaning.

• The Revolution has inspired independence movements around the world.