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Chapter 8 America Secedes from the Empire
2nd Continental Inconsistency
Bunker Hill
Congress
Thomas Paine
Common Sense Richard Henry
Lee
Loyalists
Trenton
Armed
Neutrality
York Town
1781
Benedict
Arnold/Traitor
Treaty of Paris
1783
Bloody War
Hessian
Declaration of
Independence
Saratoga
Treaty of
Stanwix
The 14th
Colony
Patriots
The French
Ally
Privateering
2nd Continental Congress – Met following the battles of Lexington and Concord May
10, 1775. Still no desire for Independence. They select George Washington as the
commander of the army. Smart because he is from Virginia, the largest and most
populous of the colonies. He already was wealthy, thus he was not just seeking his
fortune.
Inconsistency – On one side of things the Americans were affirming their loyalty to the
king on the other hand they were raising armies and fighting the king’s men. This went
on for two years before the actual battle for Independence was taken.
Bunker Hill -- The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, as part of the
Siege of Boston during the American Revolutionary War. It is considered by some to be
the bloodiest battle of the war. General Israel Putnam was in charge of the revolutionary
forces, and Major General William Howe commanded the British forces. Although the
battle is known as "Bunker Hill", most of the fighting took place on Breed's Hill nearby.
On their third assault the British forces overran the revolutionaries' fortified earthworks
on Breed's and Bunker Hill. Even though it was a victory for the British, they suffered
more than 1000 casualties. Howe's immediate objective was achieved, but the attack
demonstrated the American will to stand in pitched battle and did not change the status of
the siege.
Even after the battle The Continental Congress adopted the “Olive Branch Petition”
professing American Loyalty to the King if he can prevent any more war.
Hessian -- George III proclaimed the colonies in an official state of rebellion and hired
foreign mercenaries to help crush the colonists. Most of the mercenaries were German
coming from the region of Hesse, thus the Americans call the mercenaries Hessian.
The 14th Colony? – The colonists try to conquer the once French colonies, because they
feel the French colonists would side with them and they also could take resources away
from the British. But the Canadians do not want anything to do with the non-catholic
Americans. NO SUCCESS
Even in 1776 the colonies were still continued to disclaim the desire for Independence.
Yet events will slowly change their mind. – The British set fire to Norfolk
Discussion why did Americans continue to deny any intention of Independence?
 Deeply ingrained
 Part of a larger transatlantic community
 Colonial unity was poor
 Rebelling against the worlds strongest military power was not very appealing
Thomas Paine – Wrote the Common Sense. Because of his later role in the French
Revolution and his attacks on Christianity in the Age of Reason, Paine has long been the
most controversial of the Revolutionary heroes. Teddy Roosevelt called him a “dirty
little atheist” After the Revolution Paine traveled to Britain and France and promoted his
iron-bridge invention. He became a French citizen and was elected to the Revolutionary
Convention. Following his return to America in 1801, even his influential friends like
Jefferson avoided him. He died in poverty. After his death a British admirer dug up his
bones and shipped them to Britain where they were lost.
Common Sense -- one of the most influential pamphlets or tracts ever written. Common
Sense, why should the tiny island control a continent, it called for independence and the
creation of a republic. Not everyone agrees with this approach, some feel the natural
aristocracy should rule.
Richard Henry Lee -- gave a speech to the continental congress proposing
Independence. After considerable debate the resolution was adopted on July 2nd 1776.
Quote “Why then do we longer delay? Why still deliberate? Let this most happy
day give birth to the American Republic. Let her arise not to devastate and
conquer, but to re-establish the reign of peace and law”
Declaration of Independence – After the resolution was passed an official statement had
to be authored. The task was given to Thomas Jefferson. It was formally approved on
July 4th 1776. It was really an advertisement to gain support from the colonists.
The war of Independence was really a war within a war. Colonial loyalists fighting
against colonial rebels and then the rebels were fighting the loyalists and the red coats.
Many of the colonists were neutral, but each side would try to persuade them to choose
their side. Although there was no reign of terror seen in the French and Russian
Revolutions
Patriots – American rebels
Loyalists – 16% of the population, Many people of education, of culture, and wealth
remained cautious and loyal. They were more numerous among the older generation, and
strongest in the Anglican Church. Numerous in New England
Once the actual war was declared the colonists were off to a slow start.
Trenton -- The Battle of Trenton took place on December 26, 1776, during the
American Revolutionary War after Washington's crossing of the Delaware River. General
George Washington led the main Continental Army across the river to surprise and
virtually eliminate the Hessian garrison at Trenton, New Jersey. This overwhelming
victory helped to preserve the Continental Army and set the stage for the Battle of
Princeton the following week.
The British and the Colonists were at constant battle for the area around Hudson Bay
Saratoga -- The Battle of Saratoga in July and October 1777 was a decisive American
victory that was to result in France entering the conflict on behalf of the Americans
during the American Revolutionary War. The capture of a British army secured the
northern American states from further attacks out of Canada and prevented New England
from being isolated. It emboldened France to join the war on behalf of the Americans.
The French Ally – If the colonies could be taken away from the British, France would
perhaps once again regain its former position and prestige. After the shooting at
Lexington in 1775 the French secretly provided the Americans with supplies like
firearms. But the French did not official became an ally until the Declaration of
Independence and the win at Saratoga. (The French were afraid that the British and the
colonists would reconcile)
The colonial war becomes a world war look at chart on page 156
Armed Neutrality – In 1780 Catherine the Great of Russia organized the Armed
Neutrality. It lined up the remaining European neutrals in an attitude of passive hostility
toward Britain.
The Americans deserve credit for having kept the war going until 1778, but they did not
achieve their independence until the conflict erupted into a multi-power world war that
was too big for Britain.
Benedict Arnold/Traitor – No military advantage came immediately following the
French reinforcement, especially around Rhode Island and New York. Moral was down,
until Arnold was found out as a traitor, selling secrets to the British, so they could win
West Point. Arnold felt betrayed when he was over looked for a promotion, so decided to
make some money and get even. His plan was discovered.
Bloody War – The year 1777 was known as the Bloody year on the Frontier. Both sides
had Natives as allies. Mohawk chief Joseph Brant thought a victorious Britain would
stop American expansion. Brant and the British attacked the back country areas –
bounties for scalps.
Treaty of Fort Stanwix – In 1784 the pro British Iroquois were forced to sign this treaty,
the first between the United States and an Indian Nation. Most of the Native Land was
ceded.
Privateering – Privately owned ships (legalized pirates) used to prey on enemy shipping.
It was not effect drove man power away from actual fighting and drove Americans into
the enticing speculation business
York Town 1781 -- This was an assault on British Cornwallis at Yorktown. With the
help of the French the surrounded Cornwallis regiment and forced him to surrounder on
Oct. 19 1781. The battle was the beginning of the end for Great Britain. The stubborn
King George III kept fighting another year after York Town.
Treaty of Paris 1783 – In the treaty The British formally recognized the independence of
the United States, granted generous boundaries, able to maintain fishing areas around
Newfoundland (Canadians were not happy)
Great Britain was trying to seduce America from France, so the terms were as alluring as
possible.
France glad the costly war was over