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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