Download American Revolution

SSUSH 4
• The student will identify the
ideological, military, and
diplomatic aspects of the
American Revolution.
Overview
• This standard asks the student to recognize three
characteristics of the American Revolution: the
philosophical reasons for the Revolution as
exemplified by the Declaration of Independence,
the role and importance of France and other
nations to the successful accomplishment of the
United States’ independence, and the role of
George Washington in creating a national army,
the hardships experienced by those soldiers, and
Vocabulary
• Declaration of
Independence
• • John Locke
• • George Washington
• • Crossing the
Delaware River
• • Valley Forge
• Benjamin Franklin
• • Marquis de
Lafayette
• • General Charles
Cornwallis
• • Battle of Yorktown
• • 1783 Treaty of Paris
SSUSH4
• a. Explain the language, organization,
and intellectual sources of the
Declaration of Independence; include
the writing of John Locke and the role
of Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson
• wrote the Declaration of Independence
• based on government philosophy and input
from other colonial leaders.
• Some ideas from John Locke (Life, Liberty,
Pursuit of Happiness)
Declaration of Independence
• document that declared our independence
(freedom) from Great Britain. (Compare to
Divorce Papers)
• It leads to the American Revolution.
• Signed by 55 men now known as founding
fathers.
Declaration of Independence
• Organization
o Preamble states purpose of document
o Written by Thomas Jefferson
o Inspired by ideas of John Locke (natural rights)
o Included ideas of Montesquieu (government
should protect personal liberties)
The Preamble of the Declaration of
Independence
• states the purpose for the document.
• In this case, the preamble states that when a
government infringes upon the “natural
rights” of people, the people need to separate
from that government.
John Locke
• His ideas that are found in the Declaration are
natural rights) that all are entitled to and the
government cannot take away.
• life, liberty, property (REMEMBER
Locke=3 L’s)
• Jefferson changed it to Life, Liberty, and
Pursuit of Happiness
Baron Montesquieu
• Believed that a government exists to preserve
and protect individual liberties
• Idea was included in the Declaration of
Independence.
• Also influenced the Constitution with the idea
for separation of powers between 3 branches of
government.
SSUSH4
• b. Explain the reason for and significance of
the French alliance and foreign assistance
and the roles of Benjamin Franklin and the
Marquis de Lafayette.
American Revolution
• War was between Great Britain and the
American Colonies for American Independence.
• War was over “Taxation without
Representation”
• Great Britain tried to get back money spent in
the French and Indian War.
• First shots were fired at Lexington and
Concord WAY BEFORE official revolution
started.
• Bunker Hill was a place right outside New
Benjamin Franklin, Marquis de
Lafayette and the French Alliance
• Ben Franklin was ambassador to France and was trying to get the
French to help the colonies in their fight against Great Britain
• Franklin became friends with the Marquis de Lafayette who wanted
to help the Americans
• Lafayette met with the King of France and convinced the King that id
the Americans could win a large victory then France would help.
• Decided to help the Americans in the Revolutionary War after the
Battle of Saratoga (major victory)
• Provided resources, training, and troops
• The Marquis de Lafayette trained Americans to be professional
soldiers
• **The French Fleet (ships) Trapped the British from escaping at
Yorktown and helped to force the British surrender to the Americans
SSUSH4
• c. Analyze George Washington as a military
leader; include the creation of a professional
military and the life of a common soldier,
and describe the significance of the crossing
of the Delaware River and Valley Forge.
Common Soldier in
Revolutionary War
• two distinct groups-the state militias and the
Continental Army
• Militias were organized by each state and
community and generally provided their own
weapons and uniforms
• Enlistments were short term and training was poor
• notoriously unreliable in battle
• At the urging of Washington, Congress provided for
George Washington and the
Continental Army
• appointed by Congress to be Commander and
Chief of the Continental Army in June 1775
• reorganized the Continental Army, secured
additional equipment and supplies,
• started a training program to turn
inexperienced recruits into a professional
military.
• Washington’s strong personality and reputation
garnered him the support and respect of
American soldiers
George Washington (military leader)
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Raised troop morale
Great military strategies
Crossing the Delaware River
Lead troops across frozen Delaware River
Planned surprise attack on Hessians at Battle
of Trenton
• This attack was successful and saved the army
by capturing badly need supplies and warm
houses to live in
Washington Crosses the
Delaware River
• December 25, 1776
• a surprise attack against Hessian/British forces
at Trenton, New Jersey
• marched his force across New Jersey and
defeated a pursuing British force
• boosted the morale of American forces
Valley Forge
• Winter of 1777-1778
• Bitter Cold
• American Army was encamped at Valley Forge,
Pennsylvania
• clothing was in short supply
• European soldiers such as Baron von Steuben and
Lafayette taught the soldiers how to organize and
fight together as one unit
SSUSH4
• d. Explain the role of geography at
the Battle of Yorktown, the role of
Lord Cornwallis, and the Treaty of
Paris, 1783.
Lord Cornwallis
• was the British military leader
• surrendered at Yorktown.
Yorktown
• Geography was important in the final battle of
the war
• American troops had them surrounded on land
French navy blocked any sea escape
• the British were forced to surrender here and
end the American Revolution
Treaty of Paris 1783
•
Was the official surrender signed by the
British to END the American Revolution
•
Recognized the INDEPENDENCE of the
American colonies
• gained control of land stretching to the
Mississippi River. Britain ceded Florida to
Spain and certain African and Caribbean
colonies to France