Download Revolutionary War and Articles of Confederation

Lexington and Concord (1775)
• “The shot heard around the world”
• The first battle in the Revolutionary War
The Battle of Saratoga
• This was one of the biggest American victories in the war.
• It became the turning point in the war when French agreed to
help the colonists gain their freedom from Britain.
France
• The alliance with France
was a huge advantage for
the colonists.
• France gave money, troops
and use of their navy to
help to defeat the British.
• This also helped because
the British had to defend
itself in Europe as well as in
North America.
Marquis de Lafayette
• He was a French general
who helped the Patriots
during the war.
• He was experienced at
fighting the British and
used that knowledge to
the advantage of the
Patriots.
Benjamin Franklin
• He was integral in getting
the French to join the
Revolutionary War on the
side of the Patriots.
• After the war, Franklin
negotiated the peace treaty
with the British.
– He gained more land for the
United States because he cut
the French out of the
negotiations.
• Of what importance were men such as the
Marquis de Lafayette and Baron von Steuben
to the American cause?
A.
B.
C.
D.
They served as spies.
They provided expertise.
They assisted the British.
They served in Congress.
• Why was the Battle of Saratoga an important
turning point in the American Revolution?
A. It brought Spain into the war on the side of the
British.
B. It created a new alliance between the British and
the French.
C. It allowed the British to secure New York.
D. It motivated the French to offer military and
financial assistance.
• The US victory at Saratoga was especially
important for which of the following reasons?
A. It was the first US victory of the American Revolution.
B. It was the result of a daring move by General
Washington on Christmas night 1776.
C. It convinced France that the US could win the war,
thereby giving the US a crucial ally.
D. It resulted in Britain's immediate surrender and served
as the final decisive battle of the war.
• Why was the Battle of Saratoga a turning point
in the American Revolution?
A. It was followed by a formal alliance with France to
support the American fight for independence.
B. It resulted in the capture of thousands of British
soldiers, along with their pledge to no longer fight
against the Americans.
C. It showed the military skill of Benedict Arnold,
though he would soon change sides.
D. It gave Congress reason to change command of the
Continental Army from General George Washington
to General Horatio Gates
• France’s role in the American Revolution can
best be described as which of the following?
A. Crucial, because the US could not have won without
France’s help
B. Beneficial to the US, but not necessary to achieving
victory
C. Limited, because France entered the war so late
D. Neutral, because France would only fight Britain in
Europe
• France’s decision to help the American
colonies during the Revolutionary War was
MOST LIKELY driven by its desire to
A.
B.
C.
D.
End the power of monarchies in Europe.
Re-capture the Ohio Valley for France.
Humiliate their old adversary, the British.
Form an alliance with the Americans because it
was clear that the US was becoming the
strongest nation on earth.
George Washington
• He was the commander of
the Revolutionary Army.
• He had great leadership
skills.
• At Valley Forge, he showed
the ability to lead his men
through hard times and
prepare them for the rest of
the war.
• Which of the following is the best description
of George Washington as a military leader?
A. He was a weak leader who had trouble winning the respect of his
men.
B. He was a gifted leader who never lost a single battle during the
revolution.
C. Although Congress did not want him to serve as general, he was
elected to that post by the army and surprise everyone with his skill
as a commander.
D. He was an exceptional leader who somehow overcame defeats and
hardships to lead the US to victory.
• Who was the Virginian chosen to command
the American Continental Army during the
Revolutionary War?
A.
B.
C.
D.
George Washington
Lord Cornwallis
Benjamin Franklin
Marquis de Lafayette
D
The Battle of Yorktown
• It was the final battle
of the Revolutionary
War.
• Washington was
able to pin the
British between his
army and the French
navy.
• Lord Cornwallis was
forced to surrender.
The Treaty of Paris (1783)
• The treaty
officially ended
the Revolutionary
War.
• It was signed by
Great Britain,
France, Spain, and
the United States.
The Treaty of Paris (1783)
• Great Britain recognized the independence of the
United States.
• The northern border of the United States was set
primarily along the great lakes.
• The Mississippi River was set as the western border
of the United States.
• Great Britain would remove its troops from the
United States territory.
The Impact of the Revolution
• The traditional ideas about women were now
challenged.
• Native American nations continued to be pushed out
of their land.
• The principle of equality as included in the
Declaration of Independence provided an argument
for the Anti-Slavery cause.
• How did the Treat of Paris 1783 change the
political map of North America?
A. Great Britain gained land.
B. The US claimed land that had been under British
control.
C. France ceded Florida to Spain.
D. The US gained Florida from Spain.
• What did the US gain as a result of the Treaty
of Paris 1783?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The island of Cuba
Part of Quebec
Land west to the Mississippi River
Texas and Florida
• Which statement describes the Battle of
Yorktown?
A. It allowed American and French forces to trap
Cornwallis and 8,000 British troops.
B. It created a new alliance between Great Britain
and Spain.
C. It was a significant British defeat over the
Continentals.
D. It was a surprise attack by British troops over
cold and starving Continentals.
Answer these questions in your notes
• What is the purpose of government?
• Do you think we would be better off with no
government? If so, what may be the
consequences?
The Articles of Confederation
• The first official government of the
United States.
• It established a limited federal
government.
– Single branch-legislative
– One state-One vote
– “Super Majority” needed for
laws
– No power to tax or regulate
commerce
• It gave significant power to the
states.
• Remember, the key was to avoid the
power of the monarch we had just
left
Weaknesses of the Articles
• One vote for each state, regardless of size.
• Congress cannot collect taxes.
– This led to the government to issue worthless paper money that
caused inflation
• Congress powerless to regulate foreign and interstate commerce.
– This restricted growth of interstate commerce and trade
• No separate executive branch to enforce acts of Congress.
• No national court system to interpret laws.
• Amendment only with consent of all the states.
• A 9/13 majority required to pass laws.
• Articles only a “firm league of friendship”
• These weaknesses were demonstrated by Shay’s Rebellion
Causes of Shay’s Rebellion
• The wealthy investors that
had paid for the Revolution
wanted their money back.
• The states raised taxes to pay
the debt.
• Poor farmers rioted in protest
of the raised taxes.
• Massachusetts didn’t have
the money to raise an army to
stop the riots.
• Congress didn’t have the
power to tax to raise a
national army to stop the riot.
Effects of Shay’s Rebellion
• People would defy any
government that
acted against their
wishes.
• It showed America
that the federal
government had to be
strengthened to avoid
civil unrest.