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CHAPTER 8 America Secedes from the Empire 1775-1783 Important terms to know secede = to withdraw from an organization Colonist or colonials = Anyone living in the colonies at the time (who was not sent as a representative of England) was a colonial or a colonist British soldiers were also called • Red coats • “bloody” backs (pejorative) Hi, we’re British soldiers. You can call us red coats But calling us “bloody” backs is an insult!!! Colonials who fought for independence from Britain were called: •Patriots •Rebels •“Whigs” Colonials who wanted to remain part of England were called: • Loyalists • “Tories” These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Thomas Paine, The Crisis December 1776 Introduction Bloodshed at Lexington and Concord in April of 1775 was a clarion call to arms 20,000 “Minutemen” traveled to Boston to challenge the British The Second Continental Congress met in May of 1775 and all 13 colonies were present Second Continental Congress There was no real call for independence, and the conservative element of Congress was still strong Everyone agreed that they should continue fighting and hope that King George and Parliament would consent to a redress of grievances The Second Continental Congress drafted appeals to the British people. They also raised money to create an army and navy in case that didn’t work. I. Congress Drafts George Washington A. Probably the most important action of the Second Continental Congress was drafting George Washington to head the Continental Army that was besieging Boston George Washington by John Trumbull 1.Many people considerable reservations about Washington a. He had never risen above the rank of colonel in the militia b. His largest command had been only 12,000 men and that was 20 years before!! c. He was not a military genius --- he lost more pitched battles than he won 2. BUT Washington a. Had outstanding powers of leadership b. Had strength of character-- radiated patience, courage, self-discipline, and a sense of justice c. Earned the trust of the people d. Was a great moral force rather than a great military mind e. Insisted on serving without pay 3. In truth, Washington’s selection was largely political a. Americans were somewhat distrustful of New England, and having a southerner in charge would help smooth things out b. Washington was from Virginia, the largest of the colonies c. Washington was a man of wealth, so couldn’t be accused of being a fortune seeker II. Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings A. The early days of the war seemed somewhat contradictory 1. On the one hand the Americans were claiming loyalty to King George III and trying to patch things up. 2. On the other hand, they were raising armies and fighting royal troops. 3. War continued for 14 months this way (April 1775 to July 1776) before independence was declared B. Tempo of war increased gradually 1. May 1775 --- a small American force under Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold captured British garrisons at Ticonderoga and Crown Point and were able to capture priceless stores of gunpowder and artillery 2. June 1775 -colonials seized Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill) from where they launched attacks against British in Boston a. The British launched a frontal attack with 3000 men, which was a blunder --- they should have flanked the colonials to block their retreat The British attack on Breeds Hill at the Battle of Bunker Hill British Grenadiers attack the redoubt on Breed's Hill. b.1500 American sharpshooters mowed them down until their gunpowder ran out c. Then Americans had to retreat in disorder The death of the American General Warren at the climax of the Battle of Bunker Hill by John Trumbull d. English technically won e. French foreign minister remarked that with two more victories like that, the British would have no troops left in America e. This was a pyrrhic victory for British Pyrrhic (peer-ic) victory A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with devastating cost to the victor. The phrase is an allusion to King Pyrrhus of Epirus, whose army suffered irreplaceable casualties when he defeated the Romans during the Pyrrhic War. The devastation led to his famous statement, "One more such victory and I am lost" -- hence the term "Pyrrhic victory" for any victory so costly as to be ruinous. 3. Despite the fighting, in July, 1775, Continental Congress adopted “Olive Branch Petition” in which they Olive branch is a colloquial term referring to a concession or a gesture of peace, as well as a peace symbol. (Origin: ancient Greece) a. Claimed loyalty to the king b. Begged king to prevent further hostilities 4. Following Bunker Hill, King George III claimed the colonies were in rebellion What did that really mean? The American signers of the Declaration of Independence had reason to fear for their necks. In 1802, twenty-six years later, King George III approved this death sentence for seven Irish rebels: “. . .(You) are to be hanged by the neck, but not until you are dead; for while you are still living your bodies are to be taken down, your bowels torn out and burned before your faces, your heads then cut off, and your bodies divided each into four quarters, and your heads and quarters to be then at the King’s disposal; and may the Almighty God have mercy on your souls.” Remember the Braveheart execution scene? 5. The next month, George III made things worse when he hired thousands of Germans (called Hessians because they came from the German principality of Hesse) a. Colonials were shocked b. They felt this was a family matter, so why did King George III hire mercenaries? mercenary A solider hired into foreign service A person who serves merely for wages 6. Hessians were good soldiers mechanically but were accused of being more interested in booty (plunder taken in war) a. They were not paid much, but the Germans princes who sent them were paid a lot! b. Derogatorily named “Hessian flies” c. Some deserted and remained in America (where they could get land) d. # of soldiers sent --1776-82: 30,067 (1) 12,562 did not return. (2) 7,754 died (3) 4,808 remained in America... III. The Abortive Conquest of Canada A. The war continued in the colonies 1. October 1775 --- British burned Falmouth (Portland) Maine 2. Also in 1775, Americans undertook an invasion of Canada a. The colonists decided that invading Canada would add a 14th colony and deprive Britain of a valuable base for striking at the colonies in revolt b. Believed that the French Canadians were unhappy and would join them --- BUT THEY WERE WRONG c.This also contradicted the colonial claim that all they wanted was a redress of grievances --- this was an offensive action d. Canadian invasion almost successful --- involved Benedict Arnold and General Richard Montgomery, each leading an invading column --met and launched attack on Quebec (1) Montgomery killed (2) Arnold wounded (3) French Canadians did not join in Death of General Montgomery during the attack on Quebec QUESTION: Why didn’t Quebec residents welcome invaders ANSWER: French-Canadians, who had welcomed the Quebec Act, didn’t really like the antiCatholic invaders. B. Fighting continued 1. Americans still claimed no desire for independence 2. January 1776 --- British burn Virginia town of Norfolk 3. March 1776 --- British were forced to evacuate Boston 4. 1776 --- southern rebels won two victories against Loyalists a. Moores’ Creek Bridge--- victory against some 1500 Loyalists b. Charleston Harbor---won victory against an invading British fleet at Charleston Harbor IV. Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense A. The Americans continued to deny desire for independence because 1. Loyalty to Britain was strong 2. Colonial unity was poor 3. Open rebellion was dangerous B. Americans were slow to realize their inconsistency, but certain British actions provided a “reality check” 1. Burning of Falmouth and Norfolk 2. Hiring of Hessians But then a man who was once a corset-maker’s apprentice changed everything C. In 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense --- one of the most influential pamphlets ever published 1. Thomas Paine was radical who failed at every major undertaking he ever tried…until this 2. Pamphlet quickly sold 120,000 copies 3. Paine pointed out that what the colonists were doing vis a vis England was contrary to “common sense” I just don’t get it!!! Common Sense said nowhere in the universe does the smaller body control the larger body . . . . …so why should the tiny island of England control the vast expanse of America? WHY??? I’m England, and I’m the boss!!! b. Paine also called King George “the Royal Brute of Great Britain” V. Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism” A. Paine’s book was both eloquent and radical 1. It called for both a. Independence b. The creation of a new kind of political society: a democratic republic where sovereignty (power) was in the people, not in the king Is this a joke??? I am not amused. 2. Paine laced his language with biblical imagery 3. Paine argued that all government officials (governors, senators, judges, not just elected members of house of commons) derived their power from the consent of the governed B. Paine wasn’t the first person to advocate this form of government 1. Some Greek and Roman political philosophers had advanced this theory 2. The theory was revived in the Renaissance and in 17th century England 3. England had a delicate balance of power between a. The King b. The nobility and c. The commoners C. Colonial experiences had prepared the colonists for republicanism (This is republican with a small “r”. The Republican Party that we know today was started right before the Civil War as an antislavery party.) republic = a government in sovereignty lies in elected officers and representatives who have been elected by the people and are responsible to them 1. New England town meetings and annual elections were a form of republicanism 2. Committees of Correspondence (1774-1775) were popularly elected and demonstrated feasibility of republican government 3. American colonies had an absence of hereditary aristocracy and relative equality of condition of all land owners D. Americans considered the virtue of its citizens fundamental to successful republican government 1. Power no longer lay with all-powerful king 2. Therefore, individual citizens had to be willing to sacrifice their personal self interest to the public good 3. Rights of “the people” mattered more than private rights 4. Paine insisted America was the ideal place to start a government built on civic virtue The idea of civic virtue is expressed in 1961 (nearly 200 years later) in the inaugural speech of John F. Kennedy: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.” E. Not all Patriots agreed with Paine --many felt he was too democratic 1. Some believed in a republic ruled by “natural aristocracy” 2. To them, republicanism meant an end to hereditary aristocracy but not and end to social aristocracy 3. They did not trust the masses of the radical leveling it implied F. This contest to define American republicanism continued for the next VI. Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence A. Members of the Second Continental Congress, which were meeting in Philadelphia, gradually moved towards making a clean break with England Let’s make the break!!! 1.June, 1776 --- Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced the motion “ These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states . . . “ 2. The motion was adopted a month later -- July 2, 1776 3. This was all that was really needed 4. 4. John Adams remarked that after this, July 2 would be celebrated with fireworks 5. But something was missing B. This was a monumental event and needed some sort of formal declaration to 1.Enlist other English colonies in the Americas 2.Invite assistance from foreign nations 3.Rally resistance at home C. Right after Richard Henry Lee’s resolution was passed in June, Congress appointed a committee to draft such a declaration, and Thomas Jefferson was eventually given the responsibility of writing it 1. Jefferson was picked because he was low man on the totem pole---the task of writing document was not considered to be particularly difficult 2. Jefferson was young (33) but already acknowledged as a brilliant writer 3. Formally approved on July 4, 1776 5. Better called “Explanation of Independence” --- or “Mr. Jefferson’s advertisement of Mr. Lee’s resolution.” Independence Hall Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull D. Jefferson’s style was magnificent 1. Jefferson invoked “natural rights” of humankind --- not just British rights 2. Jefferson argued that because the King had flouted * these rights, the colonists were justified in cutting their connection to him This king flouted the rights of the colonists, and I’m not lion. What does “flout” mean? flout = to treat with contemptuous disregard These young men are openly flouting the school dress code 3. The Jefferson listed all the grievances of the colonists (Imposing taxes without consent, dispensing with trial by jury, establishing a military dictatorship, maintaining standing armies in peacetime, hiring mercenaries, inciting hostilities among the Indians, etc.) E. Jefferson’s argument was one sided, and he took liberties with the truth --- the Declaration of Independence was more like an editorial Okay, so maybe I stretched the truth a little, but my prose is great! F. The Declaration of Independence cleared the air and put an end to the inconsistencies Who of the colonists So are we independent or not??? It says here that we finally declared our independence!! knows??? 1. Colonists could now solicit foreign aid 2. Patriots who defied the king were now “rebels” As Benjamin Franklin said, “Gentlemen we must all hang together or we shall most assuredly all hang separately.” 3. Signers vowed: “We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” 4. The Declaration of Independence is sometimes called the shout heard round the world 5. Lafayette hung it on his wall The Liberty Bell, rung joyously on July 8, 1776 at the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence VII. Patriots and Loyalists A. The War of Independence was a war within a war 1. Colonists loyal to the king (Loyalists) fought American rebels (Patriots) while the rebels also fought the British redcoats a. Loyalists were derisively called Tories (dominant political faction in Britain) b. Patriots were called Whigs (their opposition) c. Patriots: “A Tory is a thing whose head is in England, and its body is in America, and its neck ought to be stretched.” B. The American Revolution was a minority movement 1. 2. Many colonists were apathetic or neutral The two sides tried to get the allegiance and support of the civilians a. British were inept in winning the hearts and minds of the civilians b. Patriot militias played a crucial role British were able to control only those areas they actually occupied except in Tory areas (1) When they left, the militias appeared (2) Militias would “politically educate” the populace (sometimes using coercion) and were very effective agents of revolutionary ideas (3) Militias would harass small British detachments -- one British officer observed that ”the Americans would be less dangerous if they had a regular army” C. Loyalists numbered about 20 % of the population 1. Families sometimes split over this 2. Ben Franklin and his illegitimate son 3. Loyalists were tragic figures a. Loyalty is a virtue (loyalty to family, friends, etc) b. If England had won, they would have been heroes and Washington would have been the villain D. Loyalists were . . . 1. Conservative Americans --people of wealth, culture and caution 2. Loyalists were generally conservatives, but the war divided families 3. Benjamin Franklin’s illegitimate son, William, the last royal governor of New Jersey, was a Loyalist ---while B. Franklin was a super Patriot 4.Loyalists were older people 5. Loyalists were king’s officers 6.Loyalists were often Anglican clergy and much of their congregation 7. Loyalists were prevalent where Anglican Church was strongest –--with the exception of Virginia (debt burdened Anglican aristocrats supported Patriot cause) 8. Loyalists were entrenched in New York City, Charleston, Pennsylvania and New Jersey 9. When Washington’s troops were starving at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania nearby farmers were selling produce to British 10. Loyalists were less numerous in New England E. Young people were Patriots 1. Samuel Adams 2. Patrick Henry --“Give me liberty or give me death!” 3. New England Presbyterian and Congregational Churches were more likely Patriots VIII. The Loyalist Exodus A. Before the Declaration of Independence, the persecution of Loyalists was rather mild, but after the Declaration of Independence, it became much harsher B. Loyalists were regarded by Patriots as 1. Hundreds of Loyalists were imprisoned; a few were hanged 2. BUT there was no Reign of Terror (as in France and Russia), because a. Colonials had Anglo-Saxon regard for order b. Leading Loyalists fled to British lines 3. About 80,000 loyalists were driven out or fled the colonies and their estates were confiscated and sold to help finance the war 4. 50,000 Loyalists fought for the British IX. General Washington at Bay A. The War in 1776-1777: Britain changed its focus to the former Middle Colonies with New York as it center of operations B. British had 35,000 troops vs. 18,000 ill trained troops for Washington C. Battle of Long Island (Summer & Fall 1776) 1. Washington’s troops were routed at the Battle of Long Island 2. Thanks to the fog, Washington’s army was able to escape from Long Island to Manhattan and then NJ 3. British pursued them sounding fox-hunting calls D. British lost a great opportunity to crush the Americans early 1. Washington’s adversary: General William Howe a. Not a military genius b. Remember Bunker Hill?? c. Did not like fighting in the winter so he holed up with his mistress, Mrs. Loring (wife of a subordinate)--Americans had great fun with this Francis Hopkinson, one of the signers f the Declaration of Independence, wrote a ballad to the turn of Yankee Doodle. Part of it went: Sir William he, snug as a flea, Lay all this time a snoring; Nor dreamt of harm, as he lay warm In bed with Mrs. L-ng. E. Battle of Trenton (Dec. 1776) 1. Washington crossed the iceclogged Delaware River on Dec. 26, 1776 2. At Trenton, surprised and captured about 1,000 Hessians who were sleeping off their Christmas partying General Washington at Trenton Battle in the Streets of Trenton The surrender to General George Washington of the dying Hessian commander, Colonel Rahl, at the Battle of Trenton F. Battle of Princeton (Jan. 1777) 1. One week after Trenton, Washington defeated a smaller British force at Princeton 2. British forced to pull his outposts back to New York George Washington at the Battle of Princeton G. Trenton and Princeton were gambles by Washington to achieve quick victories to revive the disintegrating Continental Army---and they paid off! X. Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne A. London officials adopted a complicated scheme for capturing the vital Hudson River Valley in 1777 which, if successful, would severe New England from the rest of the colonies 1. General (“Gentleman Johnny”) Burgoyne was to lead the main invading force down the Lake Champlain route from Canada. 2. General Howe’s troops in New York, if needed, could advance up the Hudson and meet Burgoyne in Albany. 3. A third and much smaller British force commanded by Colonel Barry St. Ledger would come in from the west by way of Lake Ontario and the Mohawk Valley 1. Benedict Arnold saved New England by slowing down British invasion of New York ---after failure at Quebec, he retreated slowly along the St. Lawrence back to Lake Champlain, where the British would have to win control (of the lake) before proceeding a.The Brits stopped to build a huge force, while Arnold assembled a tattered flotilla from whatever boats he could find b. Arnold’s “navy” was destroyed, but he had gained valuable time, because winter set in and the British settled in Canada; they would have to begin anew the next spring c.Had Arnold not contributed his daring and skill, the Brits most likely would have recaptured Ticonderoga and Burgoyne could have started from there and succeeded in his venture d. If Burgoyne had captured Fort Ticonderoga, it probably would have led to a British success in this campaign to cut off New England B. Burgoyne began his mission with 7000 troops and a heavy baggage train consisting of a great number of the officers’ wives 1. Meanwhile, “sneaky” rebels, sensing the kill, were gathering along his flanks 2. General Howe, at a time when he should be starting up the Hudson, deliberately embarked for an attack on Philadelphia a. He wanted to force an encounter with Washington and leave the path wide open for Burgoyne’s thrust; he thought he had enough time to help Burgoyne if needed b. Washington transferred his troops to Philly, but was defeated at Brandywine Creek and Germantown c. Then, the fun-loving Howe settled down in Philadelphia, leaving Burgoyne “to the dogs” d. Ben Franklin, in Paris, joked that Howe hadn’t captured Philadelphia, but that “Philadelphia had captured Howe” 3. Washington finally retired for the winter at Valley Forge, where his troops froze in the cold, but a recently arrived Prussian drill master, Baron von Steuben, whipped the cold troops into shape 4. Burgoyne’s doomed troops were bogged down, and the rebels swarmed in with a series of sharp engagements, pushing the St. Legers force back at Oriskany while Burgoyne, unable to advance or retreat, surrendered his entire force at Saratoga, on October 17, 1777 General Burgoyne surrenders to General Gates 5. Battle of Saratoga was the battle of the American Revolution, because . . . a.It made possible French aid which ultimately ensured American independence b. The Spanish and Dutch eventually entered and England was faced with world war c. It revived the faltering colonial cause XI. Revolution in Diplomacy? (previously called “Strange French Bedfellows”---quote from Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”) Political interests can bring together people who otherwise have little in common. This saying is adapted from a line in the play The Tempest, by William Shakespeare: “Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.” It is spoken by a man who has been shipwrecked and finds himself seeking shelter beside a sleeping monster. A. France saw Revolutionary war as an opportunity to stab England in the back and to exact revenge on the British for the Seven Years War 1. England’s New World colonies were England's most valuable overseas possessions 2. Losing them would damage the power and prestige of England B. American revolutionaries badly needed help in throwing off British rule C. The stage was set for the embattled new nation to make its diplomatic debut by sealing an alliance with France against their common foe: England D. Yet America also had rebellious ideas about international affairs as well 1. They wanted an end to mercantilism and colonialism 2. They strongly supported free trade and freedom of the seas 3. They hoped to substitute the rule of law for the ancient reliance on raw power 4. When the new Republic’s great seal proclaimed novus ordo seculorum---a new order for the ages---this was meant to apply to international as well as domestic affairs 5. Continental Congress drafted a “Model Treaty” to help guide the Americans they were sending to France a. John Adams, one of the main authors, described it as … “1. No political connection . . . 2. No military connection . . . . 3. Only a commercial connection.” b. These were bold restrictions for a nation struggling to be born c. They represented an emerging school of thought that was popular among enlightened figures in Europe and America (1) They thought history had reached a turning point where military conflict would be abandoned and the bonds of mutual commercial interests would guarantee peace among the nations of the world (2) This was naïve and utopian, but it infused a sense of idealism in American attitudes in international affairs 6. Ben Franklin went to France to negotiate and made it a point to violate every norm of diplomatic behavior: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Plain white walking stick instead of ceremonial sword Homespun coat and fur cap instead of fancy wigs and ermined robes He was well aware of “how this must appear among the Powder’d Heads of Paris” He shocked the royal court, but ordinary Parisians adored him---specimen of new democratic social order Franklin embraced and kissed the famed French philosopher Francois Voltaire in a Paris theater--French spectators applauded wildly The Reception of Benjamin Franklin in France America’s cause was a sort of fad in France --They began to secretly send supplies to the Americans started after Lexington in 1775 --France worried open aid to America might provoke British attacks on French interests helped forge the Franco-American Alliance ---About 90% of the gunpowder used in the first two and a half years of the war came from France ---France was worried that the Americans would patch up things with England and France would be left hanging out to dry, but Declaration of Independence a turning point for French aid --showed Americans meant business E. After the humiliation at Saratoga, the British offered the Americans a measure that gave them home rule—everything they wanted except independence---Ben Franklin used this to play skillfully on France’s fears of the colonies and England reconciling F. Victory at Saratoga displayed an excellent chance for defeating England G. France, in 1778, offered a treaty of alliance, offering America everything that Britain had offered, plus recognition of independence.--Americans accepted with caution, since France was pro-Catholic, but since they needed help, they’d take it---Franco American Alliance XII. The Colonial War Becomes a Wider War A. So by 1778, England and France were effectively at war; then Spain and Holland both entered the war against Britain, so it was now a world war B. Many European countries resented England’s naval dominance and the trampling of their maritime rights and began demanding more respect 1. 1780, Catherine the Great of Russia formed the Armed Neutrality whose members were neutral but hostile to England 2. War was now being fought in Europe, North America, South America, Caribbean and Asia C. French aid was to the American cause 1. Americans deserve credit for keeping war going from 1775 until 1778 2. From 1778 to 1783, France provided a. Money b. Equipment c. One half of America’s armed forces d. Almost all the naval strength D. English decided to evacuate Philadelphia in 1778, and the retreating redcoats were attacked by George Washington at Monmouth, New Jersey 1. Very hot day --- men collapsed or died of sunstroke 2. British escaped 3. Washington spent most of the rest of the war trying to hem in British in New York Molly Pitcher loading her husband's cannon during the Battle of Monmouth Battle of Monmouth, NJ, June 28, 1778 XIII. Blow and Counterblow 1. In the summer of 1780, 6,000 regular French troops landed in Newport, Rhode Island 2.French troops were commanded by Comte de Rochambeau 3. Flares sometimes erupted between the Americans and the French a. There was suspicion at first b. French gold and good will melted American hearts CELEBRATION of the 225th ANNIVERSARY of the 1780 arrival of the Comte de ROCHAMBEAU and his French Military Expedition at NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND 8 - 10 July 2005 B. Improving American morale was set back when Benedict Arnold feeling unappreciated and lured by British gold, turned traitor by plotting with the British to sell out West Point 1. Benedict Arnold was frustrated with his treatment by his superiors despite his heroic service I just don’t get enough respect from the Americans. Hmmmmm…. I think I’ll become a traitor. 2. Arnold persuaded General Washington to make him head of West Point, which commanded the Hudson River 3. Arnold plotted with the British to sell out West Point 4. The plot was accidentally discovered by Washington 5. When the plot was discovered, Arnold fled with the British 6. “Whom can we trust now?” cried George Washington in anguish 5. The British devised a plan to roll up the colonies from the South a. Georgia was ruthlessly overrun in 17781779 b. Charleston, South Carolina, fell in 1780 c. In the Carolinas, Patriots bitterly fought their Loyalist neighbors d. However, in 1781, American riflemen wiped out a British detachment at King’s Mountain, and then defeated a smaller force at Cowpens e. At the Carolina campaign of 1781, Quakerreared tactician General Nathanael Greene distinguished himself Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton of the 17th Light Dragoons, British commander of the notorious Tarleton’s Legion Battle of Cowpens • The war in the southern colonies had become something of a stalemate, neither side having sufficient strength to hazard full out offensive operations. The fighting was conducted by raiding columns and guerilla activity. Both sides behaved with unrestrained ferocity. • Tarleton had made his reputation in the southern colonies as a ruthless and impetuous commander. Pursued by Tarleton, Morgan determined to make a stand by the Broad River. He selected a simple position on two low hills in open woodland in the expectation that Tarleton would make a headlong attack without pausing to devise a more subtle plan. Morgan was correct in his assessment of Tarleton’s actions. Battle of Cowpens Colonel Washington and his dragoons attacking the British Light Dragoons Battle of Cowpens Casualties: The British lost 39 officers and 60 soldiers killed. 829 were captured. 12 Americans were killed and 60 wounded. The Americans captured the British baggage and the colours of the 7th Foot. Colonel "Light Horse" Harry Lee Follow-up: This small battle had an effect disproportionate to its size. As seemed to be the case throughout the war British victories achieved little in the long term while every American victory gave encouragement to the colonies. Tradition and anecdote: • The Americans gave “Tarleton’s quarter” to the surrendering British and Loyalist troops- a bayonet in the stomach- until restrained by their officers, an indication of the depths of ferocity to which the fighting in the Carolinas descended, substantially due to the conduct of Tarleton and his Legion. XIV. The Land Frontier & the Sea Frontier A. West raged throughout most of the war Theyebdabegea ---Joseph Brant 1.Indian allies of Britain attacked American frontier positions --- English allegedly paid for Patriot scalps 2. 1777 known as "the Bloody Year" on the frontier 3. Two of Iroquois tribes (Oneida and Tuscaroras) sided with Americans 4. Six nations of the Iroquois sided with the British b. Urged on by Mohawk Chief Theyebdabegea --called Chief Joseph Brant (“Monster Brant”) by British -- to backcountry PA and NY c. Forced to sign Treaty of Fort Stanwix -- 1st treaty between United States & Indian nation d. Indians lost most of their lands B. Movement continued despite treacherous war conditions (especially Kentucky) C. Illinois country taken from the British George Rogers Clark, an audacious frontiersman, seized several British ports along the Ohio River by surprise: Kaskaskia, Cahokia (St. Louis), and Vincennes, Indiana 1. Helped quiet Indian involvement 2. His admirers' credit him for forcing the British to cede the whole Ohio region in the peace treaty of Paris after the war. This is still a debate. The Fall of Fort Sackville by Frederick C. Yohn D. The American Navy 1. John Paul Jones most famous American naval leader 2. Chief contribution was destroying British merchant shipping and carrying war into the waters around the British Isles 3. "I have not yet begun to fight!" 4. Did not affect Britain's navy E. American Privateers were more effective than the American navy 1. Privately owned ships authorized by Congress to attack enemy ships 2. 600 British ships captured; British captured as many American merchantmen & privateers 3. Brought in gold, harassed the British, and increased American morale by providing American victories 4. Not a total asset---drained manpower from the war effort by drawing off good men who wanted to get rich quick F. Major naval battles between British, French, & other European powers A. Mostly in the West Indies B. British overcome by French, Spanish and Dutch -- War continued until 1785 when British won last battle near India XV. Yorktown and the Final Curtain A. 1780-1781 was one of the darkest periods in the war 1. There was run away inflation 2. Congress was forced to repudiate much of its debts at 3. There was much despair 4. Disunion was increasing among the colonies/states B. In the meantime, British General Cornwallis--one of the only truly competent British generals--- was blundering into a trap 1.He went to Yorktown (on the Chesapeake Bay) to wait for supplies 2.He assumed the British navy was always in control--Wrong!! 3.He did this during one of the brief periods during the war in which England was not in control of the seas 4.The French were ready to pounce ---Admiral de Grasse , who had a powerful French fleet in the West Indies, advised the Americans that he was ready to join with them in an assault on Yorktown and/or Cornwallis 5.De Grasse blockaded the British fleet from going to Yorktown C. Washington and his troops marched 300 miles to Yorktown 1. Cornwallis was cornered and was forced to surrender his entire force of 7,000 men on October 19, 1781 2. Yorktown was a disaster for the English 3. Prime Minister Lord North cried, “Oh God! It’s all over! It’s all over!” Surrender of the British Surrender at Yorktown French drawing of the surrender at Yorktown D. George III was stubborn and desired to keep fighting 1. Still had 54,000 troops in North America including 32,000 in the United States 2. Fighting actually continued for more than a year after Yorktown and Washington kept the patriot cause alive 3. Patriot-Loyalist battle in South particularly savage XVI. Peace at Paris A. After Yorktown, many of the British wanted to settle with the Americans, despite King George III’s desire to keep on fighting B. Three American peace negotiators gathered at Paris: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay 1. Were given explicit instructions: Consult with France, no separate peace with England 2. Americans did not like that directive---they knew it had been basically written by the French C. France was eager to smash English Empire but wanted to keep the United States cooped up east of the Alleghenies---to ensure weakness 1. They desired a weak America--independent but easy to manipulate to support French interests 2. France paid a heavy price to help America win its independence, and it wanted to get its money’s worth D. Jay believed France was about to betray American interests in order to satisfy Spain, so he secretly made overtures to London (against instructions from Congress) and came to terms quickly with the British E. The Treaty of Paris of 1783, Britain formally recognized the USA and granted generous boundaries, stretching majestically to the Mississippi on the west, the Great Lakes on the north, and to Spanish Florida on the South 1. The Yankees also retained a share in the priceless fisheries of Newfoundland 2. Americans couldn’t persecute Loyalists, though, and Congress could only recommend legislatures that confiscated Loyalist land Signing of the Preliminary Treaty of Paris, September 3, 1783 XVII. A New Nation Legitimized A. Britain had ceded so much land because it was trying to entice America from its French alliance 1. Remember, George Rogers Clark had only conquered a small part of the land 2. Also, during the time, the Americanfriendly Whigs were in control of the Parliament, which was not to be the case in later years B. France approved the treaty, though with cautious eyes 1. They savored defeating a foe 2. Plunged into bankruptcy and revolution C. In truth, America came out the big winner, and seldom, if ever, have any people been so favored