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THE ROAD TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: 1763-1775 I. The American colonies prior to the American Revolution. A. In 18th century, large percentage of American colonists were proud to belong to British empire. 1. Newer studies suggest that by 1763 the American colonies had achieved tremendous integration within the empire; did not forget their "Britishness" 2. On average, Americans had the highest standard of living in the world. a. Drop in price of British goods meant American consumers had many choices. b. Landownership opportunities far better than in Europe. B. "Salutary neglect" (beginning about 1713) 1. Between 1713 and 1763 American colonials saw reduced gov't intervention in colonial affairs. a. Whig prime minister, Sir Robert Walpole, believed leaving the colonies alone to run their own affairs with little interference would produce more wealth and commerce, and cause less friction. b. Britain would provide peace, protection, commerce, ensure law and send more immigrants to America to increase numbers of customers. c. Britain was focused on major wars in Europe. d. Colonies left to raise, equip & train own militia for protection against Indians. e. In effect, colonies left alone; had to develop self-reliance; effective organization 3. Development of self-government a. 13 separate colonial governments emerged; often undermined the authority of Parliament. b. Local gov't was much more responsive to local needs c. Americans became used to regulating their own affairs without significant interference. d. American manufacturing increased despite British policies to protect British manufacturers (Navigation Laws)-- Cost of American goods increased making merchants wealthy. 4. Smuggling became rampant as British policy became lax in 18th century. C. Violent protests by western colonists toward eastern authority continued. 1. Paxton Boys (1764): Philadelphia Scots Irish dissenters revolted against Quaker leniency regarding gov’t Indian policy: -- 20 peaceful Indians killed, followed by a march on Philadelphia demanding better representation, protection against Indians on the frontier, and funds for internal improvements. 2. Regulator Movement (1771) a. Eastern farmers in N. Carolina frustrated with British tax policies, inadequate representation of western farmers in the colonial assembly, and legislation favoring wealthy planters in the east. b. Fighting lasted for three years. 3. These two rebellions were similar to Bacon's & Leisler's rebellions in 17th c. and two future rebellions: Shays' Rebellion in 1787 and Whisky Rebellion in 1794. II. The Mercantilist System A. Mercantilism: Colonies existed for the benefit of the mother country 1. Colonies should add to empire's wealth, prosperity, and selfsufficiency. 2. Colonies' benefit to Great Britain a. Ensure British naval supremacy by providing ships, ships' stores, sailors and trade. b. Provide raw materials: tobacco, indigo, lumber, fish, etc. c. Provide a large consumer market for British goods. d. Keep gold & silver in the empire through economic selfsufficiency. -- Britain would not need purchase good from foreign countries. B. Navigation Laws 1. Purpose: enforce the mercantilist system 2. Motive: First enacted in 1651; aimed at rival Dutch shippers who were active in the American trade. 3. Basic provisions of Navigation Laws passed in 17th and 18th centuries: a. Restricted commerce to and from the colonies to English or American vessels. b. Certain "enumerated" articles like tobacco couldn’t be shipped to any other foreign market except England, despite higher prices in other markets. c. All European goods going to America had to go through England first. d. Certain restrictions on colonial manufactures for export: British did not want manufacturing competition with the Colonies. -- Forbade exportation of woolen cloth produced in America. -- Beaver hats prohibited from exportation --Encouraged colonists to produce pig and bar iron, but not build any new steel furnaces, slitting mills, or plating forges. e. Molasses Act (1733) -- Imposed heavy duties on all molasses, rum and sugar imported form French Caribbean. i. Colonists traded heavily with the French West Indies ii. Some of the rum produced in America was traded for slaves -- New England merchants heavily involved in the slave trade C. Positive results of British Mercantilism 1. Until 1763, Navigation Laws did not adversely impact the colonial economy. 2. Colonials had rights of Englishmen and opportunities for selfgovernment 3. Colonies had British military protection free of charge 4. Colonies greatly profited from manufacturing and trading. D. Negative impact of mercantilism 1. Colonial manufacturing was hindered by British policies. 2. Southern colonies suffered as export prices dropped due to "enumeration." -- Virginia especially affected; poor economic conditions resulted in unrest 3. New England resented favorable British policies toward Southern colonies (who produced tobacco, sugar and rice). 4. Writs of Assistance a. Search warrants by British customs officers harassed colonial shipping. b. Aimed to reduce colonial smuggling (e.g. illegal triangular trade.) c. 1761, James Otis, a young Boston lawyer, demanded Parliament repeal the acts. i. Parliament refused but Otis’ efforts gained press throughout the colonies. ii. Later, Otis wrote famous words "no taxation without representation." E. End of "salutary neglect" 1. The year 1763 marked a new era in relations between England and the colonies. a. George Grenville new Prime Minister, sought to enforce Navigation Acts. -- Americans particularly angry about increased authority of Admiralty Courts hat could now try smugglers, tax evaders, ship owners, and others accused of violating commercial restrictions; no trial by jury; located in Nova Scotia. b. British debt from the Seven Years' War was enormous i. Half the debt due to protection of the colonies ii. British thought colonists should pay 1/3 of maintaining a garrison of 10,000 British soldiers to protect against Indian uprisings. 2. King George III a. Extremely stubborn and surrounded himself with successive governments of inexperienced, inward-looking, narrow-minded men. -- Five different prime ministers during the 1st 10 years of his reign. b. Sought to exercise increased control over the colonies. c. 50 years of Whig power was about to give way to a conservative government dominated by the king beginning in 1762. 3. Proclamation of 1763 a. Prohibited colonials to move west of the Appalachians b. British aim: Settle land disputes with Indians fairly to prevent future uprisinghs like Pontiac's Rebellion. c. Colonials infuriated i. Many veterans had fought in the war and felt betrayed ii. Land speculators believed Americans should have access to lands. d. Colonists generally ignored the Proclamation 4. Currency Act (1764) a. British restricted colonial printing of paper money -- Wanted colonists to pay back debts and taxes with hard currency. b. Trade deficit between England & America hurt the colonies i. Most gold & silver flowed to England from colonies since the colonies imported more than they exported. ii. Lack of gold meant lack of hard cash; bartering increased 5. Sugar Acts passed in 1764 (updated version of Molasses Act of 1733) a. First act ever passed specifically that raised revenue for the crown. b. Aimed to regulate the illegal triangular trade by collecting duties that the colonists had not paid for many years. c. Reduced taxes on molasses but taxed all molasses, not just molasses from French West Indies. d. Not enforced effectively; duties eventually lowered after Stamp Act crisis. 6. Quartering Act, 1765: Certain colonies required to provide food & quarters for British troops. III. Three great crises in the colonies led to the American Revolution: Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, & Tea Act A. The Stamp Act of 1765 -- Perhaps the single most important event leading to the American Revolution 1. Purpose: Raise revenues to support the new military force in the colonies 2. Provisions: a. Official stamps on paper would serve as proof of payment. b. Tax applied to published materials and legal documents e.g., pamphlets, newspapers, diplomas, bills of lading, marriage certificates, death certificates, mortgages, insurance policies, liquor licenses, & playing cards. c. Both Sugar Act and Stamp Act provided for trying offenders in admiralty courts where juries were not allowed -- Burden of proof on defendants; were assumed guilty unless proved innocent. 3. Grenville’s' view a. Stamp Act was reasonable and just b. Only required colonials to pay their fair share for colonial defense c. Stamp Act in Britain had been much heavier and in effect for 2 generations. 4. Virginia Resolves (led by Patrick Henry) a. VA leaders believed Stamp Act attacked colonial's rights as Englishmen b. 5 of Henry’s 7 resolutions adopted by the House of Burgesses including non-importation. c. Claimed that Virginia could only be taxed by Virginians. -- "No taxation w/o representation" d. Assemblies of 8 other colonies passed resolutions similar to Virginia’s. 5. Colonist views distinguished between "legislation" and "taxation" a. Legislation, "external taxes," the right of Parliament regarding the empire; e.g. customs duties (tariffs) b. Taxation, "internal taxes," exclusive right of local representative gov't. -- British taxation was robbery; attacking sacred rights of property c. Grenville’s response: colonies had "virtual representation" in Parliament -- All British subjects were represented, even those who did not vote for members in Parliament. d. Colonists dismissed "virtual representation" i. "No taxation w/o representation" ii. Did not really want "direct representation" (actual representation) -- Would mean increased taxes (as in Britain) -- Increased responsibilities to the crown -- Colonial reps. would be heavily outnumbered in Parliament 6. Stamp Act Congress (1765) -- brought together 27 delegates from 9 colonies a. Massachusetts invited colonies who adopted Virginia Resolves to meet. b. Drew up a statement of their rights and grievances and demanded that the king and Parliament rescind the Stamp Act. c. Largely ignored in England; of little consequence in the colonies d. Significance: Brought together reps from different & rival colonies and set a precedent for future resistance to British rule. -- Helped break down sectional suspicions within the colonies. e. Non-importation agreements against British goods. -- England economy suffered from non-importation but nonimportation was not decisive in reversing Parliament’s decision 7. Sons of Liberty led by Samuel Adams violently enforced no importation agreements against violators; (tarring & feathering was one painful tactic). a. Houses of pro-Brisith officials were vandalized, theft occurred, and the warehouse where stamps were stored was destroyed. b. All stamp act agents were forced to resign; no one risked selling stamps. 8. Stamp Act repealed in 1766 a. Lord Rockingham saw the Stamp Act as a possible cause of civil crisis and encouraged British merchants to write Parliament to rescind the tax. b. Parliament passed the Declaratory Act at the same time i. Purpose was partly to save face ii. Claimed that Parliament had the right to tax colonies in the future. c. Sugar Act tax lowered significantly B. Townshend Acts (1767) 1. Charles Townshend took control of Parliament and sought to punish the colonies for the Stamp Act uprising. 2. Provisions: a. Small import duty placed on glass, white lead, paper, paint, silk and tea. -- Tax was an indirect customs duty ("external tax") b. Revenues from taxes to pay salaries of royal governors and judges c. Established a commission and vice-admiralty courts for enforcement. -- Royal judges would be allowed to grant "writs of assistance" in private homes, shops or warehouses. 3. Colonial reaction a. Colonies angrily interpreted the act as an inappropriate tax to raise revenue b. John Dickinson, Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania i. Challenged distinction between "internal" and "external" taxes. ii. Denied right to levy taxes for purpose of revenue. iii. Prompted the Massachusetts Circular Letter 4. Massachusetts Circular Letter (Feb. 1768) a. Massachusetts legislature, urged by Sam Adams and James Otis, supported Dickinson's arguments and called for other colonies to pass petitions calling for Parliament to repeal the acts. b. In response, Lord Hillsborough, sent troops to Boston and threatened to dissolve Massachusetts' legislature if the letter not retracted. -- Other colonies that voted for the circular would be dissolved. c. Some colonies reenacted previous nonimportation agreements -- British exports to America fell 40% over the next few months. d. Several colonial legislatures dissolved as they supported Massachusetts: MA, MD, VA, DE, SC 5. Boston "Massacre", 1770 a. (Peaceful) Arrival of troops in Boston aroused American resistance -- Colonials fearful of standing armies; believed Britain sought to suppress colonial liberties. b. March 5, 1770 British soldiers (having been provoked) fired on a crowd i. Eleven civilians killed or wounded ii. Crispus Attucks, a mulatto merchant seaman, the "first to die in the revolution," and alleged leader of the unruly mob. iii. Word of the "massacre" spread throughout the colonies (esp. by Sons of Liberty) iv. Colonial propaganda grossly exaggerated the event. 6. Townshend Acts repealed a. Lord North, bowing to pressure, got Parliament to repeal the act in 1770. i. Nonimportation agreements were pinching British manufacturers ii. Three-pence tax on tea remained to demonstrate Parliament's right to tax. -- Taxed tea still cost less than smuggled tea. b. Half the troops in Boston removed. c. Until 1773, relations improved after Townshend Acts were repealed. 7. Gaspee Incident (1771) one of only a few incidents between 17701773 to cause conflict a. British warship "Gaspee" ran aground near in RI, pursuing smugglers. -- Ship was notorious for extorting smaller vessels and allowing men to steal cattle and cut fruit trees on local farms for firewood. b. Sons of Liberty members, dressed as Indians, took crew off the ship and set it on fire; the commander was wounded c. "Gaspee" Commission was created by Lord Hillsborough to seek retribution but could not find the guilty parties; would have sent them to England for trial. 8. Committees of Correspondence, 1772-73 a. Some colonial discontent continued as British redoubled efforts to enforce the Navigation Laws. b. Samuel Adams used propaganda to whip up colonial resentment c. Adams organized local committees of correspondence in Mass., Nov.1772. d. Chief function was to spread propaganda and info. by interchanging letters in order to keep opposition to British policy alive. e. In particular, letters from the British gov't incl. those of Gov. Hutchinson showed that Britain was acting on Hutchinson's advice and wishes. f. Intercolonial committees of correspondence emerged g. Intercolonial groups evolved directly into the first American congresses. C. The Tea Act Crisis and the First Continental Congress 1. Tea Act (1773) a. British gov't granted British East India Company a monopoly of the American tea trade. i. BEIC on the verge of bankruptcy which would have cost the British government huge revenues. ii. Price of tea would be even lower than existing prices, even with the tax. b. Americans reacted angrily: saw Tea Act as an attempt to trick colonies into accepting the tax through cheaper tea. 2. Boston Tea Party, Dec. 16, 1773 -- Sons of Liberty, dressed as Indians, boarded three ships, smashed 342 chests open, and dumped the tea into the harbor. 3. "Intolerable Acts" (Coercive Acts) a. 1774, Parliament passed the "Repressive Acts" designed to punish Boston b. Boston Port Act -- harbor remained closed until damages were paid and law and order restored. c. Massachusetts charter revoked i. King had power to appoint the Governor's Council, not the assembly ii. Forbade town meetings except for election of town officials. d. Enforcing officials who killed colonists could now be tried in England instead of the colonies (thereby avoiding colonial justice). e. Quartering Act: Provided for the quartering of troops once again in Boston. 4. Quebec Act -- coincidentally accompanied "Intolerable Acts"; not intended to punish the colonies a. French in Canada were guaranteed right to practice Catholicism. b. Quebec territory was extended down to the Ohio river, next to NY & PA c. French allowed to keep old customs and institutions which did not include a representative assembly or trial by jury in civil cases. d. The act was actually an enlightened extension of British freedoms. e. Colonial reaction: -- Viewed act as insidious attempt to create a new French Canadian and Indian threa in the Ohio Valley region. -- Anti-Catholic sentiment arose; seen as an attack on Protestantism 5. The First Continental Congress, 1774 a. In response to "Intolerable Acts," the committees of correspondence urged the colonies to act quickly. b. Bostonians agreed to end all trade with Great Britain and invited other colonies to join the resistance. c. First Continental Congress deliberated from Sept. 5 to Oct. 26, 1774 i. 12 of 13 colonies present (except Georgia) ii. Delegates included S.Adams, J. Adams, G. Washington, & Patrick Henry. d. 1st Step: endorse several resolutions known as the Suffolk Resolves. i. Denounced "Intolerable" Acts ii. Urged colonies to organize militia for defensive purposes iii. Called on colonies to suspend all trade with rest of British empire iv. Urged citizens not to pay taxes. e. Rejection of Galloway Plan i. Joseph Galloway called for a colonial union required to approve all parliamentary laws affecting the colonies (like Franklin’s Albany Plan). ii. Most members far too conservative to endorse such a radical view f. Main purpose: Petition for redress of grievances (Declaration and Resolves) i. Gave colonists the legal right to assemble in order to seek redress. ii. "Bill of Rights": established structure for the Declaration of Independence (Preamble, list of grievances and mutual pledge) g. The Association: most significant action of the Congress -- Called for a complete boycott of British goods: nonimportation, nonexportation, and nonconsumption. h. Yet, Congress restated allegiance to the King -- No real desire to independent; merely wanted grievances redressed. i. King and Parliament did not respond to Declaration and Resolves. -- Would have recognized Congresses right as a legislative body. 6. Lexington and Concord, 1775 -- "The Shot Heard around the World" a. Parliament ordered General Gage, new Gov. of Massachusetts, to arrest leaders of the rebellion and prepare for military action. -- Gage sought to prevent bloodshed by disarming the local militia. b. April 1775, 700 British redcoats sent secretly to nearby Lexington & Concord to seize gunpowder and arrest Sam Adams & John Hancock. -- Paul Revere and William Dawes warned the militia (Minutemen). c. Battle of Lexington and Concord began when Minutemen refused to disperse on the Lexington Green and shots were fired. i. 8 Americans killed, 10 wounded. Who fired the first shot? ii. Redcoats continued on to Concord. 6 miles away. d. Concord -- British forced to retreat by American reinforcements i. Militia picked-off British soldiers as they retreated to Boston ii. By day’s end, 273 British casualties; 95 Americans casualties e. Minutemen encamped outside the city and lay siege to Boston. IV. British Strengths and Weaknesses during the American Revolution A. British Strengths 1. Population favored Britain: 7.5 million to 2.5 for the colonies. 2. Superior monetary advantage and best navy in the world 3. 20,000 slaves in Carolinas and Georgia joined British (only 5K for rebels) a. British promised slaves freedom if they fought on their side b. Many fled with the British after the war and left the country 4. Many Indians also sided with Britain and attacked Americans along the frontier -- British represented last hope for keeping land-hungry colonists out. 5. Britain possessed a 50,000 man professional army -- King George hired an additional 30,000 German "Hessians" as mercenaries. 6. British also enlisted about 50,000 loyalists B. Weaknesses 1. Enormous distance from England to the Colonies -- Communication was inefficient to meet the need for immediate action. 2. America too large a region for Britain’s army to effectively occupy; population was too dispersed 3. British generals in America were poor leaders a. Many British soldiers did not want to kill Americans, whom they saw as their countrymen. b. Provisions for the army were poor 4. Americans had only to tie in order to win; British had to win outright. 5. France was waiting for an opportunity to exact revenge 6. London gov't was ineffective; King George & Lord North inadequate -- Whig factions in Parliament cheered American victories at the outset V. American Strengths and Weaknesses A. Strengths 1. Outstanding leadership e.g., George Washington; Benjamin Franklin (diplomat) 2. Economic aid from France at the outset; later military aid was decisive. 3. Defensive military tactics worked to their advantage 4. Agriculturally self-sustaining 5. Colonials were competent marksmen; better than the redcoats 6. Moral advantage from belief in a just cause B. Weaknesses 1. Badly organized for the war and lacked unity from the beginning. a. Continental Congress was weak and ineffective b. Fought almost the entire war without a constitution 2. Jealousy among colonies a. Regarded themselves as sovereign -- Resisted Congress' to exercise its weak power b. Quarrels over the appointment of military leaders 3. Economic difficulties a. Little metal money i. Paper money printed to the point that it was worthless ii. Individual colonies had to later print paper money b. Soldiers deserted due to economic difficulties of their families c. Debtors paid their debts with seriously depreciated money. 4. Military challenges a. Military supplies were inadequate esp. firearms and gunpowder b. Militiamen highly unreliable 5. Morale in the Revolutionary army undermined by greedy American profiteers a. Sold goods to British for payment in gold b. Speculators forced prices sky-high c. Boston merchants made profits of 50-200% while soldiers were dying. 6. Only a select minority of Americans truly committed themselves to the cause. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: 1775-1783 I. Second Continental Congress -- May 10, 1775 A. All 13 colonies present -- delegates still not interested in independence but rather redressing of grievances (conservative position). B. Most significant act of Congress: Selected George Washington to head of the Continental Army. -- Selection largely political – Northerners wanted to bring Virginia into the war. C. Declaration of the Causes & Necessity of Taking Up Arms (written by Jefferson & Dickinson) 1. Drafted 2nd set of appeals to the king and British people for redress of American grievances. 2. Seen as intermediate step towards the Declaration of Independence -- (Declaration & Resolves from 1st Continental Congress was earlier step.) 3. Adopted measures to raise money and to create an army and a navy. D. Olive Branch Petition (written largely by John Dickinson) 1. Last ditch effort by moderates in the Continental Congress to prevent an all-out war. 2. Once again, pledged loyalty to the crown; sought to restore peace 3. Appealed to George III to intercede with Parliament to reconsider the “Intolerable Acts” 4. King refused to recognize Congress; the war raged on II. Early Battles A. Ticonderoga and Crown Point -- May 1775 1. Tiny forces under Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys of Vermont & Benedict Arnold of Connecticut surprised & captured Br. garrisons. B. Bunker Hill – June 17, 1775 1. Colonials seized Breed's Hill -- commanded a strong position overlooking Boston. 2. Over 1,000 oncoming redcoats in ill-conceived frontal assault were mowed down by 1,500 American sharpshooters. -- Americans had 140 killed and 441 wounded. 3. Americans ran out of gunpowder and were forced to abandon the hill in disorder. 4. Viewed as an American victory due to the heavy losses suffered by Britain. 5. Bloodiest battle of the War for Independence 6. British Army left Boston to conduct the war from New York. C. Following Bunker Hill, King proclaimed the colonies in rebellion (Aug. 23, 1775). 1. This was tantamount to a declaration of war against the colonies.. 2. 18,000 Hessians (German mercenary soldiers) hired by King to support British forces -- Americans shocked that king would hire soldiers reputed for their brutality; Colonials saw the war as a family conflict. D. Americans failed to successfully invade Canada in Oct. 1775 -- Yet, invasion postponed large British offensive which eventually contributed to the American victory at Saratoga. IV. Declaration of Independence, 1776 A. Most Americans did not desire independence; proud to be British citizens B. Reasons for shift of loyalty 1. Hiring of Hessians 2. Burning of Falmouth & Norfolk by the British 3. Governor of Virginia promised freedom to slaves who would fight for Britain. -- Impact: persuaded many southern elite to join New England in the war effort. C. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (published early 1776) 1. Became an instant best-seller in the colonies; effective propaganda 2. Main ideas: a. Britain's colonial policies were inconsistent; independence was the only course b. Nowhere in the physical universe did a smaller heavenly body control a larger one. Why should tiny England control huge North America? c. King was nothing more than the "Royal Brute of Great Britain." d. America had a sacred mission; moral obligation to the world to set up an independent, democratic republic, untainted by association with corrupt monarchical Britain. 3. Persuaded Congress to go all the way for independence a. Could not hope for aid from France unless they declared independence b. France not interested in colonial reconstruction under Britain D. June 7, 1776, Philadelphia Congress, Richard Henry Lee proposed independence. 1. "These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states..." 2. Motion was adopted on July 2, 1776 3. Yet, formal explanation was needed to rally resistance at home and invite foreign nations to aid the American cause, especially France. E. Congress appointed Committee on Independence to prepare an appropriate statement shortly after Lee's speech. 1. Task given to a committee that chose Thomas Jefferson. --Other members: B. Franklin, J. Adams, Roger Sherman, & Robert Livingston 2. Some debate and amendment had preceded its adoption especially slavery clause which was heavily modified with some portions being excised. a. Jefferson had blamed England for continuing the slave trade despite colonial wishes (despite his owning slaves). b. Yet, southerners in particular still favored slavery and dismissed the clause. 3. Declaration not addressed to England; U.S. didn't expect a response from the king. 4. Declaration of Independence formally approved on July 4, 1776 F. Declaration of Independence had three major parts: 1. Preamble (heavily influenced by John Locke) a. Stated the rights of colonists to break away if natural rights were not protected: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (property) b. Stated "all men are created equal" 2. List of 27 grievances of the colonies (seen by Congress as most important part) a. Underwent the most changes from the original draft -- 24 changes b. Charged King with imposing taxes w/o colonials' consent, eliminating trial by jury, military dictatorship, maintaining standing armies in peacetime, cutting off trade, burning towns, hiring mercenaries, & inciting Indian violence. 3. Formal declaration of independence a. Officially broke ties with England b. "United States" officially an independent country G. Result: Foreign aid could now be successfully solicited V. Patriots & Loyalists A. John Adams claimed that 1/3 of colonists were Patriots, 1/3 were Loyalists and 1/3 were neutral. This number is difficult to verify but is useful anyway. B. Loyalists ("Tories") = about 20% of the American people 1. Colonists who fought for return to colonial rule; loyal to the king. 2. Usually conservative: educated and wealthy; fearful of “mob rule.” 3. Included the older generation; younger generation was more revolutionary 4. Included king's officers and other beneficiaries of the crown 5. Included the Anglican clergy and a large portion of their followers; most numerous of the loyalists (except in Virginia) 6. Influential in aristocratic NY, Charleston, PA, and NJ. 7. Least numerous in New England 8. Ineffective at gaining allegiance of neutral colonists C. Patriots 1. Sometimes called "whigs" (named after British opposition party) 2. American rebels who fought both British soldiers and loyalists 3. Most numerous in New England 4. Constituted a minority movement 5. More adept at gaining support from colonials 6. Financing: Robert Morris, “the financier of the Revolution” helped Congress finance the war. D. About 80,000 Loyalists fled the colonies. 1. Loyalists regarded by Patriots as traitors. 2. Their estates were confiscated and sold; these funds helped finance the war 3. 50,000 fought for the British VIII. The War in 1776-1777: Britain changed its focus to the mid-Atlantic states A. Battle of Long Island (Summer & Fall 1776) 1. Washington’s army escaped from Long Island to Manhattan and then NJ. 2. British lost a great opportunity to crush the Americans early. B. Battle of Trenton (Dec. 1776) 1. Washington crossed the ice-clogged Delaware River on Dec. 26, 1776 2. At Trenton, surprised and captured about 1,000 Hessians who were sleeping off their Christmas partying. 2. Both sides bound themselves to wage war until the US won its freedom or until both agreed to terms with Britain. 3. Many Americans reluctantly accepted the treaty. a. France a strong Roman Catholic country b. Hitherto a traditional enemy of Britain for centuries. D. Battle of Saratoga (most important battle of the American Revolution). 1. British sought to capture New York and sever New England from the U.S. 2. Benedict Arnold saved New England by slowing down British invasion of New York 3. General Burgoyne surrendered entire command at Saratoga on Oct. 17, 1777 to American General Horatio Gates. 4. Saratoga one of history's most decisive battles a. Made possible French aid which ultimately ensured American independence. b. Spanish and Dutch eventually entered; England faced with world war. c. Saratoga revived the faltering colonial cause E. The Revolution turned into a world war that stretched Britain’s resources. 1. Spain and Holland entered in 1779. 2. Catherine the Great of Russia organized the League of Armed Neutrality -- Lined up almost all remaining European neutrals in an attitude of passive hostility toward England as a result of England disturbing Baltic shipping. 3. War raged in Europe, N.A., South America, the Caribbean, and Asia. XI. Land Frontier & Sea Frontier A. West raged throughout most of the war 1. Indian allies of Britain attacked American frontier positions 2. 1777 known as "the Bloody Year" on the frontier -- Joseph Brant (“Monster Brant”), Mohawk Chief, and leader of the Iroquois Six Nations, led Indian raids in western PA and NY. -- Forced to sign Treaty of Ft. Stanwyk -- 1st treaty bet. U.S. & Indians. -- Indians lost most of their lands. B. Illinois country taken from the British 1. George Rogers Clark, a frontiersman, seized several British ports along the Ohio River: Kaskaskia, Cahokia (St. Louis), and Vincennes, Indiana. 2. Helped quiet Indian involvement 3. His supporters 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. E. Washington retired to Valley Forge for winter of 1777-78 1. Supplies were scarce: food, clothing 2. Army whipped into shape by the Prussian drillmaster Baron von Steuben. 3. Episode demonstrated American resolve despite horrible conditions. C. The American Navy 1. John Paul Jones most famous American naval leader (Scottish born) 2. Chief contribution was destroying British merchant shipping and carrying war into the waters around the British Isles. 3. Did not affect Britain's navy F. Benedict Arnold becomes a traitor, 1780 -- tremendous blow to American morale 1. Arnold frustrated with his treatment by his superiors despite his heroic service 2. Persuaded Washington to make him head of West Point 3. Plotted with the British to sell out the key stronghold of West Point commanding the Hudson River 4. Plot failed after it was accidentally discovered by Washington D. 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. C. Battle of Princeton (Jan. 1777) 1. One week later, Washington defeated a smaller British force at Princeton 2. British forced to pull his outposts back to New York 3. Trenton and Princeton was a gamble by Washington to achieve quick victories to revive the disintegrating Continental Army. IX. Articles of Confederation adopted in 1777 (Drafted by John Dickinson) A. Set up by 2nd Continental Congress in order to create a lasting government. B. Did not go into effect until 1781. C. First constitution in U.S. history; lasted until 1789 when Constitution adopted D. Congress had power to: conduct war, handle foreign relations & secure loans, borrow money. E. No power to: regulate trade, conscript troops, levy taxes. X. France Becomes an Ally of the U.S. A. French eager to exact revenge on the British for the French & Indian War. 1. Saw Revolutionary war as an opportunity. 2. British America were England's most valuable colonies. B. Secret supply to the Americans 1. France initially worried that open aid to America might provoke British attacks on French interests.. 2. Americans Silas Deane and Benjamin Franklin arranged for significant amounts of munitions and military supplies to be shipped to America. -- Helped forge the Franco-American Alliance. 3. Marquis de Lafayette significant in helping U.S. get financial aid from France. C. Declaration of Independence was a turning point for French aid 1. Showed Americans meant business 2. Victory at Saratoga displayed an excellent chance for defeating England D. Franco-American Alliance, 1778: France offers U.S. a treaty of alliance. 1. Promised Americans recognition of independence. E. Major naval battles between British, French, & other European powers 1. Mostly in the West Indies 2. British overcome by French, Spanish and Dutch. -- War continued until 1785 when British won last battle near India. XII. In 1778, Britain again changed its strategy: focused on former Southern Colonies A. Savannah, Georgia taken in late 1778-early 1779 B. Charleston, SC, fell in 1780 (4th largest city in America) 1. Devastating loss to American war-effort 2. Heavier loss to the Americans than Saratoga was to the British C. Nathanael Greene succeeded in clearing Georgia and S.C. of most British troops -- Cornwallis forced to abandon the Southern strategy; fell back to Chesapeake Bay at Yorktown D. Battle of Yorktown: last major battle of the war 1. French Admiral de Grasse, head of powerful fleet in W. Indies, blockaded Chesapeake Bay; British ships unable to enter. 2. Washington made 300-mile+ march to Chesapeake Bay from NY. 3. Accompanied by Rochambeau's French army, Washington attacked British by land while de Grasse blockaded them by sea.. 4. Oct. 19, 1781, General Cornwallis surrendered entire force of 7,000 men 5. War continued one more year (especially in the South) XIII. Peace at Paris A. British ready to come to terms after losses in India, West Indies, & Mediterranean 1. Lord North's ministry collapsed in 1782; George III lost influence in Parliament 2. New Whig ministry (more sympathetic to Americans) replaced the Tory regime. B. French attempted to create a weak U.S. 1. U.S. diplomats Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay sent by Congress to make no separate peace without consulting the French.. a. They ignored these orders as they were highly suspicious of France & Spain. b. John Jay believed France wanted to keep US border east of the Allegheny mountains and give western territories to its ally, Spain, for its help in the war. 2. U.S. turned to Great Britain a. Britain eager to separate U.S. from the Franco-American Alliance. b. Preliminary Treaty signed in 1782 C. Treaty of Paris of 1783: Britain formally recognized US independence 1. Granted US huge boundaries stretching to the Mississippi in the west, the Great Lakes in the north, and to Spanish Florida in the south a. Americans allowed to retain a share in the valuable Newfoundland fisheries. b. British promised troops would not take slaves from America. 2. American concessions: a. Loyalists could not be further persecuted b. Congress was to recommend to state legislatures that confiscated Loyalist property be restored c. American states were bound to pay back debts to British creditors. d. U.S. did not comply with many of these concessions and it became partial cause of the War of 1812 against Britain.. 3. France approved the British-American terms (officially, no separate Franco-American peace) 4. America alone gained from the war a. Britain lost colonies and other territories b. France became bankrupt which helped spark the French Revolution. c. Spain gained little XIV. American society during the war A. Over 250,000 American soldiers fought -- 10% who fought died; largest % of any American war in history B. British occupied most major cities, e.g. Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. C. War Economy: all of society became involved in the war. 1. State and national governments created. 2. Men with military experience volunteered for positions in the army. 3. Some merchants loaned money to the army and to Congress. Others made fortunes from wartime contracts. 4. Most of the fighting was done by the poorest Americans -- Young city laborers, farm boys, indentured servants, and sometimes slaves. 5. African Americans fought on both sides. -- 5,000 in the Continental army and nearly 30,000 in the British army in return for promises of freedom. 6. Native Americas also fought with the British since they hoped to keep land-hungry Americans out of their territories. -- Bitter feelings remained long after the war ended. D. Women in the War 1. Women managed farms and businesses while men served in the army 2. Other women traveled with the Army as cooks and nurses. 3. Women more politically active and expressed thoughts more freely. Memory Aid for Events Leading up to the Revolution: Pretty Silly Tammy Baked Tea Cookies Inside Freshly Layered Spicy Dough Proclamation of 1763 Stamp Act, 1765 Townshend Acts, 1767 Boston Massacre, 1770 Tea Act, 1773 Committees of Correspondence “Intolerable Acts,” 1774 First Continental Congress Lexington and Concord Second Continental Congress Declaration of Independence