The American Revolution, 1775-1783

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The American Revolution, 1775-1783
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The Combatants
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• British Advantages
• Army of Regulars
• Top Navy
• 30,000 Hessians
• 50,000 American loyalists
• Money and supplies

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• American Advantages
• 3,000 miles of ocean
• Home Turf
• Fighting for independence
• Leadership
• Possible French assistance

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First Continental Congress

• Convened in Phil. in 74
• Statement of grievances to King
• Preparations for fighting
• Boycott
• Agreed to meet again in 75

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The Fighting Begins

• Lexington and Concord 75
• The shot heard round the world
• Unclear start to a revolution
• Approves Olive Branch Petition

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The Shot Heard Round the World
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Common Sense

• Published Jan.76
• Sold 100,000 copies in first four months
• Called for complete split from Britain and its
  constitution

Thomas Paine
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Declaration of Independence

• Written by Jefferson
• Formal break with the crown

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When in the Course of Human Events
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(No Transcript)
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Reactions to July 4
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Conducting the War States v. Central government

• Despite individual states vying for power,
  Congress given power to coordinate the war but
• State militias
• States volunteering money

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Phase I New England 75-76

• Bunker Hill British driven from Mass
• England wins but loses ½ its men
• British realize the scope of the revolution

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Phase II The Mid-Atlantic 76-78

• Trenton NJWashington attacks during winter with
  limited success
• Battle of Saratoga
• Turning point
• French have the confidence to support the
  Patriots with supplies

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New York City in Flames
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Washington Crossing the Delaware
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Phase IIIThe South

• Diplomatic recognition followed in 78
• Britains European wars expand
• French Navy arrives

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Phase III The South (cont.)

• Britain hoped to rely on Loyalists in the south
  for support
• Military commitment by Britain decreases
• Yorktown marks last major battle
• Cornwallis cornered between land and sea
• French-American army surround British

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The World Turnd Upside Down
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War and Economy

• Trade with Britain cut off
• No protection at sea
• Diversified by the 1780s
• New trading partners
• Formation of navy
• Some industry forms

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Imports/Exports
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Treaty of Paris of 1783

• US bordered by Mississippi, Canada, Atlantic, and
  Florida
• Diplomatic recog. by British
• British promise to evacuate Ohio Valley
• US promises to pay debts

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War and Society

• Loyalists harassed
• Left behind property and estates
• Many moved to Canada or Britain
• Native-Americans generally opposed the Rev.
• Mixed bag for African-Americans

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Toleration and Slavery

• Where it was not used, usually abolished
• SC and GA refused to halt slave trade
• Sep. of Church and State (Statute of Relig.
  Freedom by Thomas Jefferson of VA)

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Washington Resigns from the Army
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State Constitutions

• Guiding principle Do the opposite of Britain
• Republicanism
• CN RI simply changed their colonial charters
• Limited executive branch
• Most had bicameral legislatures
• Property req. for voting

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Articles of Confederation (81-89

• Fed. Govt consisted of a unicameral Congress (9
  out of 13 votes to pass a law)
• 13 out of 13 to amend
• Rep. frequently absent
• Could not tax or raise armies
• Northwest Ordinance a success
• Shays Rebellion shows weaknesses