The American Revolution The Ideological, Military and Diplomatic aspects of the fight for Independence

1
The American RevolutionThe Ideological, Military
and Diplomatic aspects of the fight for
Independence
2
Standards

• SSUSH3 The student will explain the primary
  causes of the American Revolution.
• c. Explain the importance of Thomas Paines
  Common Sense to the movement for independence.
• SSUSH4 The student will identify the ideological,
  military, and diplomatic aspects of the American
  Revolution.
• a. Explain the language, organization, and
  intellectual sources of the Declaration of
  Independence include the writing of John Locke
  and Montesquieu, and the role of Thomas
  Jefferson.
• 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.
• 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.
• d. Explain Yorktown, the role of Lord Cornwallis,
  and the Treaty of Paris, 1783.

3
Thomas Paine authors Common Sense

• Published anonymously January 1776
• At that time, it had the largest circulation of
  any book in Am. History
• Presented the colonists with a powerful argument
  for ind. From Britain

4
Intellectual Sources of the Declaration of
Independence

• John Locke (left) and Charles Montesquieu

5
John Locke

• Lived in England during the height of the
  Enlightenment. (1632-1704)
• His Theory of Mind is often cited as the
  origins of the modern conceptions of identity and
  self.
• Most famous work Two Treatises of Government
  (Social Contract)
• In TToG he describes the state of nature and
  argues that all men are created equal by God.

6
(Charles) baron of Montesquieu

• Lived in France during Enlightenment (1689-1755)
• Extremely influential thinker in French history
  his ideas paved the way for French Revolution
• Most famous for his articulation of a Separation
  of Powers theory (executive, legislative,
  judicial)

7
Thomas Jefferson

• Principal author of the Declaration of
  Independence
• Influence heavily by Locke, Montesquieu and other
  Enlightenment thinkers
• Supporter of separation of church and state
• Slave owner from Virginia
• Plantation home (Monticello) on back of US
  nickel.

8
Preamble to Declaration of Independence

• We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
  men are created equal, that they are endowed by
  their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
  that among these are Life, Liberty and the
  pursuit of Happiness.

9
The French to the Rescue

• After the defeat of the French in the
  French/Indian War, England cont to fight France
  in Europe.
• Spain and the Netherlands also added assistance
  through funding and ammunition
• Most Indian tribes supported the British cause
  and were supplied by England to attack colonist
  using guerilla warfare.
• Americans, French, Spanish, and Dutch vs. British
  and Native Americans

10
Benjamin Franklin

• Quaker who helped establish PA as a power-house
  colony
• Noted Inventor (acquired hundreds of patents)
• Kite-flying w/ the Key
• Ambassador to France. Helped organize military
  assistance. (Model Treaty)

11
Look Familiar?

• Eye of Providence
• The eye of an all-seeing, omnipotent God
• Symbol of the Freemasons in which Franklin was a
  member.

12
Marquis de Lafayette

• French general who assisted America in the
  Revolution
• Money, supplies, troops, naval strength
• Served alongside General George Washington
• Influential in the defeat of Cornwallis at
  Yorktown

13
Statue of Lafayette in D.C.
14
Look Familiar?

• Fleur-de-lis
• Literally means Lily
• Staple on French flag until 1792 revolution
• Current logo of New Orleans Saints

15
George Washington

• Father of USA
• Gained military experience in the French/Indian
  War
• Chosen as commander in chief of Continental Army
  by 2nd Continental Congress.

16
Crossing the Delaware

• Leutze, 1851. What are the historical
  inaccuracies in this work?

17
Answers

• Washington could not have stood as such because
  of the harsh winter conditions. He would have
  fallen in the river.
• The crossing occurred at night.
• Stars and Stripes Flag was not in existence at
  this time.
• Why do you think these anachronisms are included
  in the work?

18
Life as a Common Soldier

• Life was extremely rough
• Harsh winter conditions
• Very little supplies and rations
• Army was still in infancy, not much unity at this
  time
• At left, Washington with troops at Valley Forge,
  PA

19
Washington as a War Hero

• Surprise crossing of the Delaware at night on
  Christmas Day took the British by surprise.
• Washington was then able to easily take the
  British stronghold of Yorktown, all but securing
  American victory.

20
Seige of Yorktown

• British General Cornwallis surrenders to French
  and American forces at Yorktown, VA October 1781.
• Fighting ended but war not officially over until
  Treaty of Paris in September 1783.

21
A gift from France

• Statue of Liberty
• In her hand, the book is entitled 1776 in Roman
  numerals
• Broken chains remain at her feet
• Ellis Island, New York City would welcome
  millions of immigrants to American shores