American Revolution

“The shot heard round the world.”

F/I War 1750

Claims in the New World

Manufactured GoodsManufactured Goods

•Furniture•Clothing•Colonials hadnot factories.

From England to Colonies

Trade

Enumerated GoodsEnumerated Goods•Lumber•Tobacco•Rice•Indigo•Furs

To Englandfrom Colonies

Created to benefit Englandrestricted Colonial trade = but Colonists smuggle

Mercantilism

And

Triangle Trade

Northwest Territory

French and Indian War1754 - 1763

Let’s take a quiz!1. What two groups

fought against what other two groups in this war?

2. What was it called in Europe?

3. In what area of North America did it primarily occur?

4. Who won?5. Why did this cause

a change in policy towards the colonies?

Northwest Territory

Indian Attacks Indian Attacks force British to force British to build forts to build forts to

protect settlers protect settlers moving westwardmoving westward

What act mandated the colonists were not to move west of the mountains?

•Colonial pioneers such as Daniel Boone, defied the Colonial pioneers such as Daniel Boone, defied the Proclamation of 1763Proclamation of 1763 and and crossed the Appalachians and settled areas in what would become Kentucky.crossed the Appalachians and settled areas in what would become Kentucky.

•The belief that the land westward was sacred land, fought and died for and that it was their birthrightbirthright….It belonged to them.

•The “American DreamAmerican Dream” could be found out west led many colonists to defy the Proclamation of 1763 and cross the Appalachians.

British land policy to British land policy to temporarily keep the temporarily keep the

colonists out of Indian colonists out of Indian land until treaties land until treaties

could be negotiated could be negotiated with the tribes.with the tribes.

Proclamation of 1763

England’s Problems / Solutions

England’s problems after war Debt Indian conflicts------

Pontiac’s Rebellion

Pass a series of tax laws and have the Colonists help pay back the debt.

Pass a law restricting Colonists from moving westward into and settling the Northwest Territory.

Keep British troops in North America to stop Indian attacks and protect the Colonies.

Stop the smuggling of Colonials by enforcing the Navigation Acts with a series of unrestricted search warrants.

General causes of the Revolution

Mercantilism / Taxation Quartering British Troops Imbued with spirit of self-

independence of frontier life

Impact of the French and Indian War

“Once vigorous measures appear to be the only means left of

bringing the Americans to a due submission to the mother country,

the colonies will submit.”

•King of England. King of England.

•Instrumental in ending the Instrumental in ending the French and Indian War in 1763. French and Indian War in 1763.

•Strong supporter of taxing the Strong supporter of taxing the colonies to pay for the debt. colonies to pay for the debt.

•He opposed any compromise He opposed any compromise with the colonial government in with the colonial government in America. America.

•After losing the colonies, he After losing the colonies, he withdrew his efforts at personal withdrew his efforts at personal government and went insane.government and went insane.

King George III

(1738-1820

If a politician wants to have power he needs votes of the people that elect him. He has to live among those people so he will not use his power to destroy them, Or, the people may in turn vote him out of power or worse destroy him.

Man’s nature is greedy. Therefore, he cannot be trusted with unchecked power.

Absolute power corrupts, absolutely.

Absolute power corrupts, absolutely

The 13 Colonies were The 13 Colonies were represented under the represented under the principle of principle of “virtual” “virtual” representation.representation.

It did not matter if the It did not matter if the Colonists did not elect Colonists did not elect members from each colony to members from each colony to represent them in the British represent them in the British Parliament.Parliament.

Not all citizens in Britain were Not all citizens in Britain were represented either.represented either.

The British Parliament The British Parliament pledged to represent every pledged to represent every person in Britain and the person in Britain and the empireempire

Americans resented “virtual” Americans resented “virtual” representation.representation.

Colonists Colonists governed governed themselvesthemselves since the early since the early settlerssettlers..

They had They had direct direct representationrepresentation by electing by electing colonial assembly members colonial assembly members to represent their interests.to represent their interests.

Colonists were not opposed Colonists were not opposed to paying taxes because the to paying taxes because the Colonies taxed their citizens.Colonies taxed their citizens.

If the British Parliament was If the British Parliament was to tax them, they should be to tax them, they should be able to elect a able to elect a representativerepresentative from their colony to represent from their colony to represent their interests in Parliament.their interests in Parliament.

Virtual RepresentationVirtual Representation Actual RepresentationActual RepresentationGreat Britain vs. the Colonies

George Grenville’s George Grenville’s Program, 1763-1765Program, 1763-1765George Grenville’s George Grenville’s

Program, 1763-1765Program, 1763-1765

Writs of Assistance – 1761Writs of Assistance – 1761 --unrestricted British search warrants to stop Colonial

smuggling…… Continued to smuggle

Proclamation Line – 1763Proclamation Line – 1763--Colonists were not allowed into the Northwest Territory -

Colonists defied order— American DreamAmerican Dream

Sugar Act – 1764Sugar Act – 1764

Currency Act – 1764Currency Act – 1764Quartering Act – 1765 Quartering Act – 1765 Colonists were to

house and feed British soldiers. Colonial resentment-why are soldiers here?

Stamp Act - 1765Stamp Act - 1765

Shift from paying taxes for Br. war Shift from paying taxes for Br. war debts & quartering of troops debts & quartering of troops paying col. govt. salaries. paying col. govt. salaries.

He diverted revenue collection He diverted revenue collection from from internal to external trade. internal to external trade.

Townshend ActsTownshend Acts, 1767, 1767------Another series of revenue measures which taxed items imported into the colonies, including paper, lead, tea, and paint.

Colonial outrage and boycotts Increase custom officials at Increase custom officials at American ports American ports established a established a Board of Customs in Boston. Board of Customs in Boston.

Townshend Duties Townshend Duties Crisis: 1767-1770Crisis: 1767-1770Townshend Duties Townshend Duties Crisis: 1767-1770Crisis: 1767-1770

Was it reasonable for Was it reasonable for England to pass laws such England to pass laws such

as these to control as these to control Colonial trade?Colonial trade?

It was difficult for Great Britain to enforce these

laws because of the distance.

Colonists broke the law Colonists broke the law and smuggled and traded and smuggled and traded

with other countries.with other countries.

If you have the power to tax, you have the power to take all their wealth from them.

If there is no check upon the people who posses the “power to tax” then they have the power to destroy.

Colonists wanted an “actual” representative elected from them to address their concerns to Parliament.

The Power to Tax is the Power to Destroy

•A direct tax which went to the British government.•Paid for debt and British troops in the Colonies.•Colonists hated the Stamp Tax = “taxation without representation”•British tax collectors were tarred and feathered…..•Stamp Act protests led by the Sons of Liberty…..

Tax on legal documents, playing cards, newspapers

Tea Act - East India Tea Act - East India CompanyCompany

--The Tea Act gave the East India Company a monopoly on the trade in tea. Made it illegal for the

colonies to buy non-British tea and forced the colonies to pay the tea tax of 3 cents/pound.

Stamp Act Protests: 1765 to 1766

•Between 1765 to 1766, the Sons of Liberty led over

40 protests up and down the colonial coastline.

•Most of the protests are located in the Middle

Colonies up through the New England Colonies.

•Successful in forcing the British Parliament to repeal

the Stamp Act.

Declaratory Act, 1766Declaratory Act, 1766declared Parliament had the power to tax the colonies both internally and externally, and had absolute power over the colonial legislatures. 

•Early settlers disliked England•America’s isolation and distance •Weakened England’s authority

•Produced rugged and independent people•Allowed Colonies to govern themselves

(made their own laws and taxes)•Produced a new civilization and culture

“American

•Early settlers disliked England•America’s isolation and distance •Weakened England’s authority

•Produced rugged and independent people•Allowed Colonies to govern themselves

(made their own laws and taxes)•Produced a new civilization and culture

“American

American Revolution

in Thought

1607-1763

"What a glorious morning for America!"

Samuel Adams, When the first

shots were fired at Concord and

Lexington, 1776

They define a republic to be a government of laws, and not of men.

John Adams, Nocangul No. 7, 1775

These are the times that try men’s souls.

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 his country: but he that stands it NOW deserves the love and thanks

of man and woman. Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily

conquered. Yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

- Thomas Paine

                         

    

                           

  

                    

      

“If our trade be taxed, why not our lands, or produce, in short, everything we possess? They

tax us without having legal representation.” Samuel Adams

•Sons of Liberty was a secret society formed in protest of British rule.

•9 original members which included the leaders Samuel Adams and Paul Revere

Samuel AdamsSamuel Adams

Paul Revere

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my

country.Nathan Hale, before being

hanged by the British, September 22, 1776

“If this be treason, make the most of it.”

Patrick Henry "The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, New Englanders are no more. I AM NOT A VIRGINIAN, BUT AN AMERICAN!"

"I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."

 "They tell us Sir, that we are weak -- unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature has placed in our power."

"Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of Nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us."

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Convention, 1775

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Convention, 1775

Abigail Adams

The son of a farmer, John Adams’s last public statement, “Independence Forever,” summarizes his immense contributions to the founding of the United States of America.

Called the Atlas of Independence, Adams was a force that led us toward the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Revolution in Action1763 to 1789

Revolution in Action1763 to 1789

Different Styles of Warfare

“Strategy of Attrition” British long lines of

communication British Continental issues British popular support vs

length war

American Strategy Partisan Warfare Local militias Tactics

American Strategy

Background Population 1/3 rebel, 1/3 loyalist, and 1/3 indifferent

Initially simple defensive plan

Oppose the Brits at every point and hold the Hudson

Eventual Tactics adopted by Washington

Avoid open battle; survival of Army was key

Boycotts: Colonists refused to trade or buy British goods until Stamp Act was repealed.

Protests: Led by the Sons of Liberty up and down the colonies from 1765 to 1766.

Committees of Correspondence: Colonies kept in contact with one another and described British actions through letters exchanged by carriers on horseback.

 "The battle, Sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the

vigilant, the active, the brave.

Besides, Sir, we have no election. If we were base

enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the

contest.

There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our

chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the

plains of Boston!

The war is inevitable; and let it come! I repeat, Sir, let it come!“

-- Patrick Henry

Costs of Colonial ResistanceCosts of Colonial ResistanceCosts of Colonial ResistanceCosts of Colonial Resistance

John John Dickinson Dickinson 1768 1768** Letters Letters

from a from a Farmer inFarmer in PennsylvanPennsylvaniaia..

With a good deal of surprise I have observed that little notice With a good deal of surprise I have observed that little notice has been taken of an act of Parliament, as injurious in its has been taken of an act of Parliament, as injurious in its principle to the liberties of these colonies as the Stamp Act was: principle to the liberties of these colonies as the Stamp Act was: I mean the act for suspending the legislation of New York. I mean the act for suspending the legislation of New York.

The assembly of that government complied with a former act of The assembly of that government complied with a former act of Parliament, requiring certain provisions to be made for the Parliament, requiring certain provisions to be made for the troops in America, in every particular, I think, except the articles troops in America, in every particular, I think, except the articles of salt, pepper, and vinegar. In my opinion they acted of salt, pepper, and vinegar. In my opinion they acted imprudently, considering all circumstances, in not complying so imprudently, considering all circumstances, in not complying so far as would have given satisfaction as several colonies did. far as would have given satisfaction as several colonies did.

But my dislike of their conduct in that instance has not blinded But my dislike of their conduct in that instance has not blinded me so much that I cannot plainly perceive that they have been me so much that I cannot plainly perceive that they have been punished in a manner pernicious to American freedom and punished in a manner pernicious to American freedom and justly alarming to all the colonies.justly alarming to all the colonies.

Colonial Response to the Townshend Colonial Response to the Townshend DutiesDuties

Colonial Response to the Townshend Colonial Response to the Townshend DutiesDuties

The people of Boston resented the British soldiers and considered them a foreign presence.

1770

Soldiers Arrive in Boston to maintain order and enforce taxes.

“First to die, first to defy” In 1770, Crispus Attucks,

a black man, became the first casualty of the American Revolution when he was shot and killed in what became known as the Boston Massacre.

Although Attucks was credited as the leader and instigator of the event, debate raged for over as century as to whether he was a hero and a patriot, or a rabble-rousing villain.

Bad Feelings Left Over from a Previous Fight?

Attucks' was a seaman. He felt the ever-present

danger of impressments into the British navy.

He had to compete for work with British troops, who often took part-time jobs during their off-duty hours and worked for lower wages.

A fight between Boston ropemakers and three British soldiers on Friday, March 2, 1770 set the stage for a later confrontation.

Tensions Escalate

That following Monday night, tensions escalated when a soldier entered a pub to look for work, and instead found a group of angry seamen that included Attucks.

Taunting the guards with snowballs

That evening a group of about thirty, described by John Adams as "a motley rabble of saucy boys, negroes and molattoes, Irish teagues and outlandish jack tarrs," began taunting the guard at the custom house with snowballs, sticks and insults.

Seven other redcoats came to the lone soldier's rescue, and Attucks was one of five men killed when they opened fire.

Called the Boston

Massacre

Patriots, pamphleteers and propagandists dubbed the event the "Boston Massacre."

Its victims became instant martyrs and symbols of liberty.

Despite laws and customs regulating the burial of blacks, Attucks was buried in the cemetery along with the other honored dead.

In the murder trial of the soldiers who fired the fatal shots, John Adams, serving as a lawyer for the crown, reviled the "mad behavior" of Attucks, "whose very looks was enough to terrify any person."

The relationship between the Colonies and England would never improve

Tea Act, East India CompanyTea Act, East India Company•Made it illegal for the colonies to buy non-British tea

and forced the colonies to pay the tea tax of 3 cents/pound.

•The Colonists had to buy tea from the East India Tea Company----gave them a monopolymonopoly

•Colonists claimed it was “taxation without “taxation without representation”representation”

•Sons of LibertySons of Liberty protested against the Tea ActTea Act in Dec. 1773 by dumping 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor

Boston Tea Party

Exports & Imports:

1768-1783

The Intolerable Act closed the port of Boston from Colonial

trade and placed

Massachusetts under martial

law.

What was the British Response?

                        

  

•Moderates argue with Radicals whether or not to go to war.Moderates argue with Radicals whether or not to go to war.

•Representatives send a document Representatives send a document “Declaration of Rights and “Declaration of Rights and Grievances”Grievances” in 1774 to King George and Parliament in 1774 to King George and Parliament

•In the meantime, Congress ordered militias to prepare for war.In the meantime, Congress ordered militias to prepare for war.

•Colonies send their Colonies send their representatives to representatives to

Philadelphia to form a Philadelphia to form a Congress in response to Congress in response to the Intolerable Acts in the Intolerable Acts in

17741774

•Main goal was to try Main goal was to try and negotiate with King and negotiate with King George and ParliamentGeorge and Parliament

First Continental Congress

•Colonial leaders met in Philadelphia, PA to discuss their options in response to the Intolerable Acts.•The decision was to negotiate with King George III and send him a declaration of their willingness to remain British.•BUT, they have grievances (problems) which they want the King and Parliament to address.•AND, they instructed the local militias in each town to begin preparing for war with the MINUTEMEN!

1770

Changes in British Troop Deployment

•After the Boston Tea Party the British send more troops to enforce the Intolerable Acts.

•Colonial militias prepare for war.

British Deployment

on the Eve of the Revolution

•British Captain Pitcarin orders Minutemen off the

green.

•Response by the Minutemen, “this is our

green”

•Controversy over who fired the first shot

•8 Americans killed

•British didn’t find any weapons and continued to

Concord

“Shot Heard Round the World”

Therefore, England felt Therefore, England felt that a that a major major

reorganization of her reorganization of her American EmpireAmerican Empire was was

necessary!necessary!

Effects of the War on Effects of the War on Britain?Britain?

Effects of the War on Effects of the War on Britain?Britain? 1. It increased her

colonial empire in the Americas.

2. It greatly enlarged England’s debt.

3. Britain’s contempt for the colonials created bitter feelings.

Effects of the War on Effects of the War on the American the American

ColonialsColonials

Effects of the War on Effects of the War on the American the American

ColonialsColonials 1. It united them against a common enemy for the first time.

2. It created a socializing experience for all the colonials who participated

3. It created bitter feelings towards the British that would only intensify.

King George declares colonies “in rebellion”

•Sends troops called Hessians. Who were they?•2nd Continental Congress---May 10, 1775

•Organized the first Continental Army•Appointed George Washington as General

Why were they willing to fight for King George?

“Beards on their upper lips?”

“The British are coming!”

April 14, 1775 - Massachusetts Governor Gage is secretly ordered by the British to suppress "open rebellion" among colonists by using all necessary force.

April 18, 1775 - General Gage orders 700 British soldiers to Concord to destroy the colonists' weapons depot.

That night, Paul Revere and William Dawes are sent from Boston to warn colonists. Revere reaches Lexington about midnight and warns Sam Adams and John Hancock who are hiding out there.

                        

  

•Organized first American army called the Continental Organized first American army called the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as our Army and appointed George Washington as our

Commanding General.Commanding General.

•Willing to stay part of the empire but King must Willing to stay part of the empire but King must “redress our grievances”“redress our grievances”

•Congress prepares for war…….Congress prepares for war…….

•Came together again Came together again after the battles of after the battles of

Lexington and Concord, Lexington and Concord, May 10, 1775.May 10, 1775.

Second Continental Congress

Comparing Sides in the Revolutionary War

Commander-in-chief of Colonial Army?

•2nd Continental Congress based their decision on the following:•Political•Economic•Military•Social

George Washington John Hancock

George Washington was chosen based on his qualifications.

Washington’s HeadachesWashington’s Headaches

Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral].

State/colony loyalties.

Congress couldn’t tax to

raise money for the Continental Army.

Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben.

Valley Forge Washington set up camp at

Valley Forge, 20 miles to the west of the British.

Washington and his troops endured a winter of terrible suffering, lacking decent food, clothing, and shelter

Washington’s greatest challenge at Valley Forge was keeping the Continental Army together

The Darkest Hour of the Revolution

Most of the men at Valley Forge lacked blankets, shoes and shirts

Soldiers made moccasins out of scraps of cowhide. Many men deserted, or left without permission, and

some officers resigned Volunteers -including Washington’s wife, Martha,

made clothes for the troops and cared for the sick In April, 1778 Washington told his troops of the

Patriots’ alliance with France, raising their spirits greatly.

A week before Christmas '77 Washington's army took up winter quarters at Valley Forge on the west side of the Schuylkill. Although the General's choice of location was sharply criticized, the site he had selected was central and easily defended. Then came a cruel race with time to get huts erected before the soldiers, barefoot and half naked, froze to death. Hundreds of horses did in fact starve to death, and for the army starvation was a mortal danger. "No meat, no meat!" was the constant wail. Improvements came about after Nathanael Greene assumed the duties of Quartermaster General on March 23rd.

Yet, despite the ever-present fear of mutiny, no real dissaffection occurred. As Hessian Major Baurmeister conceded, the army was kept from disintegrating by the "spirit of liberty." Men and officers accepted their tragic plight with a sense of humor and extraordinary forbearance, but it was an ordeal that no army could be expected to undergo for long. Nathanael Greene wrote to General Washington, "God grant we may never be brought to such a wretched condition again."                                                                                                          - The Spirit of 'Seventy Six

Guerilla tactics [fight an insurgent war you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down]

The The AmericansAmericans

The BritishThe British

1777, separate and control New England.

Break the colonies in half by getting between the North and South.

Battle of Saratoga

Phase IPhase I:: The Northern The Northern CampaignCampaign[1775-1776][1775-1776]

Bunker Hill (June, 1775)Bunker Hill (June, 1775)

The British suffered over 40% casualties.

Phase IIPhase II::

NY & PANY & PA[1777-1778][1777-1778]

Washington Crossing the Washington Crossing the DelawareDelaware

Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851

Phase IIIPhase III:: The Southern The Southern Strategy Strategy [1780-1781][1780-1781]

British Strategy

Plan Occupy territory to break up union of patriots

Hold New York and Hudson Line Isolate New England

Chesapeake Bay Charleston and Santee River

Blockade the coast Destroy any organized army Suppress expected guerilla warfare Economic Warfare

British Strategy

After Saratoga: Look to safety of long ocean supply

line and protection of other overseas possessions

More ground forces available for European conflicts with both Spain and Holland

British forces had to occupy positions rather than pursue rebels

Transferred main effort to South

American Forces

Von Steuben Prussian officer under Frederick the

Great Served as Washington’s IG Responsible for standardization and

training Loading the musket Uniformity of equipment Adjusted American tactics - Speed and

Marksmanship Instilled discipline and respect in army

“Officially” joined the war after American success at Saratoga

Anxious to regain international position lost in the Seven Years’ War Monetary Loans American

privateers French fleet

Impact of the French

Failed to act with resolution and force

Inadequate forces Coastline blockade

impossible Uncertain about

OBJECTIVE Lack of UNITY OF

COMMAND Lord Germain directed

too much from England Lack of coordination

among British local commanders

England’s Failure John Burgoyne

Sir Henry Clinton

Gen Cornwallis

Thomas Gage

William Howe

John Paul Jones takes the fight to the British Isles His plan was to raid English coast in order to force the

Brits to use their force to defend the homeland. Succeeded in capturing many prizes and saying many

glorious things….

“I Have Not Yet Begun to Fight!!

Britain’s “Southern Britain’s “Southern Strategy”Strategy”

Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South.

Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving.

The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside [similar to U. S. failures in Vietnam!]

Count de Rochambeau

AdmiralDe Grasse

Battle of Yorktown

1781•British General

Charles Cornwallis wanted to winter his troops in the South believing the war

would be won in the Spring…..

•Yorktown was chosen because it

provided easy access to be reinforced and

re-supplied•General Washington learned of the British

decision to winter their main troops in

Yorktown.

Map-yorktown

Yorktown Strategy

•Strategy included the use of the French navy, French

troops and American troops.

•French navy under the direction of Admiral de

Grasse, placed a blockade around the Chesapeake

Bay.

•15,000 American and French troops surrounded 8,000 British troops……

•General Cornwallis is trapped and is forced to his

surrender his troops to Washington

•Brings war to an end

United States after the

Revolutionary War

Treaty of Paris, 1783•Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States•US acquired land from the Great Lakes to Florida and Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River.•British were to remove troops and forts from US Land.•US was to pay Loyalists for property.

USA

British Forts

Terms of the Treaty of Paris

Under the treaty, the United States Agreed the British

merchants could collect debts owed by Americans

Stated Congress would “earnestly recommend” to the states that property taken from Loyalists be returned to them.

Most of this property was never returned.

Treaty of Paris, continued

• Under the terms of the treaty, Great Britain…

– recognized the United States as an independent nation whose territory extended from the Atlantic Ocean west to the Mississippi River and from Canada in the north to Spanish Florida in the south.

– promised to withdraw their troops from the American territory.

– gave Americans the right to fish in the waters off the coast of Canada.

Treaty of Paris

USA