CHAPTER SIX

The American Revolution

Recall: Declaration Common Sense

Republicanism Self-govt.

RESISTANCE

PLAYERS

“Whigs” Americans Mortality % 350K eligible, 200K soldiers

PATRIOTS

20% of Americans Fought for British, fled America Benedict Arnold

LOYALISTS

Local militia Minutemen

Professional Continental Army

SOLDIERS

15 miles/day, 60 lbs. Little provisions Death

Disease instead of battle

Primitive medical care Discipline

Whip, beat

SOLDIERS

Most illiterate Gambling, drinking popular Camaraderie, loyalty

SOLDIERS

Run farms, businesses Military camps

Wives, girlfriends Prostitutes

Few in battle

WOMEN

British: recruit slaves 5K fought for Americans Arming Blacks

AFRICAN-AMERICANS

Most neutral Fought with British Few with Americans

NATIVES

TALE OF THE TAPE

AMERICANS “Home field” advantage The “cause” Leadership: Washington

BRITISH Military Global power Loyalists

Protect civilians “Guerrilla” tactics Prolong war

AMERICAN STRATEGY

European powers join Americans Cautious Naval battles

French vs. British

Instrumental in success, esp. French

FRENCH AND SPANISH

Several stages North to south Initial British victories Americans survived

WAR

First U.S. constitution Independent states. Limited central powers

The Articles of Confederation

U.S. Independence British troops leave To Mississippi River Fishing rights in N.E.

INDEPENDENCE

Virginia: freedoms Important for later Const.

1776, New Jersey: women’s suffrage States abolished

inheritance customs

Declaration of Rights

50K left South Others fought for independence Contradictions of slavery

Northern states: abolish slavery

Emerging free African-American communities

African Americans and the Revolution

Prominent during war New role: nurture wise, virtuous, public-

spirited men

WOMEN

NATIVES

Disaster No voice in postwar negotiations Floodgates open to white settlers

NATIVES