Chapter 4: The American Colonies Declare Independence

Tensions between the colonists & Britain led to the colonists cutting ties to Britain.

•Taxation without representation

•Acts of Parliament (Sugar, Stamp, Tea, Townshend, Coercive . . .)

•Violence between colonists and British troops

The Final Insult!

• The 1774 Coercive (Intolerable) Acts closed Boston Harbor. (pp. 102-103)*meant to punish the colonists until the tea was paid for

*led to the First Continental Congress (1774)--representatives were sent from the colonies

--colonists were encouraged to continue boycotting British goods

--colonists were also told to prepare for war--drafted Declaration of Rights for King George III--goal was to seek corrections to problems, not

separation

Thinkquest.org

First Continental Congress

1774

History.org

“. . . give me liberty or give me death.”

Who is famous for these words? (p. 113)

Patrick Henry returned toVirginia after the Congressto encourage Virginians to

support the Patriot cause—Independence from Great Britain!

(In time, many agreed with Henry.)

History.org

“Sound the alert!”

Who rides there? (pp. 113-114)

Paul Revere’s Ride

Continental Congress planned to meet in 1775Local militias seemed to be preparing for actionBritish military in the colonies grew uneasy and

also prepared for actionPatriots prepared as well“one if by land; two if by sea” led to Revere’s

ride alerting minutemenFighting began at Lexington on April 19

The Revolution begins with fighting at Lexington, which ended in minutes.

“Don’t fire unless fired upon.” (Capt. John Parker)---A shot rang out, and the fighting began . . .

700British soldiers to 70 minutemen

British greatly outnumbered the minutemen and marched to Concord after the Battle of Lexington.

By the time the British arrived, most of the weapons had been hidden. Frustrated British soldiers set fire to buildings. Minutemen reacted by firing the “shot heard ‘round the world”, the start of the Revolution. Although many believe the “SHRtheW” was at Lexington, the phrase is from a poem by

Ralph Waldo Emerson about the Battle of Concord.

“Shot Heard ‘round the World”

Was the shot really heard ‘round the world?

historyofmassachusetts.org

North Bridge, Concord

Say “No” to King George III

• Refused to address concerns in declaration of rights (inc. life, liberty & property)

• Resulted in Second Continental Congress (May 1775)

*Some called for war; others for peace

*Compromised by setting up the Continental Army as defense, with George Washington as commander

*Continued to pursue peace: Olive Branch Petition

--King George didn’t even read it; he seemed to enjoy punishing the colonists, but, as king, his main concern, of course, was for Britain.

War for Independence: The Early Battles

• Lexington (British 1/Patriots 0)• Concord (British 1/Patriots 1)• Bunker Hill (British 2/Patriots 1)—tragic victory for British, but

Patriots proved they could take on the “Redcoats”. – Troops ordered not to fire ”until you see the whites of their

eyes” because Patriots were low on gunpowder.• Dorchester Heights (British 2/Patriots 2)—The Patriots took

Boston! Yay!– British retreated because “the rebels have done more in one

night than my whole army could do in months”. (British General Howe)

Then What?Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (published anonymously) led many colonists to support independence; supported the idea that citizens should make the laws, not kings & queens—that’s a bold idea!

In 1776, a committee of the Second Continental Congress wrote a document formally declaring the colonies’ break from Great Britain—Do you smell INDEPENDENCE?”

Signing the Declaration of Independence

Writers--John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin,

Charles Thomson, John Hancock

“. . .We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all . . .”

The Declaration of Independence

formally announced the colonists’ break from Great Britain

main author was Thomas Jefferson included “unalienable rights” (God-given rights) listed the ways King George III had violated the colonists’

rightsmade a statement that the colonists had a right to break

from Britain

approved by the CC on July 4, 1776, which resulted in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

p.122-125

“all men are created equal . . .”

• The Declaration of Independence excluded many colonists (no minority rights):– no mention of women (p.120—Mrs. Adams’ quote)– no mention of enslaved Africans (p. 121)– no mention of Native Americans (p. 121)

REALLY?

• WHY?

• Culture and tradition were against giving rights to minority groups (why should they have rights—they never have????)

• Minority groups couldn’t send delegates to the Continental Congress (so why bother; they weren’t important enough?)

Choosing sides

• Traitors -- colonists who supported the Declaration of Independence.

• Loyalists (Tories)-- colonists who chose to side with the British.

Signing of the Declaration made the rebellion a full-scale revolt! But, to achieve the goal of

independence, the colonists would have to win the war against the British army!

Supporting the War Effort

Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, George Washington, had to raise troops.

• More than 230,000 in Army/143,000 in local militias

• Typical soldier was under the legal age of 16 with little money/property

• Army offered low pay and harsh conditions, but Patriots were fighting for their homes & freedom!

• Eventually allowed African Americans to serve (after the British promised them freedom if they served with them).

Supporting the War Effort (cont.)

Women were also important to the war cause.

--ran farms and businesses

--raised money for supplies

--made clothing

--served as messengers, nurses, spies

--some even fought (Molly Pitcher/ Deborah Sampson)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvzNktsuXTk&feature=em-share_video_user

Defeats & Victories

• New Jersey became the convincing victory needed, which led to more Americans joining the Patriot efforts (Christmas ‘76—Washington Crossing the Delaware)

• Saratoga (Oct ‘77) was the turning point in the Revolutionary War—entire army they were fighting surrendered!

• Tried to take Quebec to make it a 14th colony (Nov ’75)

• Series of battles forced Patriots from New York (Je ‘76)

(Nathan Hale: “I regret I have but one life to lose for my country.” p. 128—see video clip)

(Benedict Arnold: served with distinction & honor during these two battles & previously, but became a traitor in 1778)

Valley Forge

• Continental Army’s settlement-Winter ‘77-’78• no battles took place• suffering and courage—quotes, p. 132

harsh winter weather lack of supplies inadequate shelter lack of clothing little food illness

• Soldiers still showed contentment & remained ready

And the war goes on . . .

War in the West•Lands west of the Appalachian Mountains were controlled by Indian nations.

•Both sides tried to enlist the Native Americans, but the British were more successful in winning them over in the West. Why?

•Continental Army’s leadership undermined the British support in the West

War at Sea•Continental Navy was small (less than 100 ships), but effective.

--John Paul Jones

•British failed to use their navy effectively.

FINALLY!War in the South

Support for British from southern LoyalistsBritish used freed slaves as soldiersparticularly brutalpitted Loyalists against Patriots in direct combatBritish used total war (destroyed crops, property, etc.)British took much of South, Philadelphia & New York City by 1781 & Arnold turned traitorPatriots turned to guerilla warfare (hit and run, surprise attacks)

Battle of YorktownBritish Cornwallis moved troops to Virginia after being harassed by Patriots in CarolinasFrench helped Patriots by land and by seaLasted weeks, before Washington prepared for a major attackOctober 1781, Cornwallis surrendered; Patriots took 8000 British prisoners (largest British army in America)Last major battle of the American Revolution

Treaty of Paris of 1783

• Great Britain entered into peace talks after Yorktown (1781).

--had no money for new army

• Ben Franklin played a key role.

• Great Britain recognized independence of the United States

• America’s borders were set

Treaty of Paris of 1783

• Great Britain entered into peace talks after Yorktown.

• Took 2 years after Yorktown

• Benjamin Franklin played a key role.

• Independence of US was recognized by GB.

• set America’s borders

TREATY OF PARIS OF 1783

The Finale

• Patriot soldiers returned to homes and families.

• George Washington, proud of the courage of his soldiers thanked his troops, “I . . . wish that your latter days be as prosperous as your former ones have been glorious.”

John Trumbull, 1792