The American Revolution

Chapter 4

The Revolution BeginsThe First Continental CongressThe First Continental Congress- Many colonists felt that the closing of Many colonists felt that the closing of

the Boston Harbor was the final insult the Boston Harbor was the final insult in a long list of abuses.in a long list of abuses.

- All the colonies except Georgia sent representatives to a meeting in October 1774.

- This gathering of colonial leaders who were deeply disturbed about the relationship between Great Britain and the colonies was called the First Continental CongressFirst Continental Congress

- Weeks of intense took place in Philadelphia. Some delegates believed violence was unavoidable, while others wanted to seek peace with the British.

-The First Continental CongressFirst Continental Congress did not seek a separation with Britain.

-It’s goal was to state the colonists’ concerns’ It’s goal was to state the colonists’ concerns’ and ask the king to correct the problems.and ask the king to correct the problems.

-However, they did agree to meet again in 1775 if the king refused their petition.

-The Declaration of Rights was a list of 10 The Declaration of Rights was a list of 10 resolutions to be presented to King George resolutions to be presented to King George III, include the colonists’ right to “life, liberty, III, include the colonists’ right to “life, liberty, and property”.and property”.

-Patrick HenryPatrick Henry, the delegate from Virginia said:

“They tell us, Sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable and adversary. But when will we be stronger? Gentleman may cry, Peace,

Peace – but there is no peace. I know no what course I know no what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”give me death.”

-Many colonists began to agree with Henry. These colonists became known as PatriotsPatriots.

Patrick Henry                               •Born May 29, 1736 in Hanover County, Virginia •Protested British tyranny •Symbol of American struggle for liberty•Served in the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress •Five-term governor of Virginia •Delivered the famous "Give me liberty or give me death!" speech. •Died June 6, 1799 at Red Hill Plantation, Virginia

Shot Heard ‘round the World- Massachusetts governor Massachusetts governor Thomas Gage Thomas Gage

learned that a stockpile of weaponslearned that a stockpile of weapons was was stored in Concord and decided to seize the stored in Concord and decided to seize the supplies.supplies.

- In In reactionreaction to the arrival of the British, Paul to the arrival of the British, Paul Revere enlisted the help of Robert Revere enlisted the help of Robert Newman, who would look out from Old Newman, who would look out from Old North Church.North Church.

- When Revere and a fellow Patriot saw two lights shine, they set off to sound the alert that the “British are coming!”

- The local militia, or The local militia, or Minutemen, got their name Minutemen, got their name because they could fight at a because they could fight at a minute’s notice.minute’s notice.

- The British soldiers were The British soldiers were called Redcoats because of called Redcoats because of their bright red jackets.their bright red jackets.

• The first shot was fired at the Battle of The first shot was fired at the Battle of Lexington Lexington while soldiers were in route to Concord to seize the weapons. (It is still disputed as to which side fired first)

• The Revolution had begun.The Revolution had begun.

 

The Second Continental Congress- Because King George the III refused to - Because King George the III refused to address the concerns listed on the address the concerns listed on the Declaration of Rights; this led to the Declaration of Rights; this led to the Second Continental Congress in Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, May 1775.Philadelphia, May 1775.- The delegates were still not unified, but represented the first attempt at a republican government for the colonies.

The Continental ArmyThe Continental Army• The Massachusetts militia took a bold step The Massachusetts militia took a bold step

and became the and became the Continental Army Continental Army at theat the Second Continental CongressSecond Continental Congress, which eventually included soldiers from all colonies and would carry out the fight against Britain.

• George WashingtonGeorge Washington, formerly a British , formerly a British officer during the French and Indian War, officer during the French and Indian War, now a Virginian representative at the now a Virginian representative at the Continental Congresses and the Continental Congresses and the commander of the commander of the Continental ArmyContinental Army..

British Army• Charles Cornwallis Charles Cornwallis was Commander of the

British Army.• British soldiers are also called Red Coats.

Early Battles• In 1775 at the Battle of Bunker Hill the Battle of Bunker Hill

(Breed’s Hill) the officer of the militia, (Breed’s Hill) the officer of the militia, General Prescott, General Prescott, ordered troops not to ordered troops not to shoot until “you see the whites of their shoot until “you see the whites of their eyes,” to preserve ammunitioneyes,” to preserve ammunition.

• It took the British 4 charges to finally force the Patriots to retreat.

• The Patriots lost the battle, but they The Patriots lost the battle, but they showed that they could take on the showed that they could take on the Redcoats.Redcoats.

Dorchester Heights- Colonel Henry KnoxColonel Henry Knox successfully brought

heavy cannons and weapons over 300 miles of rough terrain in the middle of winter to General Washington’s troops.

- - The transport of these weapons resulted in British General Howe’s British General Howe’s retreat..

- The birthplace of the rebellion was now in Patriot hands.

Paine’s Common SenseCommon Sense- Common Sense Common Sense was a 47 page pamphlet

written by Thomas Thomas PainePaine that argued against that argued against Britain ruling over America. The pamphlet Britain ruling over America. The pamphlet argued that citizens should make laws not argued that citizens should make laws not kings and queens.kings and queens.

- The pamphlet made a strong case for The pamphlet made a strong case for economic freedom and for the right to military economic freedom and for the right to military self-defense.self-defense.

- Common SenseCommon Sense was anonymously published because freedom of speech was not granted yet; Paine did not want to get into trouble.

Independence is Declared- In June 1776 the Second Continental Congress Second Continental Congress

met to declare the colonies’ independence. - They created the They created the Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence, ,

whichwhich broke the colonies from Britain’s rule. broke the colonies from Britain’s rule.- Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson , the main author of the , the main author of the

Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence argued the people’s argued the people’s undeniable right to “life , liberty, and the pursuit of undeniable right to “life , liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”happiness.”

- Jefferson accused the king of passing unfair laws and interfering with the colonial governments.

- On July 4th, 1776 the Continental On July 4th, 1776 the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. Independence.

- This is when the United States of This is when the United States of America is born.America is born.

Choosing Sides- Two sides emerged after the Declaration of

Independence:– Colonists who were on the British Side were Colonists who were on the British Side were

called called LoyalistsLoyalists and/or Tories. and/or Tories. – People called People called PatriotsPatriots supported supported

independenceindependence.

- Because of persecution 50,000 Loyalists fled the colonies and went to Canada. Divided allegiances tore friends and families apart.

Unfinished Business- The Declaration of Independence is

considered to have left people out because it did not include women, Africans, and Native Americans. (“All men were created equal”)

- Abigail Adams Abigail Adams urged her husband to urged her husband to “Remember the ladies...” and was an early “Remember the ladies...” and was an early activist for women’s rights.activist for women’s rights.

The Struggle for LibertySupporting the War Effort- George Washington’s chief task as the

Continental Army’s commander in chief was to raise troops.

- The typical soldier was usually under the age of 16.

- Continental Army – 230,000 soldier served in war- Local militias – 145,000- Keeping enough soldiers in the army was a

challenge because the army offered low pay, harsh conditions, and a chance of becoming a casualty.

- Many African Americans fought because Many African Americans fought because they were promised freedom. they were promised freedom.

- Washington actually banned African Americans from serving initially. However, the British began to offer them freedom for service so the Continental Army began to allow them to serve as well..

• The most famous woman to fight in the war, Mary Ludwig HaysMary Ludwig Hays, was often referred to as Molly Molly PitcherPitcher because she gave water to the troops. She even operated cannons when her husband was injured!

Defeats and Victories- While some PatriotsPatriots favored fighting a defensive

war, many wanted to invade British-controlled Canada and make it the 14th colony.

-Under command of Benedict Arnold, Patriot forces -Under command of Benedict Arnold, Patriot forces entered Montreal and Quebec in 1775.entered Montreal and Quebec in 1775.

- Benedict Arnold Benedict Arnold joined forces with General joined forces with General Montgomery’s troops; they tried to defeat the Montgomery’s troops; they tried to defeat the British during a fierce blizzard and were quickly British during a fierce blizzard and were quickly defeated. The Patriots gave up hope of taking defeated. The Patriots gave up hope of taking Canada.Canada.

- The Patriots were defeated early on in Quebec, The Patriots were defeated early on in Quebec, Canada, and New YorkCanada, and New York.

Benedict Arnold

- During the fighting in New York, Nathan Nathan HaleHale was seized by the British while trying to get some secret information. He was executed by hanging and is remembered for saying, “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

- MercenariesMercenaries were foreign soldiers who were foreign soldiers who fought for pay – hired by the British. They fought for pay – hired by the British. They were Hessians from Germany.were Hessians from Germany.

• Battle of Trenton Battle of Trenton 1776 in NJ- British Gen. British Gen. Charles Cornwallis vs. Patriot Gen. Charles Cornwallis vs. Patriot Gen. WashingtonWashington. Patriots defeated the Patriots defeated the Hessians because they crossed the Hessians because they crossed the Delaware on Christmas Night and surprised Delaware on Christmas Night and surprised the Redcoats while they were sleeping.the Redcoats while they were sleeping.

- The Battle of Trenton was huge success! More More PatriotsPatriots wanted to join the war effort. wanted to join the war effort.

- A few days after Trenton, Washington marched northeast and defeated British British General Charles CornwallisGeneral Charles Cornwallis at Princeton.

• The Battle of Saratoga (1777 New York) The Battle of Saratoga (1777 New York) was the turning point of the Revolutionary was the turning point of the Revolutionary War. War. It was the biggest victory yet for the Patriots. British General BurgoyneBritish General Burgoyne found found himself surrounded and had to surrender himself surrounded and had to surrender his entire army to Patriot General his entire army to Patriot General Horatio Horatio GatesGates. Burgoyne’s strategystrategy had not worked.

Help From Europe- The French and Spanish had lost large The French and Spanish had lost large

amounts of land to the British. They were amounts of land to the British. They were eager to help the colonists after Saratoga.eager to help the colonists after Saratoga.

- A wealthy young Frenchman, A wealthy young Frenchman, Marquis de Marquis de Lafayette,Lafayette, brought well-trained soldiers and brought well-trained soldiers and volunteers to serve without pay in the volunteers to serve without pay in the Continental Army.Continental Army.

- LafayetteLafayette would become a skillful commander, would become a skillful commander, give $200,000 of his own money to support the give $200,000 of his own money to support the war effort, and wrote home to encourage friends war effort, and wrote home to encourage friends and family to send aid for the Patriot cause.and family to send aid for the Patriot cause.

- Another European, Baron Friedrich von Steuben, an experienced military officer from Prussia, also contributed to the Patriot cause. He started training American troops and turned the Continental Army into a finely tuned fighting force.

Help From FranceHelp From France- Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin went to France to ask for support

from King Louis XVI. After ratifying a treaty between the two, the French aided the Americans the French aided the Americans by providing supplies and ammunition.by providing supplies and ammunition.

- Later, France even provided ships and soldiers to Later, France even provided ships and soldiers to aid the Patriots. Their navy would prove to be key aid the Patriots. Their navy would prove to be key in defeating the Redcoats!in defeating the Redcoats!

Help From SpanishHelp From Spanish- Bernardo de GalvezBernardo de Galvez, the governor of Spanish , the governor of Spanish

Louisiana, became a key ally to the Patriots. He Louisiana, became a key ally to the Patriots. He and his troops seized British posts all the way to and his troops seized British posts all the way to Pensacola, Florida.Pensacola, Florida.

Winter at Valley ForgeWinter at Valley Forge-Washington settled about 12,000 men at Valley Forge in Dec.1777 and they suffered shortages of food and clothing.-There was no funding for supplies so the soldiers suffered.- That winter, 2,000 men died of - That winter, 2,000 men died of disease and malnutrition. disease and malnutrition. -The survivors drilled and marched to the orders of Baron Von Steuben.

John Paul JonesJohn Paul Jones- John Paul Jones was a naval hero (once an John Paul Jones was a naval hero (once an

outlaw!) responsible for much of the Patriot outlaw!) responsible for much of the Patriot success at sea.success at sea.

- Captured British supply ships even a Captured British supply ships even a famous victory over the British warship famous victory over the British warship SerapisSerapis

War in the West- The lands west of the Appalachian

Mountains were controlled by American Indians.

- Both the British and the Patriots wanted support from the Indians. The British were more successful at winning over the Native Americans. However, George Rogers George Rogers ClarkClark and his efforts in the west undermined British support from the Indians.

- Clark and his forces marched for 18 days - Clark and his forces marched for 18 days through freezing water to take Fort through freezing water to take Fort Sackville in the town of VincennesSackville in the town of Vincennes..

IndependenceWar in the South

- The British turned their attention toward the South. They hoped the large amounts of loyalists there would prove to be helpful.

- They also planned to free slaves and enlist them as British soldiers.

- The British destroyed crops, farm animals, and other The British destroyed crops, farm animals, and other property as they marched through the Southproperty as they marched through the South.

- Banestre Tarleton, a British officerBanestre Tarleton, a British officer, sowed (spread) fear throughout the South by refusing to take prisoners and killing anyone who tried to surrender.

- Charleston and South Caroline were Charleston and South Caroline were Britain’s greatest victories in the South.Britain’s greatest victories in the South.

- They captured 4 patriot ships and 5,400 prisoners.

- Guerilla Warfare was often used by Guerilla Warfare was often used by Southern Patriots. This was a swift hit-and Southern Patriots. This was a swift hit-and run- technique type of surprise attack.run- technique type of surprise attack.

- Marion’sMarion’s Brigade was a group of guerrilla Brigade was a group of guerrilla soldiers. Because no British soldiers were soldiers. Because no British soldiers were able to catch able to catch Francis Marion Francis Marion he became he became known as the known as the “Swamp Fox”“Swamp Fox”.

Battle of Yorktown (Va. 1781)- The Patriots, led by Nathaniel GreeneNathaniel Greene, harasses

British troops, led by Charles CornwallisCharles Cornwallis in the Carolinas.

- Cornwallis moved his troops to Yorktown and Cornwallis moved his troops to Yorktown and a French naval fleet seized control of a French naval fleet seized control of Chesapeake Bay, preventing British ships Chesapeake Bay, preventing British ships from rescuing Cornwallis’s stranded army. from rescuing Cornwallis’s stranded army. Cornwallis Surrendered!Cornwallis Surrendered!

- After a siege of Yorktown, the Patriots won the After a siege of Yorktown, the Patriots won the Battle of Yorktown, the last major battle of the Battle of Yorktown, the last major battle of the American Revolution.American Revolution.

- The Patriots took 8,000 British troops prisoner!!

The Treaty of Paris (1783)-Great Britain recognized the -Great Britain recognized the independence of the United independence of the United States.States.-It set America’s borders.-It set America’s borders.-A separate treaty between Britain and Spain returned Florida to the Spanish.