American Stories:American Stories:A History of the United States

Second Edition

Chapter

American Stories: A History of the United States, Second EditionBrands • Breen • Williams • Gross

The American RevolutionFrom Elite Protest to Popular Revolt1763–1783

5

The Patten family farmstead in Bedford, New The Patten family farmstead in Bedford, New Hampshire Hampshire Scots-Irish immigrants and others on Scots-Irish immigrants and others on the colonial frontier in the 1770s, worked to keep the colonial frontier in the 1770s, worked to keep their farms running and struggled to live normal their farms running and struggled to live normal lives even as Revolution engulfed the country.lives even as Revolution engulfed the country.

The American RevolutionThe American Revolution1763–17831763–1783

• Structure of Colonial Society• Eroding the Bonds of Empire• Steps Toward Independence• Fighting for Independence

Moment of Decision: Moment of Decision: Commitment and SacrificeCommitment and Sacrifice

• Few Americans welcomed idea of colonial war

• Would’ve been safer, cheaper to accede to British demands

• Ordinary militiamen fought, risked death

• The ordeal gave new meaning to social equality

Structure of Colonial SocietyStructure of Colonial Society

Structure of Colonial SocietyStructure of Colonial Society

• 1760s an optimistic post-war period• Striking ethnic and racial diversity• 60% of population under twenty-one

years old• Relatively high per-capita GDP

Structure of Colonial Structure of Colonial Society (cont’d)Society (cont’d)

• Wealth unevenly distributed South has richest individuals, and 90%

of non-free colonial population Middle colonies New England lags behind because of lack

of export products

Breakdown of Political Trust Breakdown of Political Trust

• 1760—George III ascends throne Despite limited ability, wants to take more

active role in government Upsets Whigs by ignoring their role High turnover among top ministers

Breakdown of Political Breakdown of Political Trust (cont’d) Trust (cont’d)

• Hard for Parliament to get adequate information on colonies

• Parliamentary sovereignty English officials assume that Parliament

must have ultimate authority

Political Cartoons Political Cartoons Cartoons became a popular Cartoons became a popular way of criticizing government during this period. way of criticizing government during this period. Here, King George III watches as the kilted Lord Here, King George III watches as the kilted Lord Bute slaughters the goose America. A cabinet Bute slaughters the goose America. A cabinet

member holds a basket of golden eggs at rear. At member holds a basket of golden eggs at rear. At front left, a dog urinates on a map of British front left, a dog urinates on a map of British

America.America.

No Taxation without Representation: No Taxation without Representation: The American PerspectiveThe American Perspective

• Colonists try to reserve internal colonial authority for their own legislatures

• Colonists assume their legislatures equal in some ways to Parliament

No Taxation without Representation: No Taxation without Representation: The American Perspective (cont’d)The American Perspective (cont’d)

• Americans not represented at all in Parliament

• British officials espouse “virtual representation”

• Colonists insist only colonial assemblies should represent Americans

Justifying ResistanceJustifying Resistance

• John Locke and “Commonwealthmen" shape colonial political thought Rebellion against arbitrary government

justified

• Power must be countered by virtue

Justifying Resistance (cont’d)Justifying Resistance (cont’d)

• Bad government reflects sin and corruption

• Colonists see British officials as sinful and corrupt

• Newspapers ensure wide dissemination of political confrontations

Eroding the Bonds of Empire Eroding the Bonds of Empire

Eroding the Bonds of Empire Eroding the Bonds of Empire

• Large, expensive debt and army left in America from Seven Years’ War

• Colonists doubt the army’s value• Pontiac’s Rebellion

Eroding the Bonds of Eroding the Bonds of Empire (cont’d) Empire (cont’d)

• Exposes the British army’s weakness Frontier racism: Paxton Boys

• Colonists determined to settle trans-Appalachian West

• Proclamation of 1763 bans settlement in trans-Appalachian West

Paying Off the National DebtPaying Off the National Debt

• Prime Minister George Grenville attempts to reduce England’s war debt

• Revenue Act of 1764 (the Sugar Act)• Merchants and gentry protest; most

colonists ignore

The Protest Spreads The Protest Spreads

• 1765—Stamp Act requires that colonists purchase stamps to validate documents

• Patrick Henry and the Virginia Resolves, unites the gentry and the mass of the population in protest

The Protest Spreads (cont’d) The Protest Spreads (cont’d)

• Stamp Act Congress petitions the king and Parliament for repeal

• Sons of Liberty protest includes riots, mob violence, and boycotts; Stamp Act repealed

Map 5.1 Map 5.1 Colonial Products and Trade Colonial Products and Trade Although the American colonists produced many Although the American colonists produced many agricultural staples that were valuable to Britain, agricultural staples that were valuable to Britain,

they were dependent on British manufactures such they were dependent on British manufactures such as cloth, metal goods, and ceramics.as cloth, metal goods, and ceramics.

Fueling the CrisisFueling the Crisis

• 1767—Charles Townshend creates Townshend Revenue Acts—tax American imports of paper, lead, glass, and tea

• American Board of Customs Commissioners created to collect duties

Fueling the Crisis (cont’d)Fueling the Crisis (cont’d)

• Quartering Act, 1765—required colonists to house British troops

• Sons of Liberty organized boycotts of British goods

Daughters of Liberty Daughters of Liberty The boycott movement The boycott movement drew many colonial women into popular politics. In drew many colonial women into popular politics. In

this 1774 woodcut, a Daughter of Liberty stands this 1774 woodcut, a Daughter of Liberty stands ready to resist British oppression.ready to resist British oppression.

Surge of ForceSurge of Force

• English government moves 4000 troops to Boston

• March 5, 1770—English soldiers fire on civilian crowd, kill five Americans— “Boston Massacre”

• Paul Revere’s engraving of massacre is best seller

The Boston MassacreThe Boston Massacre

• The Boston Massacre—This etching by Paul Revere shows British red-coats firing on ordinary citizens, an event know as the Boston Massacre. In subsequent editions, the blood spurting from the dying Americans became more conspicuous.

The Boston Massacre The Boston Massacre This etching by Paul This etching by Paul Revere shows British redcoats firing on ordinary Revere shows British redcoats firing on ordinary

citizens, an event know as the Boston Massacre. In citizens, an event know as the Boston Massacre. In subsequent editions, the blood spurting from the subsequent editions, the blood spurting from the

dying Americans became more conspicuous.dying Americans became more conspicuous.

The Final Provocation: The Final Provocation: The Boston Tea PartyThe Boston Tea Party

• 1773—Parliament passes Tea Act Designed to help the East India Company

by making the sale of its tea cheaper in America

• Americans interpret this as a subtle ploy to get them to consume taxed tea

• December 1773—Boston protestors dump the tea into the harbor

Steps Toward IndependenceSteps Toward Independence

Steps Toward IndependenceSteps Toward Independence

• September 1774—First Continental Congress in response to Coercive Acts

• Congress commends “Suffolk Resolves” urging forcible resistance

• Intercolonial “Association” halts commerce with Britain until Coercive Acts repealed

Shots Heard Around the WorldShots Heard Around the World

• April 19, 1775—skirmish breaks out in Lexington, Massachusetts

• Fighting spreads along road between Lexington, Concord, and Boston

• English retreat to Boston with heavy losses

• June 17, 1775—colonists inflict heavy losses on British in Battle of Bunker Hill

Beginning Beginning ““The World Over AgainThe World Over Again””

Beginning Beginning ““The World Over AgainThe World Over Again””

• Second Continental Congress—action and inaction June 1775—Congress appoints George

Washington commander in chief December 1775 Prohibitory Act—British

blockade colonists’ trade German mercenaries hired to put down

rebellion January 1776—Thomas Paine’s Common

Sense

TABLE 5.1 TABLE 5.1 Chronicle of Colonial-British TensionChronicle of Colonial-British Tension

Beginning Beginning ““The World Over AgainThe World Over Again”” (cont’d)(cont’d)

• Convinces ordinary colonists to sever ties with Britain July 2, 1776—Independence voted by

Congress Jefferson writes Declaration of

Independence

Congress Voting Independence Congress Voting Independence Oil painting by Oil painting by Robert Edge Pine and Edward Savage, 1785. The Robert Edge Pine and Edward Savage, 1785. The

committee Congress appointed to draft a committee Congress appointed to draft a declaration on independence included (center, declaration on independence included (center, standing) John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert standing) John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert

Livingston, Thomas Jefferson, and (center Livingston, Thomas Jefferson, and (center foreground, seated) Benjamin Franklin. The foreground, seated) Benjamin Franklin. The committee members are shown submitting committee members are shown submitting

Jefferson’s draft to the speaker.Jefferson’s draft to the speaker.

Fighting for IndependenceFighting for Independence

Fighting for IndependenceFighting for Independence

• British confident of victory Larger population, more resources Naval supremacy

• Britain’s tasks Supply troops an ocean away in hostile

territory Crush the popular spirit of independence

• British underestimate Americans’ commitment to their political ideology

Building a Professional ArmyBuilding a Professional Army

• Washington rejects guerilla warfare strategy

• Continental army to be a fighting force and symbol of the republican cause

• Militia’s role: compel support for Revolution

Building a Professional Army Building a Professional Army (cont’d)(cont’d)

• African Americans in the Revolution New England militias attract slaves with

promises of emancipation Southern slaves more likely to side with

British

““Times that Try Men’s SoulsTimes that Try Men’s Souls””

• General Howe replaces General Gage for British

• Fighting shifts to New York; Washington forced to retreat

• Howe issues pardon for all who swear loyalty to Britain

““Times that Try Men’s SoulsTimes that Try Men’s Souls”” (cont’d)(cont’d)

• Washington captures 900 Hessians in Trenton

• Washington captures Princeton• The Patriot cause revives, but many

fear the frontier and Native American support of British

Map 5.2 Map 5.2 The American The American Revolution, 1775–1781 Revolution, 1775–1781 Battles Battles were fought in the colonies, on the were fought in the colonies, on the western frontier, and along the Gulf western frontier, and along the Gulf

of Mexico. The major engagements of of Mexico. The major engagements of the first years of the war, from the the first years of the war, from the spontaneous rising at Concord in spontaneous rising at Concord in

1775 to Washington’s well-1775 to Washington’s well-coordinated attack on Trenton in coordinated attack on Trenton in

December 1776, were fought in the December 1776, were fought in the northern colonies. In the middle northern colonies. In the middle

theater of war, Burgoyne’s attempt in theater of war, Burgoyne’s attempt in 1777 to cut New England off from the 1777 to cut New England off from the

rest of the colonies failed when his rest of the colonies failed when his army was defeated at Saratoga. army was defeated at Saratoga.

Action in the final years of the war, Action in the final years of the war, from the battles at Camden, Kings from the battles at Camden, Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and Guilford Mountain, Cowpens, and Guilford Courthouse to the final victory at Courthouse to the final victory at Yorktown, occurred in the South.Yorktown, occurred in the South.

Victory in a Year of DefeatVictory in a Year of Defeat

• British strategy Cut off New England from other colonies Lure Continental army into decisive battle

• The plan for cutting off New England Burgoyne’s army moves in from Canada Howe’s army moves up from New York They meet in Albany

Victory in a Year of Defeat (cont’d)Victory in a Year of Defeat (cont’d)

• Burgoyne defeated at Saratoga• Howe takes Philadelphia instead• Washington’s army winters at Valley

Forge, Pennsylvania

The French AllianceThe French Alliance

• French help colonists to get back at Britain for defeat in Seven Years’ War

• Effects of Saratoga Convinces France that colonists are serious

enough to become formal allies British sue for peace to prevent Franco-

American alliance

The French Alliance (cont’d)The French Alliance (cont’d)

• British offer repeal of all laws since 1763, respect for colonial taxation rights

• February 1778—Alliance with France concluded

Map 5.3 Map 5.3 Spain entered the Revolutionary War as Spain entered the Revolutionary War as an ally of France in 1779. By 1781, Spanish forces an ally of France in 1779. By 1781, Spanish forces

operating out of New Orleans and St. Louis had operating out of New Orleans and St. Louis had captured British forts in the Mississippi Valley and captured British forts in the Mississippi Valley and the Midwest from Baton Rouge and Natchez to as the Midwest from Baton Rouge and Natchez to as far north as the modern state of Michigan. On the far north as the modern state of Michigan. On the

Gulf Coast, Spanish amphibious forces led by Count Gulf Coast, Spanish amphibious forces led by Count Bernardo de Galvez had also overran British posts Bernardo de Galvez had also overran British posts from what is now Mobile, Alabama to Pensacola in from what is now Mobile, Alabama to Pensacola in what was then the British colony of West Florida. what was then the British colony of West Florida.

Spain retained these Gulf Coast ports and regained Spain retained these Gulf Coast ports and regained all of Florida in the Treaty of Paris in 1783.all of Florida in the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

The Final CampaignThe Final Campaign

• British believe Loyalists stronger in southern colonies, so fighting shifts there

• Spring 1780—English capture Savannah and Charleston

• August 1780—American army routed at Camden, South Carolina

The Final Campaign (cont’d)The Final Campaign (cont’d)

• Continental army rallies under Nathaniel Greene

• Cornwallis moves British into Virginia, 1781

• October 19, 1781—Cornwallis surrenders to Washington’s combined French and American forces

Battle of Yorktown Battle of Yorktown French assistance on land French assistance on land and sea helped the Americans to defeat the British and sea helped the Americans to defeat the British in the American Revolution. In this French print of in the American Revolution. In this French print of

the battle at Yorktown, French ships block the the battle at Yorktown, French ships block the entrance of Chesapeake Bay, preventing British entrance of Chesapeake Bay, preventing British vessels from resupplying their troops on land. vessels from resupplying their troops on land.

Yorktown, which was unknown to the French artist Yorktown, which was unknown to the French artist who made this print, is depicted as a European who made this print, is depicted as a European

walled city.walled city.

The Loyalist DilemmaThe Loyalist Dilemma

• More than 100,000 Loyalists leave U.S. at war’s end

• Loyalists share basic ideology with Patriots

• Loyalists see rebellion as endangering “life, liberty, and property”

The Loyalist Dilemma (cont’d)The Loyalist Dilemma (cont’d)

• Loyalists treated poorly by both sides British never fully trust Loyalists Patriots seize property, imprison,

execute some

Conclusion: Preserving Conclusion: Preserving IndependenceIndependence

Conclusion: Preserving Conclusion: Preserving IndependenceIndependence

• The American Revolution begins construction of new form of government

• Question remains: a government of the elite or a government of the people?

TimelineTimeline