The American Revolution, 1775-1783

The Combatants

• British Advantages–Army of Regulars–Top Navy–30,000 Hessians–50,000 American

loyalists–Money and

supplies

• American Advantages–3,000 miles of ocean–Home Turf–Fighting for

independence–Leadership–Possible French

assistance

First Continental Congress

• Convened in Phil. in ‘74 –Statement of grievances to King–Preparations for fighting–Boycott–Agreed to meet again in ‘75

The Fighting Begins

• Lexington and Concord ‘75–“The shot heard round the world”–Unclear start to a revolution–Approves “Olive Branch

Petition”

The Shot Heard Round the World

Common Sense• Published Jan.’76• Sold 100,000

copies in first four months

• Called for complete split from Britain and its constitution

Thomas Paine

Declaration of Independence• Written by

Jefferson

• Formal break with the crown

When in the Course of Human Events…

Reactions to July 4…

Conducting the War: States v. Central government

• Despite individual states vying for power, Congress given power to coordinate the war but

–State militias

–States volunteering money

Phase I: New England ’75-’76

• Bunker Hill: British driven from Mass

• England ‘wins’ but loses ½ its men

• British realize the scope of the revolution

Phase II: The Mid-Atlantic ’76-’78

• Trenton NJ:Washington attacks during winter with limited success

• Battle of Saratoga:– Turning point– French have the confidence to support the

Patriots with supplies

New York City in Flames

Washington Crossing the Delaware

Phase III:The South• Diplomatic recognition followed in ’78

• Britain’s European wars expand

• French Navy arrives

Phase III: The South (cont.)• Britain hoped to rely on Loyalists in the

south for support• Military commitment by Britain decreases• Yorktown marks last major battle

–Cornwallis cornered between land and sea

–French-American army surround British

“The World Turn’d Upside Down”

War and Economy

Trade with Britain cut offNo protection at sea

• Diversified by the 1780s

–New trading partners

–Formation of navy

–Some industry forms

Imports/Exports

Treaty of Paris of 1783

• US bordered by Mississippi, Canada, Atlantic, and Florida

• Diplomatic recog. by British

• British promise to evacuate Ohio Valley

• US promises to pay debts

War and Society

• Loyalists harassed–Left behind property and estates–Many moved to Canada or

Britain • Native-Americans generally

opposed the Rev.• Mixed bag for African-Americans

Toleration and Slavery

• Where it was not used, usually abolished

• SC and GA refused to halt slave trade

• Sep. of Church and State (Statute of Relig. Freedom by Thomas Jefferson of VA)

Washington Resigns from the Army

State Constitutions

• Guiding principle: Do the opposite of Britain

• Republicanism• CN & RI simply changed their colonial

charters• Limited executive branch• Most had bicameral legislatures• Property req. for voting

Articles of Confederation (’81-’89• Fed. Gov’t consisted of a unicameral

Congress (9 out of 13 votes to pass a law)

• 13 out of 13 to amend• Rep. frequently absent• Could not tax or raise armies• Northwest Ordinance a success• Shays’ Rebellion shows weaknesses