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Page 1 Name: ______________________________ Social Studies Seven/PD: _____ Chapter Six/Part One – Rebellion I. Rebellion A. The “Intolerable Acts”: Both Parliament and the King of Britain came to the decision after the Boston Tea Party that Massachusetts must be punished and that Britain must show that it was in control of the 13 Colonies. Britain’s right to tax the Colonies was to be settled. In the minds of the King and the members of Parliament, it was time to show the 13 Colonies that Great Britain was to be obeyed. In 1774, Parliament passed a series of harsh new laws that were designed to punish Massachusetts in general and Boston in particular. The new laws were known as the Coercion Acts in Britain but were considered to be so extreme by the Colonists that they named them the “Intolerable Acts.” The first law shut down Boston Harbor to all ships entering or leaving the harbor. Not even a fishing boat would be allowed to leave and return. British warships blocked the mouth of the harbor and customs officers kept a close guard over ships tied up at the docks. The harbor was to remain closed until the tea that had been destroyed was paid for in full. Furthermore, Boston was to repay British officials for any property that had been destroyed by “Patriots.” Finally, the City of Boston was expected to show that it was sorry for what had happened before the harbor could be reopened. A second law made it illegal to hold more than one town meeting a year in any Massachusetts town unless written permission was given by the governor. Town meetings were considered to be one of the most important rights (the right to assemble) in the New England Colonies. In addition, all juries would be selected by officials of the British Government and could not be elected by Colonial citizens. Colonists wondered if it would be possible to receive a fair trial when British officials selected the jurors.

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Name: ______________________________ Social Studies Seven/PD: _____Chapter Six/Part One – Rebellion

I. Rebellion

A. The “Intolerable Acts”:

Both Parliament and the King of Britain came to the decision after the Boston Tea Party that Massachusetts must be punished and that Britain must show that it was in control of the 13 Colonies. Britain’s right to tax the Colonies was to be settled. In the minds of the King and the members of Parliament, it was time to show the 13 Colonies that Great Britain was to be obeyed. In 1774, Parliament passed a series of harsh new laws that were designed to punish Massachusetts in general and Boston in particular. The new laws were known as the Coercion Acts in Britain but were considered to be so extreme by the Colonists that they named them the “Intolerable Acts.”

The first law shut down Boston Harbor to all ships entering or leaving the harbor. Not even a fishing boat would be allowed to leave and return. British warships blocked the mouth of the harbor and customs officers kept a close guard over ships tied up at the docks. The harbor was to remain closed until the tea that had been destroyed was paid for in full. Furthermore, Boston was to repay British officials for any property that had been destroyed by “Patriots.” Finally, the City of Boston was expected to show that it was sorry for what had happened before the harbor could be reopened.

A second law made it illegal to hold more than one town meeting a year in any Massachusetts town unless written permission was given by the governor. Town meetings were considered to be one of the most important rights (the right to assemble) in the New England Colonies. In addition, all juries would be selected by officials of the British Government and could not be elected by Colonial citizens. Colonists wondered if it would be possible to receive a fair trial when British officials selected the jurors.

The third law allowed customs officers and other British officials who were charged with a crime to be tried in Britain or Canada instead of Massachusetts. The laws made Colonists feel that a British official could commit a crime and “get away with it.” Juries in Britain and Canada were far more likely to find a British official innocent than a jury in Massachusetts.

Finally, the fourth law was a new Quartering Act. British soldiers would no longer have to sleep in tents in the open parks of Boston. Colonists would now be forced to house soldiers. Many feared that this meant that they would have to take soldiers into their own homes when no other form of housing was available. The citizens of Boston faced a loss of privacy, damage to their homes, and poor treatment by British soldiers. British soldiers had a reputation for roughness and poor manners. The thought of a squad of British soldiers in their homes struck fear into the hearts of Bostonians.

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EFFECTS: The Intolerable Acts convinced the people of Massachusetts and the other Colonies that Britain truly meant to take away Colonial rights. The new laws threatened to destroy all business in Boston and create a shortage of food by closing the harbor down. British officials were likely to be found innocent of crimes while Colonists were likely to be found guilty. Soldiers could invade the privacy and peace of Colonial homes.

The laws created enormous anger in Massachusetts – anger that spread to the other Colonies as the committees of correspondence spread the news. People from the other 12 Colonies began to send food to Boston to help the city while the port was closed. Citizens throughout the 13 Colonies wondered if they might also lose their rights and face severe punishment from Britain.

B. The Quebec Act

Shortly after the Intolerable Acts were passed, news reached the 13 Colonies that another act had been passed. The Quebec Act was created by Parliament to give Canadians (many of whom were French Catholics) complete religious freedom. In addition, the law placed all of the lands along the Ohio and Missouri Rivers (land that had been claimed by Colonists such as George Washington) under the control of the Canadian Government in Quebec. Finally, the new act gave Canadians the beginnings of independent rule.

EFFECTS: Colonists were very unhappy with the Quebec Act. Many saw it as a reward to their former enemies of the French and Indian War. Worse, the act gave away lands that Colonists had fought for during the French and Indian War. People in Canada were being given rights even as citizens in the 13 Colonies were losing their rights. Colonists considered the Quebec Act to be an insult and were shocked that Britain would treat a former enemy better than its own “British” citizens. Others felt that this was proof that the people of the 13 Colonies would be denied the right to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains and that Britain truly did intend to give this land to nobles and other wealthy people and companies from Britain.

C. The First Continental Congress:

News of the Intolerable Acts spread quickly through the 13 Colonies thanks to the efforts of the Committees of Correspondence. The reaction across the Colonies was one of anger and fear. The Virginia Assembly called for a day to be set aside to mark the “shame” of the Intolerable Acts. Other Colonies pledged to support Massachusetts and oppose the British laws.

Anger and fear forced 12 of the 13 Colonies to hold a meeting in Philadelphia known as the First Continental Congress. The delegates at the Congress met to discuss what the Colonies would do about the harsh Intolerable Acts and the insulting Quebec Act. Delegates such as Sam Adams and John Adams urged that the Colonies should break from Great Britain, but they were in the minority. Despite all that had happened, most of the delegates were still unwilling to risk a war with Great Britain or break from their parent country.

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The delegates at the Continental Congress decided to:

1. Boycott all British goods until the Intolerable Acts were cancelled.2. Support Massachusetts by sending food and other items to help the City of Boston while the port was closed.3. Encourage all Colonies to create an emergency militia force and begin training them (outside of the control of the British Government) 4. The delegates agreed to meet in May of 1775 to discuss further action at a Second Continental Congress

EFFECT: The forming of militia’s was viewed as a potential preparation for war by Great Britain and Britain intended to bring the 13 Colonies under control as quickly as possible. Britain’s commanding officer in Boston, General Gage, decided to raid the towns of Lexington and Concord to capture or destroy stores of weapons and prevent possible fighting. The raid was set for the night of April 18-19, 1775.

D. Lexington and Concord:

The Sons of Liberty and the Committees of Correspondence kept a close watch on British troops in Boston. Colonials working in the stables where British officers kept their horses were ordered to have the horses saddled and prepared to ride late at night on April 18, 1775. Other Colonists working in and near British headquarters in Boston overheard that a large number of soldiers would leave Boston “by surprise” and move to capture the militia weapons being gathered at the small towns of Lexington and Concord. They also planned to arrest Sam Adams and John Hancock.

All of this information was reported to Patriot leaders before they reached many of the British officers who would participate in the movement! A quick plan was created to alert a small group of men across the river from Boston who waited to ride to Lexington and Concord to spread the news that the British were on the move. One lantern would be placed in the tower of Boston’s Old North Church if the British were leaving Boston by land. Two would appear if they crossed the river in boats.

Shortly after midnight, the three riders saw two lanterns and sped down different roads to make certain the news reached Lexington and Concord. The three riders were named Dawes, Prescott, and Paul Revere. They shouted, “the Regulars are coming” as they passed through towns to alert militia units along the way.

During the night, 800 well- trained and equipped British soldiers marched to the village of Lexington and found 70 “minutemen” (men who could be ready for action in 60 seconds) under the command of Massachusetts Captain John Parker blocking the road. The British officer in charge, who had been told to avoid a confrontation, ordered the minutemen to move. In the silence that followed, a musket fired (to this day, we do not know which side fired first) and the nervous British troops opened fire without their officers command.

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By the time the British officers got their men back under control, eight Colonists lay dead and the rest of the minutemen had scattered to warn militia units in the surrounding towns about what had happened. The British moved on to Concord, finding very few weapons and failing to capture Sam Adams or John Hancock. Militia units coming from all directions then attacked the British and drove them back to Boston in a day-long bloody fight that left 73 soldiers dead and 200 wounded. The militiamen had been driven into a fury by news of the deaths at Lexington and they had turned their fury loose on the British.

EFFECTS: The opening shot at Lexington has since been known as the “shot heard round the world” for its importance in history. The fighting at Lexington and Concord meant that the 13 Colonies were now in a state of open and violent rebellion against Great Britain and could now expect the British to strike back with all of their strength. A hard decision lay ahead for the Colonists who were to meet at the Second Continental Congress in May. Would they try to make peace with Britain or declare independence?

General Thomas Gage Margaret Kemble Gage William Dawes, Jr.Commander of British forces in Boston Wife of General Gage – she may have One of the Patriot night riders

passed British plans to Dr. Warren of to Lexington and ConcordColonial Intelligence

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Review Questions

1. What did Great Britain decide to do after the Boston Tea Party?

2. What did the Intolerable Acts convince many people of in the 13 Colonies?

3. What did the delegates to the First Continental Congress decide to do in response to the Intolerable Acts (four steps)?

4. How did the British react to the forming of Colonial militia forces (what did the British decide to do)?

5. Which “hard decision” did the Colonies have to make after the fighting at Lexington and Concord?

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Name: __________________________________ Social Studies Seven/PD: _____Chapter Six/Part Two – The “Unofficial War”

II. The “Unofficial War”

A. Rebellion Without War (April 1775-July 1776):

After the fighting at Lexington and Concord in April of 1775, Colonists realized that a war with Great Britain was likely. There was, however, no official declaration of war or declaration of independence. For that matter, there was no Colonial Government – the Second Continental Congress was not scheduled to meet until May of 1775. In America, Colonists waited for the decision of the delegates to the Second Continental Congress that would meet in Philadelphia. Fear and high emotions swept the Colonies – ranging from those who wanted independence and war to others who wished for peace with Britain at any cost.

When news of the Battles of Lexington and Concord arrived in June of 1775, British officials in America and Great Britain considered Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion. Obviously, the rebellion would have to be contained before it could spread to the other twelve colonies. The British Governors in the 13 Colonies did not have the authority to act outside the borders of their own colonies and they (as well as British Army and Navy commanders) waited for word to arrive from Great Britain before taking action. Loyalist citizens in America nervously waited for help to arrive from Great Britain.

B. The Fall of Fort Ticonderoga:

During this time (spring and summer of 1775), a group of militiamen led by a New Hampshire woodsman named Ethan Allen and a wealthy Connecticut merchant – Benedict Arnold, decided to attack Ft. Ticonderoga at the southern end of Lake Champlain in New York. Allen and Arnold wished to capture the large supply of cannon, gunpowder, and muskets at the fort. The Patriot leaders also believed that capturing the fort would give them control over Lake Champlain – an invasion route both into and out of the Colonies.

The fort and its supplies were captured in a surprise night attack and without loss of life. News of Lexington and Concord had not arrived at the fort and the gates were wide open on the night of the attack – with one guard asleep at his post! Enemy Natives had not been in the area for years and the entire garrison was captured while asleep. The fort’s commander was humiliated when he was forced to surrender in his nightclothes (pajamas) to Ethan Allen.

EFFECTS: The Americans captured a large supply of cannon, muskets, and gunpowder and now could use Lake Champlain in an attempt to invade Canada. The 13 Colonies would also be able to block any attempt by British soldiers to invade the Colonies from Canada. Capturing the fort was one further step towards a final break with Britain and the beginning of a true war.

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C. Peace or War?

When the news arrived, the delegates to the Second Continental Congress were shocked by the capture of Fort Ticonderoga (some wanted the weapons returned to the British while others saw it as a great victory). Everyone knew that a decision had to be made before the fighting continued between the 13 Colonies and Great Britain. After lengthy debate, the divided Congress agreed on two actions:

EFFECTS:

1. Olive Branch Petition: Members that wanted to repair relations with Britain forced the Second Continental Congress to send King George III a letter in which the 13 Colonies declared their loyalty to the King and asked the King to repeal the Intolerable Acts as a gesture of peace. In return, the Colonies would lay down their weapons and remain a part of the British Empire.

2. Continental Army: The more realistic members knew that a peaceful restoration of relations with Britain was very unlikely. They convinced Congress to create an army (the Continental Army) in the event that King George III rejected the Olive Branch Petition. John Adams succeeded in having George Washington appointed commander of the army – a calculated move to win the support of the Southern Colonies.

In effect, The Second Continental Congress asked for peace while it prepared for war!

D. The Battle of Bunker Hill:

Before an answer on the Olive Branch Petition arrived from Britain and George Washington could take command of the Continental Army outside Boston, militia commanders in Massachusetts decided to take matters into their own hands. In June of 1775, the Massachusetts militia decided to provoke (start) a fight with the British forces in Boston.

Militia Colonel William Prescott moved 1,200 militiamen onto a hill (Breeds Hill) overlooking the harbor, knowing that the British commander in Boston (General Howe) would have to attack him before he and his men could move cannon onto the hill and begin firing on the city and its harbor. When the British attacked the next day, Howe rejected a plan to move behind and surround the Americans on the hill. He wanted to attack by going straight up the hill – sending the message that Britain would crush the rebellion with superior military force. The attack, however, took most of the day and resulted in over 1,000 British dead and wounded before the Americans ran out of gunpowder and retreated.

EFFECTS: The Battle of Bunker Hill let the British know that Americans could fight very hard and would not be easy to defeat. The Americans learned that the British would also fight very hard and were not going to let the Colonies become independent after one tough battle. Both sides realized that the coming war would be long and difficult.

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E. Retreat and Blockade:

When Washington arrived to take command of the Continental Army in the summer of 1775, he found it to be in terrible shape – lacking supplies, weapons, gunpowder, training, and leadership. He realized that he could do little with the army but begin to train it and try to turn it into a true fighting army. The new commander was so shocked by what he saw that he was left speechless and wondered whether he had made the greatest mistake in his life by agreeing to take command.

Washington dared not to attack the British, so he simply surrounded Boston and waited for cannon to arrive. During the winter of 1776, Washington ordered General Henry Knox, his chief of Artillery, to move the cannon from Ft. Ticonderoga to the Continental Army positions outside Boston. Knox knew that he could not move the large cannon (some weighed several tons) down the small country roads of New York and Massachusetts and decided to wait for a thick layer of snow to form. He then had the cannon loaded on large sleds and pulled them to Boston by horse and ox teams.

Washington placed the cannon on the hills around Boston Harbor even though he had very little powder or cannon balls to fire from them. When the British commander in Boston saw the cannon, he believed that it was hopeless to try to defend Boston and abandoned the city – moving all of his soldiers and Loyalist Americans to Canada by ship. Although it was a great victory for the Americans, the British blockade (ring of ships outside Boston Harbor) remained unbroken and Washington knew that the British would be back – most likely targeting New York City.

EFFECTS: The capture of Boston by American forces was another step towards war with Great Britain. Public opinion on independence began to shift, with many Americans beginning to feel that a war with Britain could not be avoided and that the Colonies needed to prepare for the eventual British attack.

The Americans won a city, but were cut off from supplies and trade with foreign nations. Washington faced the very difficult job of turning an army of volunteer farmer/soldiers into a fighting force that could face down the greatest military power on the planet. The lack of money, supplies, and military experience that existed in the Colonies guaranteed that this would be nearly impossible in the near future. Washington also had to face the unpleasant fact that Britain could use its navy to strike anywhere and at any time. In fact, Britain did use its navy to blockade the entire Atlantic coastline.

F. Disaster in Canada:

In late 1775, two small American Armies were sent to invade Canada and capture Quebec. The Americans hoped that the Canadians would rebel and join them in attacking the British. Colonial leaders also hoped that that the capture of Quebec would stop British plans to invade the colonies from Canada. The attack, however, ran into bad weather and the armies began to suffer from hunger, cold, and disease. When the two groups joined and attacked Quebec on the last day of 1775, they were defeated and had to wait outside the city until May of 1776 before what was left of the force retreated to the Colonies.

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EFFECT: Britain remained in control of Canada and could launch invasions into the Colonies at any time. The Americans also realized that the citizens of Canada would not turn against the British and join the Colonies in a war for independence. Instead, the Colonies would be forced to fight alone until an ally could be found. As 1776 began, the delegates at the Second Continental Congress realized that the situation was spinning out of control. Many in Congress began to seriously consider declaring independence from Great Britain.

Ethan Allen Benedict Arnold Henry Knox British General William HoweLeader of the Green Mountain Boys Colonial merchant turned soldier Bookseller turned soldier Commander of British forces in Boston

who ordered the attack on Bunker Hill

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The death of Dr. Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill Traditional view of the British assault on Bunker Hill(inaccurate – Dr. Warren was actually shot while retreating) (also believed to be inaccurate for several reasons)

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The British attacks on Bunker Hill (source: google.com)

Source: google.com

Review Questions

1. What did the capture of Fort Ticonderoga give the 13 Colonies? (two things):

2. After the capture of Ticonderoga, the Second Continental Congress decided to: (two ideas)

3. The Battle of Bunker Hill taught both sides (Britain and the Colonies) that:

4. What did the capture of Boston do to public opinion in the Colonies?

5. How did Britain use its navy after the loss of Boston?

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Name: _________________________________ Social Studies Seven/PD: _____Chapter Six/Part Three: Independence Declared

III. Independence Declared

A. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense Persuades Americans:

In early 1776, an English immigrant (sent to America by Benjamin Franklin) wrote a short pamphlet with the title of Common Sense. The title suggested that it would not be difficult to read and over 500,000 copies were sold in a land of only 3,000,000 people - one pamphlet for every six citizens. Paine took the feelings held by many in America and put them into simple arguments and statements that made sense to all – not just the well-educated. Paine argued that:

- America no longer needed to be ruled by a King - Americans had “grown up” and were capable of ruling themselves

- Britain was too far away (3,000 miles) to govern America effectively – it simply took too long for news and important information to travel back and forth between England and America

- America did not need Great Britain to be able to trade and make money – the world would buy our food and other products whether we were “British” or “American”

EFFECTS: Paine put the feelings of many Americans into words and created an argument that convinced thousands of Colonists to join the “Patriot” cause against Great Britain. The pamphlet had the greatest effect on the undecided – those who could not decide whether to remain loyal to Britain or fight against Britain for independence.

The pamphlet also made an enormous change in the way people felt about kings and queens. For the first time, people began to openly question the need for a king. Many Americans decided that a king or queen was not needed – the people could run their own affairs without one. After all, the 13 Colonies had governed themselves until the end of the French and Indian War and they could govern themselves once more.

B. Independence Declared:

When news reached the 13 Colonies that King George had rejected the Olive Branch Petition and planned to send a huge army to “crush the rebellion,” the Continental Congress realized that it had to take action. In June of 1776, Virginian Richard Henry Lee asked the Congress to consider declaring independence from Great Britain – a move that was approved that day.

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A committee of five men was appointed to write a “Declaration of Independence” and it included a young Virginian named Thomas Jefferson, John Adams of Massachusetts, and Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania. Once again, John Adams (who had recommended Washington to command the Continental Army) felt that the main job of writing the declaration should be given to a southerner to win southern support. Jefferson’s declaration was approved after changes on July 2, 1776 and formally signed and recognized on July 4, 1776.

EFFECT: The Declaration of Independence announced the creation of the United States of America and its approval by Congress marked the official beginning of our nations’ history. The Declaration is also one of the most important documents in world history – starting revolutions against kings and queens around the globe. People around the world began to believe that they had a right to rule themselves. The age of kings and queens began to slowly decline from this point forward.

C. Uncertain Times and Disaster at the Battle of Long Island:

The Declaration of Independence changed many things in America. The British Government, complete with its governors, judgescourts, clerks, tax collectors, soldiers, and ships was gone. The new government, led by the Second Continental Congress, had to find a way to run a nation. There was no King or President and Congress only had the power to run the military and conduct relations with foreign nations.

Congress could not raise taxes or take soldiers from the states – it could only ask for money, men, and supplies. The government quickly set about trying to prepare for the coming war, but it was a job made difficult by lack of money and lack of cooperation from the states. Congress took the drastic step of designing and printing its own money known as “Continental Dollars” – money that was not backed by gold or silver and had little real value. Ambassadors were sent to foreign nations (especially France) to ask for both loans and military help.

In July of 1776, Congress ordered Washington to take his 20,000 men to defend New York City against a British invasion force of 34,000 soldiers, 10,000 sailors, 30 major warships, and 400 transport ships. Washington knew that the city would be difficult to defend without ships of his own, but did his best to prepare for the attack. In August of 1776, the British smashed the Continental Army at the Battle of Long Island – killing, capturing, and wounding 1,400 American soldiers. The American Army only escaped complete destruction by leaving Long Island in rowboats during a night thunderstorm and a thick fog.

EFFECT: Washington was forced to concentrate on keeping his army alive but was not strong enough to attack the British. His only goal was to keep the army together until it was strong enough to attack. The fighting now shifted from New England to the Middle Colonies as Washington’s Army was chased down and relentlessly attacked by the British. Throughout the fall and into the winter, the British gave the Continental Army little time to rest, train, or find new supplies. Many believed that the Revolution had already failed.

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D. Dark Times for the United States:

There was little doubt that the United States was not well prepared to fight a war against the greatest power on the face of the earth. Washington’s defeat at Long Island and his loss of New York City seemed by many to be proof that the Revolution would not last long and that the United States would be brought back under British control in short order. Around the world, other nations watched the struggle with interest, but could not see how a nation of three million farmers could defeat the mighty British Empire.

In nearly every way, the United States was at a great disadvantage in its struggle with Britain. The new nation had only a tiny fraction of Britain’s wealth, population, industry, or military strength. There were very few men with formal military training or experience in the United States. Even George Washington had never been a part of the regular British Army. The United States had no navy to speak of – only a small number of converted merchant ships that could hardly challenge the overwhelming power of the Royal Navy or break its blockade of the coastline.

The lack of industry and money meant that the United States could not afford to pay, supply, and train a large army. Instead, the new nation had to hope that each state would do its best to raise as many soldiers as possible. Congress, as the national Government, could do little to actually force any state to do anything. Congress could only ask for men, supplies, and money from the states. In effect, each state was like an independent nation and they seldom acted together in a coordinated way.

Despite all of the disadvantages, the United States did have some hope. The war was to be fought in America – and few knew the land as well as the Americans did. Americans would literally be fighting to protect their homes and families. They were also willing to fight an “irregular” war. Unlike their enemy, many Americans would be willing to use Native tactics and wished to avoid fighting the British in the traditional “open field” style that the British had mastered.

The United States also could hope that Britain’s enemies (especially France) would be willing to help. At the very least, there were nations that would be willing to sell the United States weapons and send trained officers to advise and train the American Army. In time, these nations might also be willing to loan money or even join the United States in an alliance against Britain.

The British enjoyed an overwhelming advantage over the United States in nearly every area. Britain’s Army and Navy were among the largest, best trained, most experienced, and well-equipped forces on the planet. The British had nearly ten times the population of the U.S. and Britain had many factories to make items for a war. In addition, Britain had 1000 times the wealth of the United States. Great Britain was confident that it could blockade the Colonies (after all, Britain refused to recognize that the United States was an independent nation) with its Navy while its Army took the “Colonials” apart piece by piece.

Regardless of its strength and might, Britain did have weaknesses. Great Britain was an empire and it did have many colonies to defend all around the world. Simply put, Britain could not afford to use all of its strength to attack the United States. Army units and Navy fleets had to be scattered around the globe to defend the empire. Britain’s enemies would be ready to attack any weak spots and the British could not afford to let their guard down.

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Another problem that faced Britain was the expense of fighting a war 3,000 miles from Europe. Everything that Britain planned to use in America had to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Britain had the ships to carry the goods, but the cost was enormous and Great Britain still had not fully recovered from the huge debt created by the French and Indian War. The British knew that it would be in their best interest to finish the war as quickly as possible.

Britain’s greatest fear was that the rebellion in America would become a larger war like the French and Indian War. France was still a powerful nation in Europe and an alliance between France and United States could prove to be a financial and military nightmare for Britain. A war with France would mean that the alliance system of Europe would come into play and multiple nations would once again fight each other all over the globe. Great Britain, powerful as it was, could little afford to fight another world war.

EFFECTS: Like the French during the French and Indian War, Britain needed to put an end to the war in America as quickly as possible. The longer the war dragged on, the greater the damage would be to the British Empire. The United States, on the other hand, needed to keep the war going long enough to win help from foreign nations. In reality, America’s only real chance of winning the war and remaining independent was to become an ally of a powerful European nation that could afford to send the United States weapons, money, soldiers, and a navy.

“His Excellency” George Washington William Howe – first British Admiral Richard Howeas Commander-In-Chief of the Commander-In-Chief in the Commander of British NavalUnited States Army Revolutionary War forces in North America

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Thomas Paine Thomas Jefferson Benjamin FranklinAuthor of “Common Sense” Writer of the Declaration of America’s ambassador to France

Independence during the Revolutionary War

Review Questions

1. After Thomas Paine published Common Sense, what did many Americans decide?

2. Why did John Adams want Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence?

3. What made the Declaration of Independence one of the most important documents’ in World History?

4. During the Revolutionary War, Congress could only:

5. What was America’s only real chance of winning the war and remaining independent?

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Name: _____________________________ Social Studies Seven/PD: _____Chapter Six/Part Four – Dark Days to Alliance

IV. Dark Days to an Alliance

A. Dark Times – August 1776 to December 1776:

After several sharp battles, Washington was forced to abandon New York City and spent the fall of 1776 running from superior British forces. His untrained and ill-equipped army was defeated nearly every time it tried to fight the British. By December of 1776, the Army had fled from New York to New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. The fighting strength of the Continental Army was down to 3,000 men from 20,000 at the start of August.

Men were deserting (running away from) the Army daily, no new soldiers were joining, and Washington was receiving very little help from American citizens. It looked as if the war was lost and the British settled into their winter quarters certain that Washington would surrender as his tiny force starved to death in the countryside.

EFFECT: Support for the U.S. Army and the Revolution began to fail. General Washington was forced to beg Congress for fresh supplies, men, and equipment. Washington also knew that he somehow had to produce a victory to give his soldiers and the people of the United States hope. Only a victory could encourage soldiers to join the Army and convince citizens to help with supplies.

B. Thomas Paine and George Washington Change the Course of the War:

Thomas Paine, who was with Washington’s crumbling army, decided to write another pamphlet. He hoped to improve the spirit of the men and increase support from American citizens for the Army. In December of 1776, he published The Crisis, a short pamphlet praising the soldiers for their courage and criticizing those who had abandoned the army. He also criticized Americans for failing to support their military and encouraged them to send food and supplies to Washington. The Crisis shamed some Americans into action.

The Crisis began to encourage the soldiers even as Washington developed a desperate plan to win a battle and capture supplies for his men. In a plan that some described as “completely mad,” Washington decided to row his army across the partially frozen Delaware River on Christmas Night to attack a regiment of 1,400 very well supplied and equipped Hessians (hired German soldiers) in Trenton, New Jersey. Catching them by surprise after their Christmas celebrations, the U.S. Army captured the entire Hessian regiment and all of its equipment without a single American death. The Battle of Trenton was the desperately needed victory that Washington had hoped for.

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Only one week later, Washington tricked another British Army that was preparing to attack him by leaving his campfires burning all night while he marched the U.S. Army around the British and attacked from the rear. At the Battle of Princeton, the U.S. Army drove the British from the town of Princeton, New Jersey and forced them to stay in New York City for the remainder of the winter.

EFFECTS: Washington’s two victories and Paine’s The Crisis gave both the U.S. Army and the American people hope. Men began to return to the Army and the people began to send more supplies to keep it fed and clothed during the winter months. Both sides knew that the war would continue and hard fighting lay ahead. The United States, however, now had reason to believe that not all was lost.

C. A New British Commander and a New Plan to End the War:

Surprised by the news of the defeats at Trenton and Princeton, King George III appointed a new general to command a British attack in America – General John Burgoyne. Burgoyne planned to crush the Americans by attacking them from three directions at the same time. The first army, under General Howe, was to march from New York City to Albany and meet with a second British Army coming from Canada and led by Burgoyne himself.

Burgoyne planned to march from Canada to Albany where he would meet with General Howe out of New York City, splitting New England from the Middle States. A third Army under General St. Leger would attack towards Albany from the west and meet the other two armies at Albany. Burgoyne’s goal was to split the U.S., crush any American Armies that resisted, and capture New York, Boston, and Philadelphia (the American Capital). The plan, he thought, would put a speedy end to the war.

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Effects: The British plan to crush the United States in 1777 reflected concerns in Great Britain. Fighting a war 3,000 miles from home was very costly. Adding to Britain’s worries was the knowledge that it had to defend its colonies around the world from other nations. As the war in America continued, Britain began to find that its military forces were getting stretched thin. Britain wanted and needed to have this “Colonial Rebellion” come to a speedy close.

D. General Burgoyne’s Plan Falls Apart:

Before any of the British Armies moved, General Howe decided to capture Philadelphia before marching to meet Burgoyne at Albany, New York. Howe did capture Philadelphia after defeating Washington at the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown, but then failed to march back north to help Burgoyne. Washington remained outside Philadelphia to tie Howe down for as long as possible – hoping that he could force Howe to abandon the city.

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Unknown to Burgoyne, who was marching through the wilderness of northern New York, Howe was out of the picture. Also unknown to Burgoyne was the fact that the third army under General St. Leger had been defeated east of Albany at the Battle of Oriskany. Burgoyne stubbornly decided to continue towards Albany even after news from Howe and St. Leger finally did reach him.

Burgoyne’s army was slowed by American militia forces that cut down huge trees in his path and by a lack of food. When he split part of his army off to gather food in what is now Vermont, American forces attacked it. The British lost 1,000 men at the Battle of Bennington. Burgoyne was then surrounded and trapped in a small town north of Albany – Saratoga. After weeks of hard fighting, Burgoyne was force to surrender his entire army of 7,000 men to American Generals Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. The victory at the Battle of Saratoga changed the course of the war.

EFFECT: The defeat at Saratoga shook the British Empire. Although Britain would not give up just yet, the price of the war began to hurt both Britain’s Treasury and the confidence of its Government. More importantly, France became an ally of the United States. Convinced that the Americans could fight, France began to send millions of dollars in supplies and also sent French Army officers to help the American Army. Long months of patient work by Benjamin Franklin as a U.S. diplomat in France had paid off richly.

E. Valley Forge and the New United States Army:

Washington remained outside Philadelphia after the Battle of Saratoga. He hoped that there would be a chance to attack British forces under General Howe that were occupying the city, but no chance presented itself. Realizing that French help (in the form of an army) would not arrive that year and that winter was approaching, Washington selected a place to station his army during the winter – Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The location was a good one from a military standpoint. It allowed him to watch the British in Philadelphia, attack them if they tried to move to New York by land, and offered protection from British attacks.

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The winter, however, turned into a nightmare. The weather turned unusually cold, heavy snows fell, food and supplies ran short, and the men did not have winter clothing. Congress and Washington were not able to convince the states to send enough supplies until the later part of the winter. During that time, the men suffered from hunger, cold, and the outbreak of diseases. It was not uncommon to see guards standing in the snow with nothing more than rags wrapped around their feet. By late winter, enough supplies began to arrive to save the U.S. Army from starvation.

Valley Forge, in another sense, was also a time of growth. A number of foreign military officers arrived from Poland, France, and Prussia (later a part of Germany) to help train the Americans. The Marquis de Lafayette, a young French nobleman, brought trained soldiers to help Washington’s Army and became a close friend and advisor to Washington.

Spain, an old enemy of Great Britain, decided to help the United States as well. The Spanish Governors in Florida and New Orleans sent large herds of cattle to the United States. The cattle were used to supply the American armies with much needed meat. Spain’s help, although small, was one more sign that troubled the British and tied down British forces that could have been sent to attack Washington.

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Two Polish officers arrived to train the American cavalry forces and to help with engineering projects such as building forts. One officer, above all others, proved to be very valuable - Prussian Baron von Steuben. He taught the soldiers how to march, use their weapons quickly and properly, and how to fight with the bayonet. Most importantly, Steuben taught the Army the discipline and determination to fight the British on open battlefields. The United States Army finally became the professional army that Washington wanted it to be.

EFFECTS: The army that marched out of Valley Forge in the spring of 1778 was nearly the equal of the British – experienced, disciplined, and strong. The soldiers who remained with the army were dedicated veterans who could be counted on to stay with the army without deserting during hard times. The Army was only lacking in numbers (size). Washington also knew that the United States desperately needed the help of a strong navy and the arrival of French soldiers to put an end to the war.

General John Burgoyne General Horatio Gates Baron von SteubenCommander of British Forces Commander of the American Army Prussian military advisorDuring the Saratoga Campaign in 1777 at Saratoga to the U.S. Army at Valley Forge

The Marquis de Lafayette, French officer and aide to Washington

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Washington crosses the Delaware (the famous/fictional painting)

Review Questions

1. How did The Crisis and the Battles of Trenton and Princeton change the war?

2. How did the plan to crush the U.S. in 1777 reflect British concerns?

3. What was the most important result (effect) of the Battle of Saratoga?

4. What made the winter spent at Valley Forge a time of growth for the U.S. Army?

5. What was different about the U.S. Army that marched out of Valley Forge in 1778?

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Name: _________________________________ Social Studies Seven/PD: _____Chapter Six/Part Five – The Revolution’s Middle Years (1778-1779)

V. The Revolution’s Middle Years (1778-1779)

A. Britain Offers Peace and the Battle of Monmouth:

Britain, again faced with financial difficulties and the need to protect colonies worldwide, was deeply troubled by the Frenchand American alliance. British diplomats tried to negotiate a peace treaty to end the war by offering to cancel the Tea Act and Intolerable Acts. The British even offered to put an end to taxing the “Colonies” altogether. Most Americans, however, rejected these offers and wished only for British recognition of American independence. Britain had to reluctantly continue the costly war.

In the summer of 1778, General Howe and the British Army moved out of Philadelphia and turned north to New York City. This was the opportunity that Washington had been looking for and he attacked the British at Monmouth, New Jersey, hoping to capture British supplies and to test the strength of his newly trained army. In the blazing heat of a 100-degree day, the British and Americans fought a desperate battle.

The battle went well for the Americans at first, but American General Charles Lee issued several confusing orders to his men and the battle turned in favor of the British. Only the arrival of Washington himself on the battlefield prevented a disaster. The Americans turned the tide and won the battle, but Howe escaped to New York. The soldiers of the United States Army fought with a determination and sense of professional conduct that was noticed by everyone on the battlefield – particularly the British.

The training that the army had gone through in the harsh winter months at Valley Forge had paid off. For the first time, the United States Army had challenged the British on an open battlefield (Britain’s strength) in a major battle and forced the British to retreat. The victory gave Americans a great sense of confidence. For Britain, it was another sign that the end of the war was nowhere in sight. Even worse, Britain now understood that the enemy they once looked on as almost laughable was a true force to be dealt with.

EFFECTS: Washington could do little to change the outcome of the war after Howe’s Army retreated behind the strong defenses of New York City. Instead, he had to wait for Howe to make a move and prayed for the arrival of French soldiers and the French Navy to make a break through the British blockade. France was to play the deciding role in the Revolution.

Despite the newfound strength of the U.S. Army, Washington simply did not have enough men to win the war on his own. Only French help could end the war in America’s favor. Although it was against his nature, Washington surrounded New York City and waited for the British to make the next move.

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B. American Forces 1778-1779:

The nature of the war changed during the fighting seasons of 1778-1779. Neither side could gain a serious advantage over the other. Washington and the American forces did not have enough men or help from France to break the British blockade or force the British to abandon New York City. Instead, Washington decided to hold his army together and to keep the British pinned down to the cities and coastline. The British continued to use its unchallenged navy to raid American towns and cities, but could not attack in force with a large army anywhere.

Parts of the Continental Army and militia forces were sent to the frontier areas in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio to support the westward movement of American settlers and to claim as much land as possible before the war came to an end. Washington knew that the United States would be able to keep all lands that it conquered during the war if he was able to defeat the British.

Washington also wanted to destroy strong Native tribes (such as the Iroquois in New York) and to clear Iroquois lands for future settlement. He knew that some of the Iroquois remained allies with the British and supplied British soldiers with food. General John Sullivan was sent into present day Central New York and he succeeded in destroying the Iroquois Nation during the summer and fall of 1779. Sullivan found a very effective strategy – burn the Iroquois food supply. During the winter of 1779-1780, many Iroquois starved to death.

Some historians believe that Washington’s invasions into Native territories earned him the nickname “Village Burner” with Natives (many of whom had wanted to stay neutral during the war). The Iroquois were not alone in their support of the British. Britain convinced many Natives that an American victory would mean more white settlers moving west and taking their lands.

In the South, the British won the support of several powerful Native tribes and encouraged them to attack settlements on the frontier. The Cherokee Nation attacked many settlements, forcing the Southern States to keep militia forces at home instead of sending them to help General Washington. Spain helped the United States by attacking and capturing British forts on the Gulf of Mexico and drove Britain from Florida.

In Ohio, the United States was lucky to have a very capable leader and frontiersman – George Rogers Clark. With the aid of the Miami Nation, Clark used surprise attacks and tricks to force three British forts to surrender. Clark’s victories gave the United States control over the Ohio Valley Region that Americans had so desperately wanted to settle before the war and drove the British from the Valley.

On the seas, only one American Navy officer was able to have any notable success against the British. John Paul Jones terrorized British merchant ships and won a lone American victory against a British warship – refusing to surrender even though his smaller ship was on fire and sinking. When called on to surrender, Jones is said to have replied, “I have not yet begun to fight!” Jones won the fight and took the British ship as his own.

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Other American captains were hired by Congress as “privateers” or commanders of privately owned warships. The privateers proved to be quite a headache for the British. Individual American ships attacked and captured British merchant ships whenever and wherever possible. Large amounts of supplies were often captured – hurting the British war effort and economy and forcing Britain’s Navy to spend much of its time chasing privateers or escorting merchant ships. The lack of true warships, however, meant that the U.S. still could not break the British blockade of its coastline.

EFFECTS: America’s war against the British on the frontier and on the seas did not produce major victories that suddenly changed the course of the war. Instead, attacks in the west and at sea kept Britain from being able to concentrate its full strength on Washington and the other American forces in the East. The attacks also made the British blockade difficult to enforce and forced the British to spend even more money. Finally, victories in the West meant that the United States would have strong land claims and could expand westwards after the war.

C. British Forces in 1778-1779:

After the loss of an entire army at Saratoga, the British were both shocked and limited in their ability to fight in America. The American alliance with France sparked another war in Europe and Britain began to fight many nations around the world again – just as in the French and Indian War. The cost of the war began to drain the British Treasury at an alarming rate and Britain had no more forces to send to America. The Prime Minister and Parliament agreed that time was running out. Britain needed to find a way to win or it would be forced to abandon the war in America in order to concentrate on events in Europe and India.

EFFECTS: Britain concentrated on holding New York City and other coastal cities. The British Navy was used to launch raids and surprise attacks while British commanders tried without much success to pin Washington down and destroy the Continental Army. British attempts to make Native alliances and to use Loyalists in the Middle Colonies also failed and Britain suffered several defeats in the frontier regions. By the end of 1779, Britain began to shift its focus on the war – targeting the Southern Colonies for 1780. Perhaps, thought the British, the Loyalists of the South could give Britain a boost in strength.

John Paul Jones George Rogers Clark (in later life) General John Sullivan“Father of the United States Navy” U.S. General on the Western Frontier Leader of the “Sullivan Campaign” against

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The Iroquois in 1779Orders of George Washington to General John Sullivan , at Head-Quarters May 31, 1779

“The Expedition you are appointed to command is to be directed against the hostile tribes of the Six Nations of Indians, with their associates and adherents. The immediate objects are the total destruction and devastation of their settlements, and the capture of as many prisoners of every age and sex as possible. It will be essential to ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their planting more.”

“I would recommend, that some post in the center of the Indian Country, should be occupied with all expedition, with a sufficient quantity of provisions whence parties should be detached to lay waste all the settlements around, with instructions to do it in the most effectual manner, that the country may not be merely overrun, but destroyed.”

“But you will not by any means listen to any overture of peace before the total ruinment of their settlements is effected. Our future security will be in their inability to injure us and in the terror with which the severity of the chastisement they receive will inspire them.”

Rough map of the “Sullivan Campaign” into Iroquois Territory

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Review Questions

1. What did the American victory at Monmouth give the United States and what “sign” did the British see in this battle?

2. Why did Washington wish to destroy strong tribes such as the Iroquois?

3. America’s battles on the frontiers and at sea did not produce war changing victories, but they did:

4. Why did Great Britain need to find a way to win the war after the events of 1777-1778?

5. What made the British shift the focus of the war to the South in 1779 and 1780?

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Name: _____________________________ Social Studies Seven/PD: _____Chapter Six/Part Six – The War Ends in the South

VI. The War Ends in the South

A. Britain Goes on the Offensive:

Britain abandoned Philadelphia by the end of 1778 and prepared a new strategy that was designed to gain the support of Loyalist Americans in the Southern States. In late 1778 and early 1779, Britain decided to use its navy to transport an army under one of Britain’s best generals, Lord Cornwallis, to attack the Southern cities of Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. The movement of this army was designed to:

- Force Washington and the American Army to move south to meet the new threat or place Washington between British forces in New York City (held by General Clinton) and General Cornwallis in the south

- Give Britain time to recruit southern Americans still loyal to the King (Loyalists) into the British Army to replace the losses suffered during 1777 and 1778

- Place Washington on the defensive and relieve pressure on New York City

EFFECTS: Washington was unable to meet this new threat and the United States suffered a series of setbacks throughout 1779 and into 1780.Within a short time, both Savannah and Charleston fell to the British. The surrender of Charleston also resulted in the surrender of an entire American Army of nearly 5,000 men. The surrender of this army was America’s worst defeat in the Revolution.

Cornwallis crushed another army under General Gates, who had once commanded American forces at Saratoga. The British used both their navy and cavalry forces to outmaneuver and outfight the Americans. With the loss of Charleston and the defeat of Gates, the Southern states were under British control and Cornwallis was able to move north to attack Washington. It seemed as if Cornwallis was unstoppable and America was once again in great danger.

B. Betrayal within the American Army:

After the British evacuation of Philadelphia, General Benedict Arnold was placed in command of the city while he was recovering from wounds to his leg at Saratoga (the leg should have been amputated but Arnold demanded that it be set and allowed to heal – shortening his leg by two inches permanently). During this time he married the daughter of a well-known loyalist and was involved in business activities in the hopes of increasing his wealth. These activities led to charges of corruption by city officials and Congress ordered Washington to issue an official letter of reprimand to Arnold. He was then appointed commander of the American fort at West Point, New York.

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Arnold was bitter and deeply angered and by the charges brought against him and felt that he had been passed over unfairly several times for an appointment to command an army. He had been negotiating with and providing plans of American Army positions and movements as early as mid-1779. When he took up his new post at West Point he agreed to weaken the fort and provide plans of its defenses to the British for $20,000 and a command in the British Army.

Washington arrived for a meeting at West Point, New York shortly afterwards only to discover that Benedict Arnold had betrayed the United States. A British attack was also set to happen at the same time that Washington and several other generals were visiting West Point. Only luck saved Washington. A British spy carrying a message from Arnold to the British was captured and Arnold fled before he could be arrested. He became a general in the British Army and returned to fight against the U.S. in the South.

Effects: Benedict Arnold’s betrayal did no serious harm to the United States. In fact, his actions caused Washington and the American Army to become much more careful and to take steps to prevent similar attempts to betray the United States. Arnold, however, became America’s first great villain. When one of his former soldiers was asked what should be done with Arnold when he was captured, he said that Arnold should be hanged. He also added that the leg that had been shot twice when Arnold had bravely led American soldiers into battle should be cut off and given a funeral with full military honors.

C. The War Turns Against Great Britain Again:

Although Britain gained the upper hand in the South in the beginning, several factors began to undermine Britain’s ability to make any further progress. French forces finally began to arrive in strength and joined Washington’s Army. In addition, Washington sent his best general to command American forces in the South – General Nathaniel Greene. Greene worked with several American militia leaders in the south, especially Daniel Morgan of Virginia, Francis Marion (“The Swamp Fox”), and Henry “Lighthorse” Lee.

Together, the American generals used hit and run tactics, ambushes, surprise attacks, and raids to wear down the British. Americans fought much like the Natives that they had fought on the frontier before and during the war. This type of fighting came to be known as “Guerilla Warfare.” The goal was to keep the British in the South long enough to allow another French Army to arrive with French naval forces. With additional forces, Washington and Greene could attack the British from the north and south at the same time.

The type of warfare used by Americans in the South was not designed to defeat the British and force Cornwallis to surrender. Instead, the fighting slowly wore down British forces over a period of months. Britain lost soldiers that it could not replace and British soldiers and officers alike became frustrated over their lack of solid success against the Americans. The only soldiers under Cornwallis that experienced any success were the cavalry forces of General Tarleton and the light infantry soldiers under the command of General Patrick Ferguson. Both of these British Generals were good leaders, had highly motivated men, and were willing to fight like the Americans.

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British plans to gain the help of thousands of Loyalists also failed. Some Loyalists did join the British, but many discovered that remaining loyal to Britain was a very dangerous thing to do in America. The war in the South took on a new and very ugly style – civil war. Patriots and Loyalists attacked each other in towns and settlements all over the South. In many cases, the fighting was no more than murder – catching individual men as they traveled or worked and killing them. In other cases, small groups fought each other, burned homes, and destroyed farms and businesses. Many Loyalists decided that the best course of action was to stay out of the war and remain quiet.

EFFECTS: Despite the setbacks, Cornwallis still fought aggressively. He turned General Tarleton loose on a series of raids and ordered GeneralsTarleton, Ferguson, and Arnold (Benedict Arnold) to chase and destroy any American militia or Army forces in the South. With opposition eliminated, Cornwallis still hoped to move North in an attempt to crush Washington and the American Army between his forces and those of General Clinton in New York City. Although weakened and tired, the British were still dangerous and capable of hurting any American force that they could close with and fight.

D. Cornwallis is Trapped at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781:

In 1780, Cornwallis allowed two parts of his army to move away from his main force on raids. A force of British soldiers and American Loyalists commanded by Colonel Ferguson was surrounded and wiped out at the Battle of King’s Mountain. Shortly afterwards, a second force under General Tarleton was defeated by Daniel Morgan at the Battle of Cowpens. During the battle, Morgan lured some of the best British soldiers in America into a trap. A majority of the British force was killed or captured. Cornwallis realized that he would have to move north and have a British fleet evacuate him to New York City.

Pressured by American attacks, Cornwallis decided to move his army onto the Yorktown Peninsula in Virginia to wait for ships to arrive and move his army north. Washington quickly realized that Cornwallis had made a mistake. He moved the Continental Army and a French Army from New Jersey to Virginia and trapped Cornwallis at Yorktown. At the same time, the British fleet off the Yorktown Peninsula decided to move north to make repairs on ships damaged by a severe storm at sea. Without realizing it, Cornwallis had no support from the British Navy when he needed it most.

Finally, a French fleet arrived off Yorktown and sealed Cornwallis off from any retreat by land or sea. After three weeks of trying to break out of the trap, Cornwallis surrendered his army to Washington on October 17, 1781. Cornwallis knew better than anyone else that his surrender meant the end of the war in America. The world’s greatest power had been defeated by its former American Colonies.

EFFECTS: Any serious hope of a British victory in the Revolution vanished with the surrender of Cornwallis. Britain could not afford to send more forces to America and control its other colonies around the world. Instead, Britain turned to the task of fighting its other enemies in Europe, India, Africa, and the Caribbean Sea.

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E. The Last Two Years of the War and the Treaty of Paris in 1783:

Britain, fighting to preserve and expand its colonies around the world, did not have any forces to send to America after 1781. Although there were some small battles between 1781 and 1783, the British spent the remaining two years of the war in New York City. Washington spent the same years waiting and watching the British outside the city while American diplomats began to work on a peace treaty with Britain in Paris. In 1783, the United States and Great Britain formally ended the Revolutionary War. The 1783 Treaty of Paris:

- Forced Britain to recognize the United States as an independent nation- Gave the United States all lands between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi River (excluding Florida)- Set the northern U.S. border at Canada and the southern border at Florida (which was given back to Spain)- The U.S. agreed to pay for the lost property of Loyalists who had fled the United States

EFFECTS: The U.S. remained an independent nation and faced the difficult task of governing that nation while recovering from war. Britain, although disappointed by the loss of the 13 Colonies, remained the most powerful empire on earth. The conquest of the entire nation of India gave Britain great wealth (eventually more than enough to cover British losses in America). The British Navy still ruled the seas. Britain believed that the United States would eventually collapse and might again become part of the British Empire.

General Nathaniel Greene General Daniel Morgan Henry “Lighthorse Harry” LeeCommander in Chief of U.S. Forces in the South Leader of the U.S. Army at the Battle of the Cowpens U.S. Cavalry Commander in the South

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Francis Marion General Lord Cornwallis British Generals Ferguson and Tarleton – Ferguson commanded“The Swamp Fox” Commander of British Forces British forces at King’s Mountain and Tarleton at CowpensU.S. Militia Commander in the South in the South

Review Questions

1. What were the tactics used by Americans generals in the South designed to do?

2. What did many Loyalists discover about remaining loyal to Britain in America?

3. How did Washington trap Cornwallis at Yorktown?

4. What vanished with Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown?

5. What was Britain forced to do under the Treaty of Paris of 1783?