Transcript Chapter 8

Chapter 8: America Secedes From
the Empire
1775-1783
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer
soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink
from the service of their country; but he that stands it now,
deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” – Thomas
Paine, December 1776
*The purpose of this quote is to raise colonial support and
unity. He wants people to whole-heartedly support the
troops.
Congress Drafts George Washington
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Bloodshed at Lexington + Concord, on April 19,
called the “shot heard round the world”
Result = 20,000 “Minutemen” swarmed Boston
The 2nd Continental Congress was held on May 10,
1775 – all 13 colonies present, meet in order to
raise $ & military (army & navy)
No heavy thought of independence, just wanted
repayment.
George Washington was selected to command army
that was to attack Boston, due to his leadership &
strength of character, he insisted that he not be paid
Political decision to elect George Washington –
New England had most of the army, didn’t want to
make anyone jealous
Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings
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Americans wanted to “patch things up” with
England
Called the War of Inconsistency between April
1775- July 1776
May 1775- Ethan Allen & Benedict Arnold led
small militia in New York, captured Ticonderoga +
Crown Point (upper NY), a valuable store of
munitions
June 1775 – Bunker Hill (actually Breed’s Hill)
3,000 British vs. 1,500 (“Don’t shoot till you see
the whites of their eyes”) By taking the hill, cut off
British assault.
Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings,
cont.
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July 1775 –Continental Congress drafts the Olive
Branch Petition” meant to show loyalty to crown
turned down by George III
August 1775 – King George III declared war
Hessians, soldiers paid to fight, brought in by
British
Many Hessians later stayed in Americas, deserted
British after the war (“Hessian flies”)
The Abortive Conquest of Canada
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October 1775 – English burned Falmouth
(Portland), Maine.
Two-pronged invasion of Canada by colonies –
wanted to gain French support & colony #14
Benedict Arnold’s men reduced to eating dogs &
shoe leather while marching to Quebec, met
with General Richard Montgomery (who had
captured Montreal)
The Abortive Conquest of Canada,
cont.
• Jan. 1776 – British set Norfolk, VA on fire
• Boston evacuated in March 1776 – Evacuation Day
still a holiday in Boston for state employees
• Feb. 1776 – 1,500 loyalists at Moore’s Creek Bridge,
NC – Rebel victory
• June 1776 – against a British fleet at Charleston
Harbor
Thomas Paine Preaches Common
Sense
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There was still no strong want for independence,
eyes opened by burning of towns and the
employment of Hessians
Irish rebels hanged, drawn, and quartered –
American rebels may have to suffer the same
“Common Sense” written by Thomas Paine in 1776
sold 120,000 copies in first month, helped spread
propaganda – called for independence -selfdetermination & democracy
Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism”
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Paine’s work was as compelling as it was
passionate and radical
Called for the creation of a republic (new
kind of political society where power flowed
from the people, not from corrupt monarch)
along with independence
Republican governments in the works since
ancient Greek and Roman civilazations
Ideas resurrected in days of Renaissance
Those who disagreed with Paine desired a
republic ruled by “natural aristocracy” of
talent
Jefferson’s “Explanation” of
Independence
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June 7, 1776 – Richard Henry Lee of VA started the
“independent quote” at Philadelphia Congress,
motion adopted July 2, 1776
Lee’s thoughts were basis for independence on July
2nd – John Adams thought July 2nd would be the
“fire works day”
After June 7th, a committee was formed to write
out statement of independence
Jefferson’s “Explanation” of
Independence, cont.
Declaration of Independence – written by
Thomas Jefferson (physically written out
by Timothy Matlock) – approved by
Congress July 4th, 1776
It said that the reason for the split was
“natural rights” of human kind, called for
all men to be equal.
Jefferson was a slave owner – hypocritical
of “natural rights” he spoke of
Known as “the Explanation of
Independence,” “Shout heard ‘round the
world,” “Mr. Jefferson’s advertisement of
Mr. Lee’s resolution,” and “World’s
Greatest Editorial”
Patriots
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Whigs
American Colonists
Liberal
Radical (extreme liberal)
Favor change
Left side
Younger generation, less rich, less educated
Legislature
Northern areas; Congregationalists
Loyalists
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Tories
American Colonists loyal to Crown (16%)
Conservative
Reactionary (extreme conservative)
South
Right side
Older generation – rich, educated, Anglicans,
traditional
Monarchy
Patriots and Loyalists
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War within war: Loyalists & Redcoats vs.
Patriots
Loyalists = Tories, Patriots = Whigs (named
for opposition factions in Britain)
Many colonists neutral or “on the fence”
The British military able to control areas
when they had major military presence –
militiamen appeared elsewhere
Families split over the issues
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Patriots and Loyalists, cont.
Ben Franklin (Patriot) & illegitimate son William
(Loyalist) (last royal Gov. of NJ)
Loyalists accounted for 16% of American people
Loyalty major virtue – one’s family, friends, & country
Loyalists tended to be conservative Americans (more
wealthy, cultured, older generation), loyalists more
Anglican (Southern) – also in NYC, Charleston, PA &
NJ
“Give me liberty or give me death” – Patrick Henry
Loyalists least numerous in New England, since most
people up north favored self government and were
Congregationalist and Presbyterian, who hated
England.
The Loyalist Exodus
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Patriots attacked Loyalists.
Many Loyalists tarred and feathered – only
some (before declaration of Independence in
1776)
After Declaration, loyalists of Britain seen as
traitors, imprisoned, some even hanged
80,000 George III supporters fled or driven
from colonies, 100,000s of mild loyalists
allowed to stay
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The Loyalist Exodus, cont.
Minorities such as Dutch,
Germans and French, supported
British for religious tolerance.
Estates of fugitives confiscated
and sold – helped w/ costs of
war
Slaves hoped that war would
bring them freedom
At one time, 50,000 loyalist
volunteers at one time bore guns
for British & worked as spies
General Washington at Bay
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British looked to NY (seaports had tons of loyalists)
after Boston evacuation in March of 1776
British fleets landed in July 1776 – 500 ships –
35,000 men, as Washington had 18,000 ill-trained
troops
Battle of Long Island disastrous for colonists –
outnumbered & outgeneraled – Washington fled to
Manhattan.
General Washington at Bay, cont.
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General William Howe – English commander
General Washington crossed the Delaware River at
Trenton on December 26, 1776 – surprised +
captured 1,000 Hessians – “Old Fox” was at the
peak of his military career  Why such a huge
surprise attack on British forces?
Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion
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General (Gentleman Johnny)
Burgoyne’s troops would come
from Canada. General Howe’s
would advance up Hudson River
and, if needed, 3rd unit (under
Colonel St. Leger) would come
from West (to capture the
Hudson River Valley)
Began invasion w/ 1,000 regular
troops – had to chop their way
through the woods
General Howe wanted to attack
Philadelphia (rebel capital)
Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion, cont.
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Washington defeated at Brandywine Creek &
Germantown – went to Valley Forge, PA for winterfrost bitten and starved – Baron von Steuben made
them into “professional army”
St. Leger’s force driven back by rebels -General
Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga on October 17,
1777 to General Gates – made foreign aid welcome
from France-increase colonial spirit.
Revolution in Diplomacy?
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France eager to help Americans, saw it as a way to
get back at British– “marriage” with America =
convenience
French supplied America w/ gunpowder & other
goods
90% of gunpowder used in 1st 2½ years from France
1778 – Treaty of alliance w/ Americans – offered
independence – both would fight ‘til US had freedom
from British rule
1st entangling alliance America had to deal with as a
new nation, and Revolutionary War became a world
war
The Colonial War Becomes a Wider
War
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Spain entered w/ Holland against Britain in 1779 –
theirs + French fleets outnumbered, out-powered
GB’s
War being fought in Americas, the Caribbean, Asia,
& Europe
Didn’t win war until it became world affair – too
much for Britain to handle
The Colonial War Becomes a Wider
War, cont.
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1778-1783 French provided rebels with money,
equipment, a navy and provided half of the armed
forces. British evacuated from Philly to concentrate
on NYC
1/3 Hessians deserted redcoats at battle in
Monmouth, NJ (1778) –many died from sunstroke
Blow and Counterblow
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1780- 6,000 French troops arrived
in Newport, RI (commanded by
Comte de Rochambeau)
Some people were suspicious of the
French, as they used to be enemies,
minor fights occurred between the
allies.
1780 Benedict Arnold became a
traitor when he sold out West Point
to the British for a price of 6,300
pounds and an officer’s
commission.
Blow and Counterblow, cont.
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Georgia was overrun in 1778-1779 by British
Charleston, South Carolina fell 1780– result =
intensified rivalry between loyalists + patriots,
resulting in cold blooded murders.
Nathaniel Greene (“fighting Quaker”) would lose
battles but win campaigns, succeeded in removal of
British troops from Georgia and South Carolina.
The Land Frontier and the Sea Frontier
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Indians loyal to George III were scalping for
bounties
Two nations of Iroquois Confederacy (Oneidas and
the Tuscaroras) sided with the Americans.
Four nations of Iroquois Confederacy joined British
(Senecas, Mohawks, Cayugas, Onondagas) lead by
Mohawk chief Joseph Brant
1784 Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1st treaty between US
and an Indian nation) was signed by the pro-British
Iroquois in which they ceded most of their land for
peace.
The Land Frontier and the Sea
Frontier, cont.
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Privateers = “legalized” pirates on the seas (paid),
over 1,000 privateers with “sailors of fortune”
captured 600 British prizes (as British privateers did
likewise). Brought in needed gold, harassed the
enemy, raised American morale with victories
Scottish Privateer John Paul Jones said in a sea
battle, “I have not yet begun to fight”
George Rogers Clark: well known frontiersman,
came up with the idea to float down the Ohio River
with 175 men to attack and capture the forts of
Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes.
Yorktown and the Final Curtain
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1780-1781 high inflation of currency, almost caused
the government to GO bankrupt
Disunion was increasing, mutiny in military loomed.
Admiral de Grasse (French) promised to help attack on
Cornwallis
Washington marched 300 miles to Yorktown w/
Rochambeau’s army while de Grasse blocked the sea
Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781
PM North gave up, but George III didn’t want to
accept it – fighting continued even after Yorktown –
British troops remained in US
Peace at Paris
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Lord North’s ministry fell in March 1782 –
temporary end on George III’s rule
“Whig” ministry replaced Lord North’s for a while
3 Patriots in Paris – Ben Franklin, John Adams &
John Jay consulting w/ French about being
independent – Jay didn’t trust the French
Britain Peace Treaty– preliminary signed in 1782 –
final peace: Treaty of Paris 1783– independence of
the states, generous boundaries, loyalists not to be
persecuted, property of loyalists to be restored
A New Nation Legitimized
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Britain “seduced” America
from an alliance with France
– Whig government was
nicer to America than Tory
government
Americans finally had
“freedom” from mother
country
Political
• 2nd Continental congress
• Breeds Hill/ Bunker Hill
• Olive Branch petition
• Common Sense
• Declaration of Independence
• Patriots
• Loyalist
• Benedict Arnold becomes traitor
• Peace of Paris
Social
• Republican Motherhood
• Privateering
• War
• Loyalist vs. Patriots
• Peace of Paris
• Common Sense
• Declaration of Independence
Economic
• War
• Benedict Arnold becomes traitor sells
Hudson Valley and W. Point
• Common Sense
Key Figures
• Thomas Paine
• Nathanael Greene
Thomas Paine
• When 1737– 1809
• Where: Philadelphia
• Who: Pamphleteer/ Patriot
Wrote…
• Common sense 1776
• The Crisis 1776
• The Rights of Man 1791
• The Age of Reason
Thomas Paine, cont.
How
• Failed out of school
• Excise tax officer
• Met Ben Franklin who helped him migrate
to America
• Wrote Phamplets to gain support for war
• Deist + idealist
• Liberal
Nathaniel Greene
When 1742-1786
Where Rhode Island
Positive
• General of the Continental Army
• Cleared a majority of GA and SC of British
troops
Nathaniel Greene, cont.
Facts
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Raised as a Quaker, which led to the ironic
nickname (“The Fighting Quaker”)
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Entered the military at the lowest rank, and
returned as the most dependable and talented officer
of George Washington
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Known for his delay strategies of standing at battle
and retreating (fatigued the British General Cornwallis
and his own militia)
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Although Green won many campaigns, but lost
many battles, he still had a major role in the
Revolution