america secedes from the empire. it all begins 2 nd continental congress all 13 colonies...
TRANSCRIPT
It All Begins
2nd Continental Congress All 13 colonies represented Hopes that king would remove “Acts”
and began developing ideas to raise money for army/navy
George Washington Elected as Commander of Colonial army
Bunker Hill and Hessian HirelingsLoyalists (Tories) vs. Patriots Fighting continues
Ethan Allen + Benedict Arnold win at TiconderogaColonial victory at Breed’s Hill (aka Bunker Hill)
Colonies had high ground + Britain decided to lead full frontal attack
Lack of supplies hurts the colonial army
Bunker Hill ruined any hope of the Olive Branch Petition Hired Hessians to put down this “rebellion”
Canada Eh?
Colonies begin invasion of Canada Believe it cold be a 14th colony and deprive Britain
of a valuable base Unsuccessful in this mission Able to capture Montreal but not Quebec
Fighting still continues in colonies Forced out of Boston Victories at Moore’s Creek Bridge and Charleston
Harbor
Thomas Pain, Common Sense, and Such
Americans begin to realize the necessity of separating from Britain Burning of Norfolk and hiring the Hessians
Thomas Pain publishes Common Sense Pamphlet that criticized the British gov’t/King (also
called for Republic)Reject monarchy and empire and embrace an
independent republic
First document suggesting American independence as well as constructing foreign policy
Jefferson Explains Independence “these United Colonies are, and of right tough to be, free and
independent states.” Formal adopted “declaration” of independence by Richard Henry Lee
Give Thomas Jefferson responsibility to give written explanation Declaration of Independence Leads to Declaration of the Rights of Man in France
Loyalist Exodus Persecution of Loyalists mild (occasional tarring/feathering) Post Declaration -> harsher punishments
George Washington and the War
Britain focusing on New York (Loyalist support) Colonies outnumbered 18k to 35k
Battle of Long Island -> crushed by British Retreat using nightfall and fog into N.J. and
eventually across DE River
Battle of Trenton Re-crossed the DE River and led surprise attack on
Hessians
Burgoyne’s Invasion Britain has plan to split colonies in 2
Gen. Burgoyne would push inland from Canada, Gen. Howe advance up the Hudson River
Benedict Arnold keeps Britain from recapturing Fort Ticonderoga Slowly advancing Burgoyne + Howe attacks Philadelphia
Howe believes he can clear path for Burgoyne
Washington moves army to Philadelphia -> loses battles at Brandywine Creek and Germantown Britain settles down in Philadelphia leaving Burgoyne by himself
Washington moves men to Valley Forge
Burgoyne ends up surrendering at Battle of Saratoga to Horatio Gates
Diplomatic AffairsFrance wants revenge (suppress Britain from
becoming superpower)Create alliance with colonial forces
Colonies also wanted freedom of trade and of the seasModel Treaty -> treaty with France
No political or military connection -> only a commercial connection
Accept treats, however terms not outlineFrance recognizes American independence Revolutionary War becomes a world war
Colonial War ExpandsColonies + France + Spain + Holland
Catherine the Great of Russia organizes “Armed Neutrality”
War now fought in North/South America, Europe, Caribbean, and Asia
France puts naval ships on coastline to counter British blockadeForces Britain to focus on New York not
PhiladelphiaAttacked by G.W. but escaped -> kept in New
York by Washington
Blow and Counterblow
Comte de Rochambeau + 6k French troops arrive in colonies Morale weakened when Benedict Arnold becomes a traitor
Felt his services were not appreciated Sold out West Point which commanded the Hudson River (6.3k Euros
and officers commission) Plot detected and Arnold fled to British
Britain decides to focus on Southern colonies with plan to move North
Crucial colonial wins in the Carolinas (Gen. Nathanial Greene)
The Land/Sea Frontier Native Americans allied with both sides Treaty of Fort Stanwix
Frist treaty between the United States and an Indian nation
Native Americans ceded most of their land
Revolutionary War did not stop Westward migration
Colonial navy small -> destroyed British merchant ships
Privateers -> “legal” pirates British shippers begin pressuring Parliament to end the
war
The End Inflation of currency continued to increase Cornwallis falls back to Yorktown, VA after
some other defeats Awaiting supplies and back-up troops British navy no longer superior
G.W. marches 300 miles from N.Y. to meet with de Grasse and a French fleet Tag teamed Cornwallis who was now cornered
Cornwallis surrenders troops on Oct. 19, 1781 at Yorktown
Peace at Last Britain was ready to come to peace
Lost territory in the West Indies
3 Americans meet in Paris: Ben Franklin, John Adams, John Jay Asked to make no separate peace and consult with French at all times
France torn on what to do; Spanish interests, etc. John Jay fearful France would help Spain over colonies
Went secretively to Britain
Treaty of Paris (1783) Formally recognized the independence of the United States
Boundaries to Miss. Rvr in West, Great Lakes in North, and Florida in South