the american revolution ap

The American Revolution1175-1783

Between 1775 and 1787, Americans struggled to win a war, make a peace and create a sound and stable government on both the state and the national levels. At first the colonies were neither prepared for nor united behind fighting a war with

England.http://youtu.be/HwWi0zdF7wk

• In fact, the Revolution encompassed two struggles--a military conflict with Great Britain and a domestic political struggle.

The States United(?)

• Defining Americas War Aim– Second Continental Congress

• --Complete independence? Richard Henry Lee draws resolution

• --Reconciliation? John Dickinson—Olive Branch Petition

•

1776

• Thomas Paine-- Changed peoples mind The King was the problem “the island kingdom of England was no more fit

to rule the American continent, than a satellite was fit to rule the sun”

The Declaration of Independence1776-Thomas Jefferson

• America’s birth certificate• John Locke inspired• Jefferson states all men are equal, unalienable

rights—governments get their power from the consent of the governed, purpose of government is to secure the rights of the people, people have the right to abolish government if government fails to protect rights

Divided America

• Loyalists( stayed, fought, fled, majority??), Patriots and Neutrals

• Articles of Confederation—first gov—loose alliance of states—weak central government—states not willing to give up power

• Real center of authority in the state gov.• Financing the War—very difficult—no power to

tax• Created a Continental army-Washington in charge

American War for Independence

• A modest war• Unusually savage• Guerrilla warfare• Revolutionary

Foreign Assistance

• Marquis de Lafayette Baron F. Von Steuben

Advantages

AmericanHome field advantage

Reason for fightingSupport of the people

BritishLargest army, navy, $, and

manufacturing

Goals & Strategies

• The American Colonies:• --Defensive war• --militia• --home field • The British• --Offensive war• --largest army• --distant war

Breed’s Hill /Bunker Hill-June 1775

Breed’s Hill –Bunker HillBoston

• After the British withdrew from Concord and Lexington, American forces started in on British General Thomas Gage and Howe in Boston.

• “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes” American Gen. Prescott

• http://youtu.be/yHkQCfu2cwc• Heavy loss of life for attacking the British

• Br. General Gage reported to his superiors after the battle “These people show a spirit and conduct against us they never showed against the French”.

• Up to this point, England thought this was perhaps a regional conflict, not a full scale war—after the battle, they thought differently.

• Lost the Hill-heavy loss of life- but found confidence -

The Crisis-Thomas Paine

Trenton and PrincetonNew Jersey

• The Significance: the tide turns, volunteers sign up, Washington becomes the hero

Saratoga

• Hero is Benedict Arnold• French come to our Aid• http://youtu.be/BXBu2NpB8DI

The Final Phrase: The South• War was a stalemate—a war of attrition-Britain

lost in the North East, lost in the Middle colonies—now the South

• Strategy: Conquer an area and put Loyalists in charge -but they over estimated the loyalty of the Loyalists (?)—most were not interested in England, they just wanted to get even with Patriots—settle old scores—fighting becomes vicious (civil war)

• British were constantly harassed by Patriot guerrillas—Francis Marion the “Swamp Fox”

The Great Irony • The British were ready to exploit the

contradiction of the South• What Southerners were fighting for was

freedom, while they enslaved a half million blacks

• Page 170• Racial Manipulation would be used by the

British to destabilize the South and yet in another ironic situation it caused the South to be united in opposition to the British

• The Revolutionary theme of Freedom and Independence meant, in the South, freedom to maintain their Slave system

Gen. Nathaniel Greene

• Remarkable General—knows one doesn’t have to win battles in order to win the War.

• The side that wins the hearts and minds of the South will prevail.

• Military Strategy: make the British presence so unpleasant

• Led the Br. Gen Cornwallis on a 6 month chase through the backwoods of the South

Yorktown Va.http://youtu.be/J_2K7DBrkaM

Treaty of Paris 1783-a generous cession of land

Things to think about

• The American Revolution as a Civil War????

• Patriots vs Loyalists• Colonists were of British origins now fighting

to separate themselves from it

War and Society

• The war had important effects on the nature of American society

• Loyalists: fought, fled, hounded by Patriots• Religious: Anglicans suffered the most,

Quakers because of their pacifism.• Catholics improved their position-supported

the cause and with the French support-they gained support

African Americans

• The war had limited by nevertheless profound significance—freedom for some, for others exposure to the concept of liberty

Women

• Experiene in running farms• Nursing• Involved in some battles• Some expansion of women’s rights

• Economic effects of the war was that it encouraged American economic growth and diversification

Assessing the advantages and disadvantages that affected the

outcome in the Revolutionary war.