The American RevolutionThe Ideological, Military and Diplomatic aspects of the fight for Independence

Standards• SSUSH3 The student will explain the primary causes of the American

Revolution. – c. Explain the importance of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense to the movement

for independence. • SSUSH4 The student will identify the ideological, military, and diplomatic

aspects of the American Revolution. – a. Explain the language, organization, and intellectual sources of the Declaration

of Independence; include the writing of John Locke and Montesquieu, and the role of Thomas Jefferson.

– b. Explain the reason for and significance of the French alliance and foreign assistance and the roles of Benjamin Franklin and the Marquis de Lafayette.

– c. Analyze George Washington as a military leader; include the creation of a professional military and the life of a common soldier, and describe the significance of the crossing of the Delaware River and Valley Forge.

– d. Explain Yorktown, the role of Lord Cornwallis, and the Treaty of Paris, 1783.

Thomas Paine authors “Common Sense”

• Published anonymously January 1776

• At that time, it had the largest circulation of any book in Am. History

• Presented the colonists with a powerful argument for ind. From Britain

Intellectual Sources of the Declaration of Independence

• John Locke (left) and Charles Montesquieu

John Locke

• Lived in England during the height of the Enlightenment. (1632-1704)

• His “Theory of Mind” is often cited as the origins of the modern conceptions of identity and self.

• Most famous work: Two Treatises of Government (Social Contract)

• In TToG he describes the state of nature and argues that all men are created equal by God.

(Charles) baron of Montesquieu

• Lived in France during Enlightenment (1689-1755)

• Extremely influential thinker in French history; his ideas paved the way for French Revolution

• Most famous for his articulation of a Separation of Powers theory (executive, legislative, judicial)

Thomas Jefferson

• Principal author of the Declaration of Independence

• Influence heavily by Locke, Montesquieu and other Enlightenment thinkers

• Supporter of separation of church and state

• Slave owner from Virginia

• Plantation home (Monticello) on back of US nickel.

Preamble to Declaration of Independence

• We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

The French to the Rescue

• After the defeat of the French in the French/Indian War, England con’t to fight France in Europe.

• Spain and the Netherlands also added assistance through funding and ammunition

• Most Indian tribes supported the British cause and were supplied by England to attack colonist using guerilla warfare.

• Americans, French, Spanish, and Dutch vs. British and Native Americans

Benjamin Franklin

• Quaker who helped establish PA as a power-house colony

• Noted Inventor (acquired hundreds of patents)

• Kite-flying w/ the Key• Ambassador to France.

Helped organize military assistance. (Model Treaty)

Look Familiar?

• Eye of Providence

• “The eye of an all-seeing, omnipotent God

• Symbol of the Freemasons in which Franklin was a member.

Marquis de Lafayette• French general who

assisted America in the Revolution– Money, supplies,

troops, naval strength

• Served alongside General George Washington

• Influential in the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown

Statue of Lafayette in D.C.

Look Familiar?

• Fleur-de-lis• Literally

means “Lily”• Staple on

French flag until 1792 revolution

• Current logo of New Orleans Saints

George Washington

• Father of USA• Gained military

experience in the French/Indian War

• Chosen as commander in chief of Continental Army by 2nd Continental Congress.

Crossing the Delaware

• Leutze, 1851. What are the historical inaccuracies in this work?

Answers

• Washington could not have stood as such because of the harsh winter conditions. He would have fallen in the river.

• The crossing occurred at night.• Stars and Stripes Flag was not in

existence at this time.

• Why do you think these anachronisms are included in the work?

Life as a Common Soldier

• Life was extremely rough

• Harsh winter conditions

• Very little supplies and rations

• Army was still in infancy, not much unity at this time

• At left, Washington with troops at Valley Forge, PA

Washington as a War Hero

• Surprise crossing of the Delaware at night on Christmas Day took the British by surprise.

• Washington was then able to easily take the British stronghold of Yorktown, all but securing American victory.

Seige of Yorktown

• British General Cornwallis surrenders to French and American forces at Yorktown, VA October 1781.

• Fighting ended but war not officially over until Treaty of Paris in September 1783.

A gift from France• Statue of Liberty• In her hand, the book is

entitled “1776” in Roman numerals

• Broken chains remain at her feet

• Ellis Island, New York City; would welcome millions of immigrants to American shores