Warm-up

There were the two Continental Congresses,

what were the accomplishments of both?

The 2nd Continental Congress

2nd C.C.- (starts May 1775)1.Created the Continental Army (G.W. in charge)2.Sent the Olive Branch Petition3.After this the 2nd CC -started to print money and prepare for war4. The Congress also drafted the Declaration of Independence (July 1776)

Strengths and Weaknesses of Britain

Strengths Weaknesses

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Continental Army

Strengths Weaknesses

Picking sides

• Loyalists supported Britain.

• Patriots supported the war effort

• Uncontested means that they haven’t picked a side yet.

What’s going on in the colonies???

• The Continental Congress has to figure out how to convince the uncontested colonists how to join the war effort.

What are the pros and cons of joining the war effort

What’s going on in the Colonies…

• The Continental Congress started to govern the colonies and organize the Continental Army.

• The Olive Branch Petition-was a final offer to the king to avoid war with the colonies. King said NO!

• Thomas Paine published “Common Sense.” It argued that the colonies should break away from the king. Millions read it. It becomes a best seller.

The Declaration of The Declaration of Independence Independence

In June of 1776, the Committee of Five (Members from The Second Continental Congress) decided to draft The Declaration of Independence. They assigned Thomas Jefferson to write the first draft.

John Adams- MassBenjamin Franklin-Penn Thomas Jefferson-VirginiaRobert Livingston-N.Y.Roger Sherman-Conn. * The "Committee of Five"

The The DeclarationDeclaration of of IndependenceIndependence

Four Parts of the Four Parts of the Declaration Declaration

1) 1) Preamble Preamble (Introduction)(Introduction)

This justified the This justified the rebellion rebellion

2) Rights (this lists what We Want):

The Declaration of The Declaration of Independence Independence

3)Grievances against Great Britain (What We DO NOT Like)

The Declaration of The Declaration of Independence Independence

4) Proclamation of a New Nation (Conclusion)

We consider ourselves a separate nation (U.S.A.)

We will sacrificeeverything (lives/fortunes) for freedom!

"Spirit of '76." Copy of a painting by Archibald M. Willard, 1876.

The The DeclarationDeclaration of of Independence Independence

Declaring IndependenceAmerica declares themselves an independent nation,but this begins a new chapter of hardships for the colonists.

Warm-up

What are the 4 parts of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer

1)Preamble (introduction)2)Rights (what we want)3)Complaints (what we do not like)4)Proclamation of a New Nation (conclusion)

Britain's War Strategy, split the colonies in New York. Britain wants to split the colonies in half for these reasons:

1) Stop communication2) Stop goods from moving3) Stop troop movement

Foreign Aid:Help From Spain

•Wanted to expand their empire

• they declared war against Britain in 1779, they secretly provided money and weapons to Americans.

Foreign Aid:Help From France

•Angered by the loss in French and Indian War France declared war on England•Sent money, weapons and troops to Patriots

FYI: The Netherlands also helped the Patriots by selling cheap supplies

Warm-up

What foreign nations helped the Americans

during the war?

Answers

Spain-money and munitions

France-money, equipment and troops

The Netherlands-sold the Patriots cheap supplies

Fighting moves south

•The British took control of Georgia•The British capture Charles Town and then the rest of the state•The Americans started using guerilla tactics •Francis Marion led his troops through the swamps (Swamp Fox)

The Battle of YorktownThe Battle of Yorktown

Summary of Yorktown…

• 4 groups surrounded and attacked the British post at Yorktown. They were Washington, Wayne, Rochambeau (the American French Army) and de Grasse (the French fleet)

• The British (under Cornwallis) were cut off from reinforcements and were forced to surrender

• The British decided to end the war

Yorktown shows war is Yorktown shows war is too costly for British to too costly for British to

pursue.pursue.

Warm up:

• Name the British general and the battle where the British surrendered to end the American Revolution.

Answer:

• General Cornwallis• Battle of Yorktown

The Treaty of Paris

September 3, 1783

Treaty of Paris (unfinished painting -- from left to right) John Jay, John

Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple

Franklin. The British commissioners refused to pose, and the picture was

never finished.

April 1782 – John Jay, Ben Franklin, &John Adams represent the U.S. (Six Months to agree!)

1) Great Britain recognizes the U.S. as a free nation

2)Land Includes: From the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River Up to Canada, down to Spanish Florida

3) British withdraw troops from the colonies

4) British merchants can collect $ Americans owe

Warm up: The Treaty of Paris was signed to end the American Revolution. What were the terms of the Treaty of Paris?

Answer:

-British troops leave the colonies

-U.S. gains land East of Miss. River, up to Canada, and down to Spanish Florida

-U.S. repays prewar debt to merchants

-U.S. is a country