The War for Independence Overview 1 Home

The War for Independence Overview 1

Home: Interactive Menu Diagrams – Causes of the Revolution – Terms of the Treaty of Paris Charts – Strengths and Weaknesses: The Colonists – Strengths and Weaknesses: The British – Key Battles in Brief Historical Connections – Financing War 2 – Veterans’ Benefits

*Click titles for further explanation New Taxes End of Salutary Neglect Enlightenment Ideas Proclamation of 1763 The French and Indian War 3 Causes of the American Revolution Colonial Publications/ Propaganda

Effects of the French and Indian War British Point of View Colonial Point of View By the end of the French and Indian War, Britain’s empire in America had doubled in size, and so had their national debt! After participating in the war, colonists saw the British – and themselves – in a whole new light: With more territory to defend, the cost of governing the empire would surely increase that debt. Colonists gained the military experience needed to defend their own interests in North America. They desperately needed to find a way to keep the peace AND raise cash! They also gained confidence – early defeats showed colonists that the British were not invincible. To achieve both of these goals, the British government began enacting new taxes and other laws intended to tighten their control over the colonies. Fighting together against a common enemy helped foster a sense of unity among the colonies. 4 BACK to Causes

The Proclamation of 1763 • Britain adopted this proclamation to secure peace with angry American Indians who were willing to fight to keep their lands. • It forbid colonists from crossing the Appalachian Mountains and settling the Ohio River Valley. • From the colonists’ point of view, access to that territory was the reason they fought the French in the first place! • Thousands of settlers simply ignored the proclamation, and settled the Ohio Valley anyway. 5 BACK To Causes

New Taxes • Beginning with the Sugar Act of 1764, the British imposed a series of new taxes. • Many colonists believed that these taxes were harsh, punitive, and a threat to their rights and liberties. • Colonists resisted in various ways including written petitions, economic boycotts, blatant defiance of the law, and crowd actions such as the Boston Tea Party. • The more the colonies resisted, the more the British government tried to enforce the new laws. 6 Check Point (? )

Check Point Question • The British believed these taxes were fair and reasonable- Why? 7

Check Point Question • The British believed these taxes were fair and reasonable- Why? From the British perspective, the French and Indian War was fought to protect colonists and colonial interests. In addition, colonists had contributed very little tax revenue compared to those living in England. For many in England, it was about time the colonists began contributing to their own protection and administration! 8 Back to Causes

End of Salutary Neglect • Before 1760, Colonial governments enjoyed a great deal of local autonomy. So when the British began to assert their authority, colonists resisted, pointing to a history of self-rule. • In addition, most colonists viewed themselves as loyal British subjects; They believed, therefore, that they were entitled to the rights listed in Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights and protected under English Common Law. They argued that Britain’s new colonial policy infringed upon those rights. 9 Back to Causes

Enlightenment Ideas • By the 17 th century, a new political philosophy had emerged in Europe. • The ideas expressed during this period, known as the Enlightenment, soon spread to the New World. • The work of Enlightenment thinkers was quoted, and/or referenced in many revolution -era documents including the Declaration of Independence. 10 America’s Founding Fathers were greatly influenced by the writings of philosophers such as Algernon Sidney, John Locke, and David Hume. Back to Causes

John Locke 1632 – 1704 A. D. • When drafting the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson found inspiration in the words of John Locke, an English physician and philosopher. • According to Locke, God gave man: – Rights to life, liberty, and property (which he calls Natural Rights) – the Earth: to use to preserve life – the ability to reason 11

John Locke 1632 – 1704 A. D. • In order to defend their “life, health, liberty, or possessions, ” people entered into a social contract, forming governments that existed – to protect individual rights and – to help resolve conflicts between citizens. • If a government failed in its duties to protect the natural rights of life, liberty, and property, Locke believed the people had a right to overthrow it. 12

John Locke 1632 – 1704 A. D. • In this way, the power of the government does not come from God, but from the consent of the governed. • For Locke, all other political rights (free speech, free press, freedom of religion) depended on a government that guaranteed secure property rights. 13 Back to Causes

Colonial Publications & Propaganda • Printed accounts of events such as the Boston Massacre and persuasive pamphlets and essays played a major role in rallying support for American independence. • Examples include Paul Revere’s engraving of the Boston Massacre and Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense. 14 Back to Causes

What is wrong with this picture? The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street Paul Revere (1770) NEXT 15

What is wrong with this picture? This incident occurred on a cold winter night. The crowd hurled ice and snowballs at the soldiers. In this engraving, however, there is no snow or ice on the ground. The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street Paul Revere (1770) NEXT 16

What is wrong with this picture? According to testimony at the trial, no one ordered the soldiers to shoot. However, the commander shown here appears to be giving that order. The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street Paul Revere (1770) 17 NEXT

What is wrong with this picture? Links to more info A black man named Crispus Attucks was one of the five colonists killed that night. However, all of the dead shown here are white. Back to Colonial Publications Back to Causes Diagram The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street Paul Revere (1770) 18

Common Sense • Common Sense was written anonymously in January 1776. • At a time when reconciliation was still considered a viable option, Common Sense was the first work that openly called for independence from Britain. • Using language that most colonists could understand, it sold nearly 500. 000 copies and sparked debate in taverns and on street corners throughout the colonies. • This pamphlet demonstrates the enormous power of the colonial press to influence public opinion. • Later, George Washington would read Paine's stirring words from The American Crisis --"these are the times that try men's souls"--to rally his troops at Valley Forge. 19 Link to Full Text Back to Publications Back to Causes

The Colonists Strengths Weaknesses They believed they were fighting for a moral cause and that God was on their side. They were fighting a defensive war on their own territory. They had no navy. They had great political and military leadership (Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Greene, Washington, ). They had no professional army; only citizen-soldiers who often left the army to take care of their families and farms. They received much needed aid from Britain’s enemies in Europe*. 20 They were outnumbered! Their weapons and ammunition supplies were limited. The British

The Enemy of My Enemy. . . • The colonies received much needed aid from Britain’s enemies: – Holland sent money and supplies. – Spain sent money and supplies and fought Britain on the Mississippi. • France, however, was probably the colonies’ most important ally. 21

The Enemy of My Enemy. . . • France was the first nation to send money, supplies, troops, and warships. • The French fleet played an important role in the Patriot’s victory at Yorktown. Back to strengths and weaknesses Back to Battles Extra Credit Opportunity: Even before his nation was willing to commit, the Marquis de Lafayette, a French noble, offered his assistance. You can research Lafayette and write a one-page biography to earn up to 20 extra credit points! 22

The Siege at Yorktown Link to Article Link to animated Map Back to last slide viewed 23

The British Strengths Weaknesses They had about 50, 000 well trained, professional soldiers as well as 30, 000 German troops. They had the largest navy in the world. Divided, centralized colonies meant there was no strategic heart at which to strike. The British population was more than three times larger than the colonial population. Vast, unfamiliar terrain, poor roads, and distance from home created logistical problems. Despite the French and Indian War, Britain had considerable wealth. 24 Poor Leadership* Many at home did not support the war effort.

Date Battle Location 4/19/1775 Lexington and Concord W* Mass. 5/10/1775 Fort Ticonderoga N. Y. 6/17/1775 Bunker (Breed’s) Hill Mass. 12/31/1775 Quebec Canada 8/27/1776 to 11/16/1776 Long Island; Harlem; White Plains; Fort Washington N. Y. 12/26/1776 and 1/3/1777 Trenton and Princeton 9/11/1777 and 9/21/1777 Brandywine; Paoli Massacre N. J. Pa. 10/4/1777 Germantown Pa. 10/7/1777 Saratoga N. Y. 6/28/1778 Monmouth * =Colonial victory 25 N. J. =British Victory Significance First armed conflict of the war; British retreat to Boston; militia surround the city, beginning the “Siege of Boston. ” This colonial victory provided weapons used in the Siege of Boston and a staging ground for an invasion of Canada. A costly British victory (more than 1, 000 casualties); The first action of the newly formed Continental Army. The British defend Quebec; the Americans decide to end their attempted invasion of Canada and retreat back to NY. The British take Long Island; After an inconclusive battle at Harlem, Patriots retreat to White Plains, also taken by the British; The British then take Fort Washington; Patriots retreat to NJ. These American victories boosted morale and confidence in Washington’s leadership. After these British victories, Howe occupies Philadelphia; Howe’s absence, however, contributes to a Continental victory at Saratoga. Patriots wanted to punish the British for Paoli; British were able to hold the Americans at bay; Americans pulled back to winter in Valley Forge. This Continental victory convinces the French to enter the war against Britain. Although this battle is a draw, it is a moral victory for the Continental Army. =Draw =Major turning point for the colonies NEXT

Date 5/12/1780; 5/29/1780; 8/16/1780 Battle Location W* Charleston; Waxhaw; Camden S. C. 10/7/1780 King’s Mountain S. C. Significance As the French enter the war, the British shift their focus to the South; With these victories, Britain solidifies its control over the region; Patriots suffer considerable casualties. This battle is as much civil war as revolution, pitting Patriots against Loyalists; It is the first major victory for the Patriots in the south; Cornwallis forced to abandon his invasion of NC. 1/17/1781 Cowpens Patriots capture hundreds of British soldiers; Cornwallis chases Patriot forces to the Virginia border; the chase weakens Cornwallis’ army. S. C. 3/15/1781 Guilford Courthouse N. C. 9/28/1781 to 10/19/1781 * Yorktown =Colonial victory 26 Va. =British Victory Cornwallis takes the field, but his army sustains crippling losses; Patriots and British move in different directions (Patriots go to South Carolina; Cornwallis ultimately ends up at Yorktown, VA. ) Washington’s army and the French fleet surround the main British army in the south. Cornwallis is forced to surrender. This is the key event that leads the British to seek a settlement. =Draw =Major turning point for the colonies Back to Early Battles

Terms of the Treaty of Paris What Did America Gain? What Did America Agree to Do? Independence from Britain Expanded borders* Pay any pre-war debts it owed Britain Fishing rights off the Atlantic coast of Canada 27 Return property to Loyalists Resume trade with Britain

Financing War American Revolution World War II (1775 – 1783) (1939 – 1945) • When Congress ran out of gold and silver, it sold bonds to American investors and foreign governments. • Although America did not enter WWII until late 1941, it supplied the allies with arms through the Lend Lease program. • It also printed paper money called Continentals. • By 1940, defense spending skyrocketed and factories that produced military supplies began hiring at a feverish pace. • With each Continental printed, the value plunged and prices rose (a situation known as inflation). • At the same time, arms and other supplies were scarce. • After the US officially entered the war, the nation’s automobile plants were retooled to produce tanks, planes, and boats. NEXT 28

Financing War American Revolution World War II (1775 – 1783) (1939 – 1945) • Some government officials and corrupt merchants took advantage of the situation through profiteering. • To fight inflation, the government set price controls, raised income taxes, and urged Americans to use any extra cash they had to buy war bonds. • In 1781, a rich Philadelphia merchant named Robert Morris was appointed superintendent of finance. • Morris and his associate, Haym Salomon, were able to raise funds to pay soldiers. • However, by the time the war ended, the new nation owed $80 million in war debts. 29 • The government also set up a system for rationing to conserve goods deemed essential for the military. • By the end of the war, the US had not only come out of an economic depression, it had entered an economic boom.

Veterans’ Benefits Post Revolution Land Grants (1770) G. I. Bill (1944) • In the late 1700 s, there were vast tracts of “unclaimed” land in the United States. • Under this bill, veterans returning from World War II were eligible to receive: • To recruit more soldiers, the Continental Congress promised to award land to those who fought for the revolution. • Veterans would be able to claim their land after the war, provided that the British had been defeated. • Many enlisted in the American military, lured by the prospect of landownership. 30 – paid compensation for one year after they were discharged; – a tuition-free education from a college, university, or trade school; – low-interest loans to start a business or to buy a home. • The benefits had to be used within ten years of the soldier’s military discharge or his removal from active duty. NEXT

Veterans’ Benefits Post Revolution Land Grants (1770) • Thousands of land grants were distributed to veterans, but few were redeemed. • One problem was that some of the land granted to soldiers was inhabited by American Indians who refused to simply hand over their homelands. • After repeated delays in claiming the land grants, many former soldiers sold their claims to speculators for a far lower price than the land’s true value. 31 G. I. Bill (1944) • For most of America, the G. I. Bill was very effective: – 51% of World War II veterans chose to pursue higher education; – Over 2 million took advantage of the no-money down, low interest home loans; – The bill helped America avoid the economic downturn that had occurred after World War I. • Sadly, racial attitudes during this time prevented many African American veterans from taking full advantage of the benefits available to them.

Glossary • Autonomy – n. the power or right of a group to govern itself. • English Common Law – n. the laws that developed from English court decisions and customs and that form the basis of laws in the U. S. • Profiteering – v. selling scarce or defective goods for a profit. • Propaganda – n. ideas or statements that are often exaggerated or false and that are spread in order to help a cause, a political leader, a government, etc. • Salutary Neglect - n. an English policy of relaxing the enforcement of regulations in its colonies in return for the colonies’ continued economic loyalty. 32