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You Say You Want A Revolution?. In April of 1775, the Battles of Lexington and Concord spurred war to new level Second Continental Congress met the next month Still bent on making amends with Britain. General Washington. George Washington was chosen as the commander of armed forces - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION? In April of 1775, the
Battles of Lexington and Concord spurred war to new level
Second Continental Congress met the next month
Still bent on making amends with Britain
GENERAL WASHINGTON George Washington was
chosen as the commander of armed forces
Mainly because he was from Virginia – pacify the South
Steadfast in his will to win
refused to be paid – there was no money
COMMON SENSE Fighting for over a year before it
became a war for independence Thomas Paine writes and sells
“Common Sense” Printed in 1776 as propaganda to
fight for independence He argued that the king was not
worthy of loyalty Also argued that America was more
valuable to Britain, not other way Also argued for a republican form
of government – radical idea
WHICH HILL? Battle of Bunker Hill in
June of 1775 British controlled Boston Colonials took Breed’s
Hill and fired on British British tried to crush it
and lost. Olive Branch Petition
written and delivered George III refused it
REACTION TO THE BATTLE George III closed
door on reconciliation
Hired some 30,000 Hessians to go to America
The War is on and there is no turning back
ABORTIVE CONQUEST OF CANADA In response to
burning of Falmouth in Maine
General Montgomery took Montreal
General Arnold and Montgomery failed to take Quebec
The had to retreat
PHILADELPHIA CONGRESS DECIDED TO TAKE THE PLUNGE
June of 1776, Richard Henry Lee declared America’s Independence
July 4, 1776, Jefferson’s Declaration was adopted
It was an appeal to the world to back America
Opened the door for alliances
LOYALISTS AND PATRIOTS Most of the aristocracy
remained loyal to the king Only about 20% of
population were Loyalists The South also had a large
Loyalist population Slaves and free Blacks
joined the British to get their independence
Many fled America after the Declaration of Independence
SIGNIFICANT BATTLES Washington
defends New York and New Jersey
Loses most of his battles
In October of 1777, wins the Battle at Saratoga – wins alliances
FRANCE COMES TO THE AID OF AMERICA
Louis XVI doesn’t want a war with England – just embarrass
Franklin and others convince him to send troops and money
More importantly, France sent navy – Mainly to protect West Indies
Formal alliance formed in 1778 Most of Europe aligned with
America – Why? (Armed Neutrality)
Kind of like a world war at this point
THE FRONTIER The Frontier is often
neglected in Revolutionary history.
Indians often sided with Britain in the frontier. Why?
George Rogers Clark helped secure that portion of the battle.
He is one of the original hero “Indian Killers”
NAVAL POWER? America had virtually
no navy to speak of Privateers (pirates)
did most of the damage on merchant British ships
British merchants wanted the war over
YORKTOWN Cornwallis was surrounded
by French navy in Virginia He was also surrounded by
American and French armies
October 19, 1781 – Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown
Fighting went on for more than a year
This defeat forced a settlement
PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE Ben Franklin (PA), John
Adams (MA), John Jay (NY)
Supposed to negotiate with the French
Jay knew French were trying to settle with Spain
Jay defied the Congress and met with England
Peace Treaty signed with London in 1782
PEACE DEAL America got more land than
France wanted them to have England gave up more than
America asked for England maintained trading
privileges with America France got nothing (less
than nothing) Spain got nothing England got nothing
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