Terms and People blockade – the shutting off of a port by ships to keep

people or supplies from moving in or out

mercenary – soldier who serves another country for money

How did the American Revolution begin?

The battles of Lexington and Concord hardened the resolve of both the colonists and the British.

Both sides believed their cause was just. Both sides hoped the other would give in quickly. But both sides prepared for war.

The battles between the colonists and British troops sent shock waves throughout the colonies.

Colonial leaders held the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia in May 1775 to discuss the crisis.

Lexingtonand

Concord

The Congress took quick action to meet an immediate need—defense.

The delegates established the Continental army and chose George Washington as its leader.

Congress decided to pay for the army by printing paper money, an important power of government.

Some delegateswanted to cut

ties with Britainand declare

independence.

Others stillhoped to compromiseand makepeace.

The delegates were divided, however, about what actions to take next.

These early divisions among the delegates reflected the divisions among the colonists themselves.

Patriots

Favored independence

and werewilling tofight for it

Loyalists

Remainedloyal toBritain

andthe king

As many as one third of the colonists were Loyalists.

• people from wealthy families

• government officials

• enslaved African Americans

• Native Americans

Loyalistsoftenincluded:

Most colonists, however, were Patriots.

Yet even Patriot leaders could not agree on the best way to deal with the crisis. Congress extended an “olive branch” to the king in July 1775.

Olive BranchPetition

Stated the colonists were loyalto the king and wanted to reach

a peaceful settlement

That same month Congress also issued a warning.

Declaration of theCauses and Necessities

of Taking Up Arms

Stated the colonists were ready to die

for their cause

King George III ignored the Olive Branch Petition and declared that the colonies were in open rebellion.

Parliament voted to send 20,000 troops to the colonies to end the uprising.

The Americans won an important early victory at Fort Ticonderoga, where Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys surprised the British and captured the fort.

Fort Ticonderoga

gave theAmericans

• control over a route to Canada

• cannons and other weapons

In Boston, Americans clashed with British troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775.

The Americans held Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill. From there, they could shoot at British ships in the harbor.

British troops marched up the hill, determined to capture the high ground.

No one knew how the untrained American volunteers would hold up against the tough British soldiers.

But the Americans held off two attacks, losing a third only after running out of ammunition.

The British won the battle, but lost many troops.

After a difficult journey the cannons arrived, and Washington was finally able to drive the British from Boston.

Washington sent for the cannons that had been captured at Fort Ticonderoga.

Despite these early American victories, the British still held many advantages.

• They controlled the most powerful navy in the world.

• They hired mercenaries to help fight.

After a failed invasion of Canada, the Americans knew they were facing a long and difficult struggle.

6.2 Objectives Find out how Thomas Paine stirred support for

independence.

Understand the meaning and structure of the Declaration of Independence.

Learn how Congress finally agreed to separate from England.

Terms and People Thomas Paine – American colonist and author of

Common Sense

Richard Henry Lee – delegate who introduced a resolution calling for independence to the Second Continental Congress

resolution – formal statement of opinion

preamble – introduction

grievance – formal complaint

Why did many colonists favor declaring independence?

By 1776, tension filled the colonies. The king had declared the colonists to be in open rebellion. Battles had been fought, and soldiers had died.

Still, the path ahead was not clear. Though blood had been shed, many colonists still hoped for peace.

Patriots LoyalistsUndecided

As 1776 began, most colonists were neither Patriots nor Loyalists. They were in the middle, torn about what to do.

That soon began to change. In January 1776, a colonist named Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet that received wide attention.

In Common Sense, Paine made powerful arguments in favor of independence.

George IIIis a

“royalbrute.”

Kingsshould notrule overpeople.

Americansshould govern

themselves.

Common Sense became a bestseller, and public opinion began to shift.

More colonists began to favor independence. So, too, did their representatives in the Second Continental Congress.

Number ofcolonistsfavoring

independence

In May, Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution declaring that the colonies should be free and independent states.

Congress formed a committee to write a statement explaining the reasons for independence.

The statement would be presented to Congress, then the question of independence would be put to a vote.

Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were appointed to the committee.

Jefferson wrote most of the document, which would become the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence begins has four parts, beginning with a preamble.

Preamble

Declaration of

Natural Rights

List of Grievances

Resolution

of Independence

The preamble states the reason for writing the document—to explain why the colonists were breaking ties with Britain.

To begin the explanation, Jefferson declared that everyone has unalienable rights.

Preamble

Declaration of

Natural Rights

List of Grievances

Resolution

of Independence

Governments are created to protect those rights.

If a government violates those rights, the people must change their government.

The British government, Jefferson argued, had violated the colonists’ rights.

Preamble

Declaration of

Natural Rights

List of Grievances

Resolution

of Independence

To prove this, he presented a long list of grievances, including that the colonists were:

• denied trial by jury

• taxed without their consent

Therefore, Jefferson concluded, the colonies are free and independent states.

Preamble

Declaration of

Natural Rights

List of Grievances

Resolution

of Independence

All ties between the colonies and the British government are now dissolved.

The Declaration of Independence was approved by Congress on July 4, 1776.

Americans still celebrate July 4th as Independence Day.

Today, the Declaration of Independence remains a source of inspiration for Americans and for people around the world.

For Americans in 1776, however, declaring independence was a serious and frightening step.

The way ahead was dangerous, but there was no turning back. Americans were now fighting to create their own nation.

The colonists were challenging one of the most powerful nations in the world—and risking their lives.

All Men Are Created Equal

Who did this apply to?

Women? Were all men

equal? Does this

mean that slavery is abolished?

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

All Men are Created Equal

Neither the Constitution drafted in 1787 nor the Bill of Rights even include the word equality much less provide a specific guarantee of it.

Part I Preamble:

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Preamble Questions

According to the preamble, what is the goal of the writers?

Why are they writing this document? Make a prediction of what will come

next in the document based on what you have read in the preamble.

Beliefs

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.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. ...The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.

Grievances

He has combined with others to subject us... to their Acts of pretended legislation: For

quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our consent: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our

most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

Attempts to Address Grievances

In every stage of these Oppressions, We have petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

Declaring Independence

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Objectives

Discover the results of fighting in the Middle States.

Understand why the Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the American Revolution.

Learn how foreign nations and volunteers helped the Americans.

Terms and People

Nathan Hale – Connecticut officer and American spy who was executed by the British

mercenary – soldier who is paid to fight for a country other than his or her own

alliance – formal agreement between two powers to work together toward a common goal

Marquis de Lafayette – French noble and high-ranking officer in Washington’s army

Terms and People (continued)

cavalry – units of troops on horseback

Friedrich von Steuben – German baron who helped train the Continental army

How were the early years of the war a critical time?

In 1776, Americans declared their independence. But they were not yet free.

First, they had to defeat one of the world’s most powerful nations.

Declarationof

Independence

As the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, a large British fleet landed in New York.

The fleet was commanded by Sir William Howe.

Howe gathered his forces on Staten Island and prepared to attack the Continental army.

George Washington expected the attack. But his troops were no match for the British.

Americans British

• 20,000 poorly trained volunteers

• No navy

• Little equipment; few supplies

• 34,000 professional soldiers

• Navy fleet; 10,000 sailors

• Well equipped; fully supplied

In a series of battles and American retreats, the British drove Washington from New York, across New Jersey, and into Pennsylvania.

Americans British

Spirits were low, and many soldiers deserted.

To boost morale Thomas Paine wrote another pamphlet, The Crisis, urging Americans to fight for their cause.

Though his army was battered, Washington rallied his troops for a surprise attack.

On Christmas night, Washington crossed the Delaware, slipping into New Jersey. His army defeated Hessian mercenaries and British troops in two key battles.

Battle ofTrenton

Battle ofPrinceton

Another American victory soon followed.

The British had planned to push toward Albany, New York, from three directions.

British Albany,New York

NewEngland

They hoped to cut New England off from the rest of the colonies.

British

Bri

tish

Two forces never arrived. The third, coming from Canada, was led by British general John Burgoyne.

Americans led by General Horatio Gates surrounded Burgoyne’s troops at Saratoga, New York.

Battle ofSaratoga

After suffering heavy losses, Burgoyne surrendered.

The Revolutionary War, 1775–1777

Battle of Saratoga

The Battle of Saratoga proved to be a turning point for the Americans.

• ended British threat to New England

• lifted Patriot spirits

• convinced Europeans Americans could win

Soon after Saratoga, France agreed to support American independence.

UnitedStates

France formsan alliance withthe Americans

Eager to weaken Britain, France took the war to Europe, forcing the British to fight on many fronts.

European volunteers from many nations made key contributions to the Patriot cause.

Poland

ThaddeusKosciusko

Militaryengineer

Poland

CasimirPulaski

Cavalryexpert

France

Marquis deLafayette

Officer inWashington’s

army

Friedrich von Steuben, a German baron, helped train American troops and build the Continental army into a more effective fighting force.

Despite Patriot advances, the winter of 1777–1778 was difficult.

Washington and his troops faced terrible hardships at Valley Forge. They had little warm clothing, and almost no food. Many died.

Yet spring finally came, and the army slowly regained strength for the battles ahead.

Section Review

Know It, Show It QuizQuickTake Quiz

How did the effects of the war widen?

While Continental soldiers faced battle in the thirteen colonies, many people in other places also felt the war’s effects.

American Revolution

NativeAmericans

AfricanAmericans

WomenWesternsettlers

African Americans fought on both sides during the American Revolution.

African AmericansPatriots British

Some enslaved people also supported the Americans after escaping from their owners.

Free African Americans fought for the Patriots from the beginning, seeing action at several key battles.

• Lexington and Concord

• Bunker Hill

• Saratoga

If they fought for the British, however, enslaved people were offered something of immense value.

Freedom

To gain their freedom, thousands of enslaved Americans fled their owners and joined the British.

At first, George Washington refused to accept African American soldiers.

Washington reversed his policy, however, after so many African Americans began to join the British forces.

By the end of the war, more than 7,000 African Americans had fought for the Patriots.

Women, too, were affected by the war, often taking on new responsibilities.

Men who enlisted wereaway for atleast one year

At home, women:

• planted crops

• tended livestock

• ran businesses

Some women followed their husbands into battle.

They provided supplies, food, and water. They cared for the wounded.

Some, like Molly Pitcher, stepped in to fight when her husband fell.

Soldiers and civilians alike were affected by the financial burdens of paying for the war.

• Congress printed continentals to pay expenses, but the money soon lost its value.

• Congress had no power to tax, and the states had little money.

Am

ou

nt

pri

nte

d

Continental

Continental

Continental

Continental

Valu

e

Those on the western frontier also felt the war’s effects.

Most Native Americans sided with the British, fearing an American victory would bring more settlers onto their lands.

BritishNative

Americans

Many Indian groups, however, were bitterly divided about which side to support. Some split into warring factions.

Native Americans

InfightingWestern

raidsSmallpox

A deadly epidemic added to the crushing effects of war.

George Rogers Clark pushed west to strike British forts on the frontier.

Clark won key battles against the British and their Native American allies.

These victories allowed settlers to remain on the frontier.

Clark and other Americans were given help by the Spanish, who declared war on Britain in 1779.

PatriotsSpanish

Bernardo de Gálvez, the governor of Louisiana, played a key role in Spanish attacks that captured British forts along the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico.

British

Spanish

Gálvez also gave refuge to American ships in New Orleans harbor.

The Americans needed the help. Their small navy was no match for the British fleet, which dominated the seas.

Thirteencolonies

British ships blockaded most American ports

A much-needed naval victory was won off the English coast when John Paul Jones refused to give up a long and difficult fight, forcing a British ship to surrender.

Privateers also helped the Americans, seizing supplies and goods from British merchant ships.

How did the Americans win the war and make peace?

Armed with a new battle plan, the British were determined to finally end the rebellion.

For a time, it seemed they might succeed. But the Americans fought on, still believing in victory.

After losing New England, the British tried to win the war by capturing the South, then marching north.

Charles Cornwallis, the British commander, seemed unstoppable as he swept through Georgia and into the Carolinas.

North Carolina

Charles Towne,South Carolina

Savannah,Georgia

American Francis Marion, called the Swamp Fox, used hit-and-run guerrilla tactics to slow the British.

But the British kept pushing on, battle after battle.

Helping the British was the American traitor Benedict Arnold.

Benedict Arnold

Patriot

• had fought bravely for the Patriots

• plotted to give West Point to the British

• led Loyalist raids in Virginia

Finally, American forces rallied at two key battles in South Carolina.

Cowpens

KingsMountain

Frontier fighters defeated British and Loyalist troops atop Kings Mountain

Nathanael Greene split his army in two; the western force under Daniel Morgan defeated British fighters

The War in the South, 1778–1781

Weakened, Cornwallis continued the march north, into Virginia.

At the same time, Washington rushed to Virginia with American and French troops.

At Yorktown, Cornwallis moved his main army onto the peninsula.

But Cornwallis soon realized that he was trapped.

He believed that the British naval fleet could reinforce his position there.

American and French troops arrived, blocking an escape by land.

The French fleet also arrived, blocking an escape by sea.

On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered.

The long war for independence was finally over. Now, it was time to make peace.

Paris,France

Americandelegation

BenjaminFranklin

John Adams

Britishdelegation

Peace talks between the two sides were held in Paris, France.

The talks resulted in the Treaty of Paris. The treaty was approved by Congress in April 1783.

Treaty of Paris

• Britain recognized American independence.

• Both sides agreed tonew U.S. boundaries.

North America in 1783

The boundaries of the new nation were:

• Canada on the north

• the Mississippi River on the west

• Florida on the south

Florida was returned to Spain.

For many, it seemed the impossible had happened. How had the Americans defeated one of the most powerful nations in the world?

patriotic spirit

advantage of fighting on home ground

skilled leadership

help from abroad

The immediate effect of the Revolution was to create a new nation—the United States of America.

The nation was made up of thirteen independent states, linked by custom and history.

The long-term effects of the Revolution, however, continue today.

AmericanRevolution

• The ideals of equality and liberty continue to gain broader meaning.

• The Revolution has inspired independence movements around the world.