America Secedes from the Empire 1775-1783 Flashcards
2nd Continental Congress
It assembled in Philadelphia in May 1775. War had broken out at Lexington and Concord so this Colonial body rep. every colony (except Georgia) and met to know how to respond to this crisis.
Faction #1 in the 2nd Continental Congress
The Independence Faction: felt that the British actions at Lexington and Concord in April required a clean break from the motherland. At this time (May 1775) sentiment for severing ties with Britain was strong only in New England and Virginia. Led by John Adams and supported by cousin Sam Adams (MA), Richard Henry (VA), and Thomas Jefferson (VA). They took things slow though (not breaking away right away) as not to frighten the moderates.
Faction #2 in the 2nd Continental Congress
The Reconciliationist Faction: Wanted to reconcile differences with English. Strongest supporters in Middle Atlantic colonies (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware) and South Carolina. Many relied upon credit supplied by English bankers. The protection afforded to transatlantic trade by the Royal Navy minimized insurance and other overhead costs. Leader= John Dickinson of PA
John Dickinson’s “Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania”
America’s most popular political tract before 1776, which assumed that Parliament, though possessed of the right to regulate trade lacked authority to tax the colonists. By John Dickinson (published 1767).
Olive Branch Petition
(July 1775) was one last attempt by colonial leaders, led by reconciliantionists to avert all out war by bypassing Parliament and addressing the petition directly to the King to repeal the Intolerable acts (May 1774) and end Parliamentary tyranny.
Gen. George Washington
Poor general, but someone people could rally around (so great leader). Washington was from Virginia, the most populous and most important state. A good move to unify the 13 states by tying VA to MA through Washington.
“Common Sense” by Thomas Paine (1776)
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in Jan. of 1776 (7 mo. before Dec. of Independence published). It was written in plain language. Paine argued King was a tyrant too. So, he cut the last thread tying the colonists to England by saying that monarchy by definition was just as unjust as Parliament. Convinced the common ppl to join the colonial elite in the war against England. Also argued it was unnatural for an island to rule a continent.
Declaration of Independence
Mainly the work of Thomas Jefferson and final version was approved on July 2, 1776. It was an official statement that explained the reasons for declaring independence. It was also intended as a unifying statement for those favoring the idea and as an appeal to France to join the American cause against the enemy- England.
“The Wealth of Nations” by Adam Smith
Written by Adam Smith in 1776. A manifesto of economic freedom and individualism.
Battle of Saratoga
September 19, 1777. “The American victory at Saratoga was a major turning point in the war for Independence, heartening the supporters of independence and convincing France to enter in the war as an ally of the fledgling United States.”
1783 Treaty of Paris
While there have been many Treaties of Paris throughout history. The most important in American History is the treaty signed in September 1783 and ratified by Congress in January 1784, which ended the Revolutionary War and granted the United States its independence. It further granted the U.S. all land east of the Mississippi River. While generally accepted, the Treaty of Paris opened the door to future legislative and economic disputes. In the end, France and Spain didn’t receive anything.
