American Revolution P2 Flashcards
Purpose of Declaration of Independence
Explains why the 13 colonies wanted independence from Great Britains
Writer of the Declaration…
Thomas Jefferson
Olive Branch Petition
July 5th, 1775
- Final attempt to avoid war between colonies and Great Britain
- Affirmed American loyalty to GB and entreated the King to prevent further conflict
- Rejected
Second Continental Congress
July 1778
- 48 delegates met in Philidelphia
- Committee of 5 responsible for drafting the document for independence
- Declaration of Independence was thus written here
Parts of the Declaration
- Preamble
- Declaration of Natural Rights
- List of Grievances
- Resolution of Independence
Preamble
- Legally and philosophically justifies revolution
- “Now that we’re starting to separate, this is the explanation why”
Declaration of Natural Rights
- How a government should be run
- Reveals the influence of John Locke: civilians have the right to replace the government.
List of Grievances
- Condemns behavior of King George
- Lists their tyrannical actions
Resolution of Independence
- Final paragraph that declares independence
British Army
One of the strongest in the world at the time
To conquer the middle colonies, Britain
launched one of the largest sea and land offensives
British troops consisted of
50k regular troops, 30k German mercenaries
70 regiments
Regiments formed by 50k Loyalists to help maintain control of the colonies
Patriot canons
Enabled Patriots to fortify high grounds South of the city
French reliance
- Their victories convinced the French to publicly support the Patriots cause
- They were loaned money, given crucial military support, and could rely on French for retaliation and control of seas
Patriot national capital
Did not exist: which helped because if It were captured it would end the entire conflict
Patriot war tactics
- Learned from Indian War to use guerrilla tactics
- Strike quickly from behind trees fences before disappearing
- Avoid large scale confrontations and made it impossible for the British to deliver a single knock out blow
Support for Patriots
Transcended social class, religion, and regions.
France, Spain, and Netherland involvement
They all entered the war on the American side, meaning that Britain couldn’t concentrate its forces int he colonies and protect their land in the East Indies and Gibraltar aswell.
Patriots vs Loyalists
Patriots would tar, feather, and murder those who were still loyal to the Crown.
Loyalists & Britain
Britain lacked trust with their Loyalists and ultimately alienated many potential allies
Strategy to get slaves to serve for Britain
backfired because it made many Southern slave owners support the Patriots due to fear of slave emancipation
Washington troop #
- 6,000 those of which had enlistments that were soon to expire.
- He never had more than 20k troops under his command at once
American soldiers were
from early teens to mid 20s, and often were landless, unskilled, indentured servants, slaves, or poor
Battle of Bunker Hill
Where: Charlestown, Boston
When: June 1775
- First major battle of Revolutionary War
- America technically lost but it promoted support for the cause because the British did not further pursue into South Boston and if they did the cause could’ve ended
1776
- Washington abandoned NY, fled throughout NY
- Enlistments expired at the end of 1776
- Congress low on money
- Washington had 2,400 men
- “The Crisis” by “Thomas Paine” –> Battle of Trenton
Battle of Trenton
When: December 26, 1776
Where: Trenton, NJ
Who: Continental Army across the Delaware River to Renton
Results of Battle of Trenton
- One hour battle
- Element of surprise against the Hessians
- Captured nearly nine hundred Hessians and supplies
- Proved that Americans were willing to take a;l means for their independence, and invigorated Americans
- Hessian army was crushed
John Andre
- A British Army officer hung as a spy by the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War for assisting Benedict Arnolds attempted surrender at West Point
- Imprisoned at Tappan, NY, and found guilty on September 20th, 1780. He was found guilty of being in American lines with a “feigned name and disguised habit”
Nathan Hale
- A true Patriot!
- 21 years old - hung in 76 for being a Patriot Spy
Baylor Massacre
When: September 27, 1778
Where: Riverdale, NJ
- British Major-General Charles Gray sent troops into a housing place for soldiers, killed at least 68 colonial soldiers
- British Colonel Baylor, Mayor Mcleod, and two other officers were captured and killed
Baylor Massacre Significance
- Lead to the death of many Continental Army soldiers
- Gave Britain free passage through Bergen County and allowed them to move freely North and South as they pleased
Winter at Valley Forge
When: 1777-1778, winter
Where: Valley Forge in southeastern Pennsylvania
- close to British to keep tabs
Conditions of Winter at Valley Forge
- Washington’s men faced illness, desertions and enlistments ending
- 2,500 of 10,000 died
- Baron von Steuben came to train the army
- They made camp and the results were horrible: food was scarce; harsh conditions; low resources, tight living
Winter of Morristown
When: January 6th, 1776
Where: Morristown, NJ
- Washington marches with with Continental Army and sets up HQ
- Surrounding hills allowed Washington to keep an eye on the British
- Gave Washington time to organize the army
- Trained soldiers and instilled discipline
- Promised cash and land bonuses in effort to recruit troops
Battle of Princeton
When: January 1777
- Win for the Americans
- Drove the British out of Southern NJ
- Got more people to join the Rebellion, 8000 troops in following months
Battle of Sarotoga
When: Fall of 1777
Where: Saratoga, NY
Significance of Battle of Sarotoga
- Lead to British surrender
- Turning point in Revolution, convinced the French to side with the Americans
Both sides’ strategy (1777-1778)
British idea: capture South, then sweep North
US strategy: tire British under Cornwallis lead and slowly retreat
Battle of Yorktown
When: October 16, 1781
Where: Yorktown, VA
- British forces commanded by General Cornwallis
- Vs the French navy and French and American troops commanded by George Washington
- Cornwallis came to VA and took control of British troops
- French fleet won a naval victory against the Britsih
- When Washington arrived, Cornwallis knew it was over – he decided to surrender.
Battle of Yorktown Significance
- Cornwallis surrender gave victory to Americans
- Battle of Yorktown marked the end of the war in America -> end of Revolutionary War
- Peace negotiations between the Continental Congress & British Government (1783) -> Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris (1783)
- American recognized as free
- Boundaries got o the Mississippi River
- Debts to be paid to Britain
- Loyalists were to get property back
- Both British and Americans can use Mississippi River
TL Condensed
- Treaty of Paris (1763)
- Stamp Act & series of taxes enacted
- Battle of Lexington & Concord
- Battle of Bunker Hill
- Declaration of Independence
- Battle of Long Island - NYC Captured
- “American Crisis” 1776, before Trenton
- Crossing of Delaware River
- Battle of Trenton
- Battle of Princeton
- Battle of Sarotoga
- Battle of Yorktown
- Treaty of Paris (1783)
Winner of Lexington & Concord
Britain
Winner of Bunker Hill
Britain
Winner of Battle of Trenton
Colonies
Winner of Battle of Princeton
Colonies
Winner of Battle of Sarotoga
Colonies
Winner of Battle of Yorktown
Colonies
Results of Revolutionary War
- The British had not allowed the colonies to move west over the Appalachian Mountains: now open for settlements
- US now open to trade freely with other countries
- US independent - can create and manage government
New national government
- needed to set up a new national government
- The citizens of the new country did not want the national government to be so large and powerful that it began to resemble to the English Parliament with a ruling King
New society
- Higher class had less influence
- Anglican Church overthrown: victory for freedom of religion
- Northern states begin to get rid of slavery
- Elite could not flaunt their wealth as much
- Some poor people worked up the ranks in the army and entered wealthier classes.
- Washington began accepting in 1777, and some masters freed slaves to serve
First abolitionist society
came a year before the Revolution
