The American Revolution Flashcards
1
Q
Hostility between colonists+ Br lead to outbreak of fighting and the move towards independence 1746
A
Boston Tea Party as a Turning Point (1773): This event significantly escalated tensions between Britain and the colonies due to the harsh response from British authorities, marking a major shift in relations.
• Impact of the Intolerable Acts: The “Intolerable Acts” of 1774 provoked more resistance than earlier taxation issues, fostering widespread rejection of British authority throughout 1774 and 1775.
• Colonial Protests and Autonomy: Initial protests in 1774 were not outright revolutionary, as colonists had a history of successful direct actions against unpopular policies (e.g., repeal of the Stamp Act). Most colonists still hoped for concessions from Britain and a potential shared sovereignty arrangement, where Britain retained ultimate authority but colonies managed their own domestic affairs.
• Breakdown of Relations by 1776: The possibility of shared sovereignty ended as tensions rapidly escalated in 1774-1775. King George III and his ministers were determined to maintain full British control, refusing to share sovereignty. Meanwhile, colonial actions to overthrow British rule intensified.
• Loss of British Control: By 1776, effective British governance had collapsed in most colonies, limited only to Boston. A significant number of colonists actively opposed British rule, transforming resistance into a revolutionary movement that ultimately sought complete independence with the Declaration of Independence.
2
Q
Hostility between colonists+ Br lead to outbreak of fighting and the move towards independence 1746
A
Boston Tea Party as a Turning Point (1773): This event significantly escalated tensions between Britain and the colonies due to the harsh response from British authorities, marking a major shift in relations.
• Impact of the Intolerable Acts: The “Intolerable Acts” of 1774 provoked more resistance than earlier taxation issues, fostering widespread rejection of British authority throughout 1774 and 1775.
• Colonial Protests and Autonomy: Initial protests in 1774 were not outright revolutionary, as colonists had a history of successful direct actions against unpopular policies (e.g., repeal of the Stamp Act). Most colonists still hoped for concessions from Britain and a potential shared sovereignty arrangement, where Britain retained ultimate authority but colonies managed their own domestic affairs.
• Breakdown of Relations by 1776: The possibility of shared sovereignty ended as tensions rapidly escalated in 1774-1775. King George III and his ministers were determined to maintain full British control, refusing to share sovereignty. Meanwhile, colonial actions to overthrow British rule intensified.
• Loss of British Control: By 1776, effective British governance had collapsed in most colonies, limited only to Boston. A significant number of colonists actively opposed British rule, transforming resistance into a revolutionary movement that ultimately sought complete independence with the Declaration of Independence.
3
Q
BR reaction the intolerable acts
A
- Summary: The Role of the Intolerable Acts and British Hardline Policies in Escalating Colonial Unrest• Intolerable Acts as a Catalyst: The British government, aiming to regain control, passed the Intolerable Acts (including closing Boston Port, suspending the Massachusetts charter, and enforcing the Quartering Act). These measures were seen as necessary but were politically damaging, especially when combined with the Quebec Act, which restricted western expansion and angered the colonists further.
• Shift in British Attitude: The Intolerable Acts signaled a shift in the British approach under George III. While Britain had previously made concessions (like repealing the Stamp Act in 1766 and reducing most Townshend Duties in 1770), by 1774, maintaining British authority became more important than economic concerns.
• Increasing British Resolve: Boosted by military confidence and an election victory in October 1774, Lord North’s government, with George III’s support, viewed colonial resistance as outright rebellion, leading to a hardline stance that ruled out further concessions.
• Escalation to Force: Britain’s decision to recruit foreign mercenaries (German Hessians) and pass the Prohibitory Act in 1775, which halted trade with the colonies, demonstrated a commitment to using force. George III declared colonial subjects as rebels and confiscated their property before the colonies had even declared independence, escalating tensions and pushing colonists further toward revolution.
4
Q
Colonial rebellion 1774-76
A
Summary: The Colonial Rebellion (1774-1776)
• Diverse Colonial Reactions: The colonies responded differently to British attempts to control them. This led to the formation of the Continental Congress, aimed at coordinating economic countermeasures to pressure Britain without initially seeking independence. • Continental Congress and Economic Boycotts: Two Continental Congresses were held, focusing on measures like the ‘Non-Importation’ agreement (a trade ban with Britain). Initially, there was no intent to establish a central government as an alternative to British rule, as many colonies forbade their delegates from voting for independence. • Regional Variations in Resistance: Resistance was strongest in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Virginia, and South Carolina, while the middle colonies like New York and Pennsylvania were divided, with significant Loyalist populations. The South had internal divisions between wealthy coastal planters and poorer inland settlers, leading to uneven support for the rebellion. • Escalation of Local Protests: By mid-1774, news of the Intolerable Acts spurred mass protests, especially in New England, where armed militias sided with protesters rather than suppressing them. This led to the closing of courts and the flight of royal officials. • Rise of Local Governance: Local committees of correspondence not only enforced economic embargoes but took on governmental functions like managing infrastructure and resolving disputes. These committees replaced British authority, particularly in New England, Virginia, and the Carolinas. • Violence and Radical Actions: The protests included violent acts against Loyalists and officials, with tarring and feathering, causing many Loyalists to flee. These local committees effectively ran parts of the colonies, surprising British authorities who lacked the force to restore order. • Economic Warfare and Military Preparations: From 1775 to 1776, the Continental Congress coordinated economic boycotts and military preparations, building on over a decade of colonial boycotts of British goods. These actions were aimed at forcing a compromise rather than pursuing outright independence. • Colonists’ Evolving Self-Governance: Though not initially seeking independence, the intensified conflict and trade embargoes implied a move toward self-governance, with colonies operating independently of British control. • British Response and Increased Colonial Determination: British attempts to suppress these protests were viewed as resisting anarchy rather than addressing legitimate grievances, which only strengthened the resolve of radical factions within the colonies, ultimately pushing them closer to the idea of independence.
5
Q
Military preparations
A
- Brit authority broken down by 1775 in New England+New York, Virginia, South Carolina and parts of North Carolina.
- Britain fortified Boston a rush to gather arms + gunpowder among colonies that some historians have described as a ‘military fever’. Arms stockpiled +agents sent to buy gunpowder +ammunition from Europe and the West Indies.
- Brit authorities in Boston tried to prevent this but were limited by numbers of troops available.
- Feb-General Lord Gage sent expedition by sea to seize an arms depot at Salem, Massachusetts.
- Another expedition to Concord was considerably more significant +began armed hostilities.
- spring of 1775 there were large numbers of armed militia in the New England colonies.
- part-time soldiers = ‘Minute Men’ were well trained +well armed- there were as many as 14,000 men under arms in Massachusetts ,Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
6
Q
First shots
A
- apr 1775 BR troops march concord Massachusetts to take arms deport
- previously sep 1774 200 troops to siege gunpowder by radicles
- concord largest 700 men sent
- BR troops paths blocked by colonial militia
- Paul revere rode to warn local forces of BR approach
- militia asked to carry on by Samual Adam’s who stayed in town
8 colonists killed after first shots radicals quick to blame BR+ rush newes massacre over Europe’s - fighting at concord on march back to Boston BR victims of colonists face to face
- in retreat 73 BR killed 174 wounded 49 colonists killed 39 wounded
- june 1775 BR garrison under Howe launch assault on brede hill bunker hill battle
- dint wait for artillery bombarment on naval positions by navy Howe launched frontal attack
- shortage of ammunition led rebels to vaunrbale baynot charge prevent heavier BR casualties large no.officers
- large rebel force suffer 139 killed 276 wounded smaller BR force 2000 226 killed 800 wounded
- BR in Boston until evacuation in march 1776 colonists bought more men artillery but dint attack
- battle consequences cools its forces resisted BR baunot charge militia success gave more casualties
- colonial commander confident order expedition to Canada to take war to enemy
- authority of fledging congress strengthened now have an army
- BR forced out of New England take war to NY more loyalist
- after bunker hill conflict into war high losses reconcilaltion not possible
War spread summer in 1775
7
Q
Extension of conflict
A
- unrest spread south led to flight of governes
- key figures of royal gov left their colonies because of widespread unrest so leaving power vacuum
- contential congress had to create an army on 15 June 1776 = to regularise militia volunteers fighting Boston coordinate vessels which had attacked BR ships settlements along coast
- navy created on oct 12 congress authorised privateers
- 3 military command commander in chief George Washington
- after BR forced out Boston decision made send forces to Canada spread unrest north
- to prevent BR attacks seize arms Montreal taken Quebec besieged
8
Q
Situation by start 1776 why no compromise ?
A
- despite rapid military developments not yet American nation hopes of compromise on both sides
- Howe authorised reach settlement but BR couldn’t accept violence towards royal officers loyalist
- many who were loyal to crown 50,000
- BR couldn’t leave policy preventing west expansion would get conflict with NA more costly
- 1776 likelihood reimposing authority high
BR army of over 48k men which could be deployed in coloneis less than continental army these were trained soldiers not likely to return home of serve for short period - commercial wealth BR paid for German mercenaries
- substantial numbers of colonial Loyalists, enslaved people +Native Americans who didn’t support the rebellion.
- longer-term problems of what to do after victory + how to maintain control were not well considered. Even if defeated, the resentment that the colonists had built up since 1763 would not just go away.
- Maintaining authority would involve huge garrisons and ongoing costs.
- Many in Britain were sympathetic to the colonists +there was no certainty that a hard-line peace +military occupation would be popular at home.
9
Q
Why did colonist carry on fighting
A
- Summary: Why Did the Colonists Continue Fighting?• Mixed Sentiments on Warfare: While some colonists were caught up in the excitement, it wasn’t clear that continuing the war would be beneficial due to economic hardships from trade bans and British blockades, higher taxes, and property destruction.
• Economic and Social Strains: The conflict led to severe economic damage, with radical lower-class activities alarming the more conservative middle-class factions. The war also brought higher taxes, debt, and stricter controls than under British rule.
• Lack of Unity: By 1776, the colonies were still not fully united, struggling to sustain the new Continental Army against Britain’s powerful military and naval forces. Many colonists, including Loyalists, slaves, and Native Americans, preferred British rule.
• Challenges in Warfare: Colonial troops had limited military skills and experience, making open warfare against Britain challenging. However, there were fears that any compromise could lead to Britain reimposing trade restrictions, taxes, and expansion controls.
• Radical Influence and Fear of Repression: Initial enthusiasm gave way to radical influence, with opposition to the revolution being increasingly suppressed. This made compromise difficult.
• Hope for Foreign Aid: The prospect of assistance from France motivated many to continue fighting, believing that it was better to resist than risk British dominance again tax agin
• Uncertain Outcomes: While both sides sought a military victory, there were concerns that winning the war might bring further challenges rather than resolving existing issues.
10
Q
Importance of first and second contenentail congress in move towards independence
A
First = sept-nov 1774
- met in Philadelphia 12 coloneis Georgia dint
Br coercive acts asked to take back
- Mixed views Pennsylvania + New York pushed for plea to King George,New England urged stronger action.
- Congress sought peace and reconciliation, balancing this with economic measures like trade embargoes to pressure Britain.
- Created Continental Association to enforce a trade embargo, planning economic boycott if the Coercive Acts were not repealed by September 1775.
- Local Committees of Safetyestablished to monitor adherence to the embargo, gaining significant power to enforce compliance.
- Parliament King George III rejected the Congress’s petition, with the king denouncing the Massachusetts actions in a speech in November.
- Dissolved after petition failed, though more radical elements, like Samuel and John Adams, were present.
- Endorsed tSuffolk Resolves but remained cautious about advocating separation from Britain, focusing on liberty restoration.
- The formation of the Association and local committees signalled early steps toward alternative governance structures.
11
Q
2nd congress may 1775
A
- after Battles Lexington Concord (April 1775), with colonial militias already active.
- By May 1775, situation escalated volunteer forces besieging Boston capturing Fort Ticonderoga (providing artillery to use against British forces).
- Divisions remained over declaring independence, some middle colonies opposed, fearing foreign dominance, economic loss, and disruptions to local authority.
- Took practical steps toward independence, including:
- Forming Continental Army with George Washington as commander.
o Authorising states to establish independent governments + print money for war expenses.
o Appointing agents to procure weapons. - Continued bloodshed, especially Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775), pushed Congress closer to revolutionary governance despite hesitation.
- Loyalists within colonies still sought unity with Britain, fearing instability and foreign influence if colonies split.
- Despite ongoing resistance, Congress took on more government functions, setting the stage for the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
12
Q
What led to declaration independence + what’s its importance
A
- choice for independence emerged partly due to limited options for reconciliation + shift in colonial sentiment
- Historian Robert Middlekauff says contradiction in Congress’s approach in 1775: preparing for war while petitioning for peace, aiming for liberty yet seeking reconciliation.
-divided stance was unsustainable; Congress had to commit fully to either peace or war. - British actions—recruiting European mercenaries, refusing negotiations, passing the Prohibitory Act—pushed Congress toward independence and weakened moderate influence.
- Support for independence growing in colonies, a shift that John Adams described as “ripening.”
- Adams +supporters proposed unified policy, included:
- National unity against Britain,
- Negotiations with foreign powers for alliances,
- Military strengthening,
- Clear objectives for independence.
- Revolutionary ideas were spreading, especially through works like:
- Thomas Paine’s Common Sense argued against monarchy promoted new start based on liberty
- John Adams’ Thoughts on Government, outlined national gov based on separated powers.
- Enlightenment ideas
- By May 1776, Congress faced immediate pressures:
- BR dispatched troops (100 ships, 32,000 men) to confront colonies.
- Washington’s forces vastly outnumbered, raising fears brutal BR occupation.
-actions of Br governor in Virginia + attacks on Norfolk demonstrated risks of BR defeat, including reprisals from Loyalists +harsh treatment from mercenaries. - These developments left independence only choice, despite risks.
- On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed resolution for independence.
- Congress formed committee—including Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson—to draft Declaration of Independence presented on June 28.
- After approval of Lee’s resolution on July 2, Congress edited the draft, excluding a claim that BR introduced slavery, to avoid alienating southern delegates.
- Thomas Jefferson’s vision framed Declaration as break not just from BR rule but from BR identity.
- finalized Declaration of Independence emphasised grievances against King George III, highlighting injustices to justify rebellion + aiming to unify the colonies against Br rule.
- Declaration’s famous preamble declared universal principles of human rights: “all men are created equal” with rights to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
- key ideas that make this a highly significantly document
- 1.”all men created equally” means = meant African slaved + freedmen + NA equal. Howeve moat delegates view opposite e.g Jefferson who was also a former slave. Means contradiction in fight for liberty showed claimed equality not practised
- 2.highlighted theory of ‘natural rights’= all people have inherent rightts not just given by the state.
- 3.idea governments took their “just powers” from consent of the governed this suggests implied that without consent, authority was “unjust” and need not be respected.
- This was revolutionary it contradicted most of the world’s governments, which relied on divine authority (kings, emperors, princes).
- Lead to question whether government consent needed
- Abigail Adams urged husband, John Adams, to “Remember the ladies,” but little thought given to idea women should have political rights.
- revolution primarily a “white men only” revolution, as women’s political rights largely ignored.
- Most property-owning delegates accepted Declaration of Independence to justify opposition to George III, but they unintentionally agreed to a document with much broader implications
13
Q
Why did BR fail to suppress revolt in early stages of war 1775-77
A
- BR forces in Boston held by militia after battles in Lexington concord
- reinforcements arrived lead assault on bunker hill led to more British losses than American
- despite having navy+ overall larger army BR forces evacuated Boston by end of 1775
- early colonial success in Massachusetts+ north fort Ticonderoga Quebec
- BR landed in NY 1776 with professional troops+ considerable force driving Washington’s forces from Staten Island then Brooklyn
- decisive attack might have ended colonial army’s retreat but strategic method used instead
- Washington retreated form Long Island to NY then to Harlem hill br forces tried to outflank Jim by landing in westchester
- Washington withdrew to white plains across New Jersey chased across Delaware river
- br recovery in Canada loyalist forces led by gu Carlton preparing to move south join Br forces under Howe
- colonial resistance = improvised fleet of colonial fighting gunboats prevented Carleton from descending Lake Champlain and retaking Fort Ticonderoga.
British retreat: Carleton returned to Canada Nov 1776 to prepare for winter - Howe’s winter strategy- captured Fort Lee + Fort Washington in New Jersey. However decided to winter in New York to ensure troops well supplied.
- Colonial forces retreat: Washington, with only 3,000 out of 19,000 troops, retreated into Pennsylvania.
- Surprise attack: On Dec 25, 1776, Washington crossed Delaware River to attack German mercenaries in Trenton.
- Success: Washington’s unconventional warfare tactics successful. After defeating mercenaries, Washington marched on Princeton, outflanking Br reinforcements under Cornwallis
- Morristown retreat: After these victories, Washington moved to winter quarters in Morristown, remaining undefeated.
- victory at Trenton raised support showed colonists far from defeat
- also need Br hopes of rallying loyalist in New Jersey
- 1777 Br launch large scale operations
- In one, Howe took army by sea launched invasion of Pennsylvania
- Washington couldn’t stop Philadelphia falling in Sept 1777 attacked Howe’s army at Brandywine Pennsylvania- not successful
- colonial attack at Germantown Oct- heavy colonial losses but showed bravery+ determination
- In North, Br forces under General John Burgoyne sent to Canada + Fort Ticonderoga retaken.
- Burgoyne advanced southward despite knowing Howe wouldn’t join him.
- recruited NA whose tactics, including murder of Jane McRea, undermined Br cause.
- separate expedition led by BR General St. Leger along Mohawk River failed.
- German force defeated in Vermont.
- Burgoyne took main force to Bemis Heights, hoping for support from forces in New York.
- However, Commander Clinton had orders to reinforce Howe, not Burgoyne.
- Burgoyne faced heavy losses superior colonial forces under Horatio Gates.
- He surrendered at Saratoga 17 Oct 1777.
- Over 5,000 Br prisoners taken to Boston.
- survival of American forces against larger more professional Br force due to number of reasons
- Br failure to defeat forces taking Boston at Bunker Hill, while suffering heavy casualties, encouraged support for rebellion boosted American confidence.
- colonists’ first success in taking Fort Ticonderoga + extending the conflict to Canada helped spread war beyond Massachusetts.
- Washington’s survival after Br attacks around New York stopped Br from effectively using Loyalist support in middle colonies, allowing war to continue.
- his victory at Trenton gave significant morale boost, later helped to prove him as a legendary figure.
- Even though defeated in Pennsylvania colonial attack at Germantown showed image of dogged heroisism - helped support in colonies + Europe to grow.
- Carleton’s failure to move his Canadian forces south together with Clinton’s inability to bring up forces from New York ensured Burgoyne would be defeated at Saratoga. This changed 1777 from a year of British victories to one remembered as a year of humiliating defeat.
- France already providing money and arms to the colonial forces.
- victory at Saratoga confirmed France’s decision to intervene in conflict.
- From 1778, France’s entry into the war transformed the conflict.
- Britain’s failure to secure quick victory had significant consequences.
- This failure was likely a key reason for the eventual outcome of the war.
14
Q
Key military developments in war 1778-82
A
