The Loss of the American Colonies - Topic 3.3 Flashcards
Britain's defeat and the impact of defeat on the British and Americans
Who was General Burgoyne?
1722-92
A British army general serving from 1743 to 1784 who saw his most notable campaigns in the American War of Independence. He and his troops fought in the Siege of Boston, the Invasion of Quebec and his Saratoga Campaign
Who was General Clinton?
1730-1795
A British army general and successor to General Howe as commander-in-chief of the British land forces in America, serving from 1751 to 1793, seeing his most notable campaigns in the American War of Independence. He and his troops fought in the Siege of Boston, the Philadelphia Campaign, the Saratoga Campaign and his Southern Strategy
Who was General Howe?
1729-1814
A British army general and commander-in-chief of the British land forces in America, serving from 1746 to 1814 who saw his most notable campaigns in the American War of Independence. He and his soldiers fought in the Siege of Boston and both New York and Philadelphia campaigns
Why were the British defeated at Saratoga?
19th Sept. and 8th Oct 1777
He planned to take his British soldiers, Hessian mercenaries and Native Americans as well as any loyalists he could find on the way to march and split New England into two meeting up with Clinton at New York
- Burgoyne was overconfident, he betted to home by Christmas and took 30 vehicles for his wardrobe and champagne
- The plan was not coordinated with Clinton and Howe and each of the generals went on their own personal trips of glory
The soldiers who were sieged down and surrendered to the Americans remained prisoners at Saratoga until the end of the war
Who was General George Washington?
1732-99
The Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, serving from 1752 to 1799 and the first President of the United States. His most notable campaign in the American War of Independence. He led his armies to fight in the Siege of Boston, the Battles of Long Island and Philadelphia and Battle of Yorktown
Who was General Cornwallis?
1738-1805
A British army general serving from 1757 to 1805 who saw his most notable campaigns in the American War of Independence. He fought in the campaign for New York, the Battle of Brandywine and his Southern and Virginia Campaigns
Why was French intervention in the war important?
1778
The French wanted to regain lands in America and the Anglo-French rivalry sustained their choice to join. Burgoyne’s defeat gave a huge reaction by the French. The Americans also showed themselves to be a credible fighting force to ally with. The French were vital to defeat the British at Yorktown as they controlled the Chesapeake Bay
Why was Spanish intervention in the war important?
1779
Spain entered the war by the French as they were promised to take back lost land in America (mainly Florida) and also Gibraltar and Minorca. Spanish troops had cleared British troops along the Mississippi by 1781
What was the impact of foreign intervention on Britain?
1778-83
Britain’s focus was now more at home then in America and British troops and the navy were more spread out than previously. 65% of British troops were in America before 1779, which had then dropped to 20%. 41% of ships were used in America, dropped to 13% after 1779. Britain increased its presence in the West Indies and India to protect them against the French and Spanish
Why were the British defeated at Yorktown?
28th Sept-19th Oct. 1781
- The population in the South were not as loyal as the British had hoped for. Even if there were victories, the territory could not be held
- Cornwallis had to finish his southern campaign with 4,000 men as Clinton returned to New York and Tarleton was preoccupied in Virginia after the Charleston siege
- Britain was spread thin again as it needed to protect the ports captured along the Eastern Seaboard. The Navy could also not defeat the French at the Battle of the Chesapeake to protect sea lanes and the ports along the coast. The relief force could not arrive in time for Cornwallis to carry on defending Yorktown and he surrendered
What made Britain decide to sue for peace with America?
1781-83
- Defeat at Yorktown was the final nail in the coffin, after this loss, the will to continue the war was lost
- Parliament and the City of London put pressure on the king and government to end the war.
- Because of the French and Spanish entry into the war, priorities were shifted to Europe instead to protect Britain
- The colonies were prepared to lose them to bring back Britain’s trade and the fight was becoming more and more impractical
What were the terms of the Treaty of Paris?
1783
- Britain accepted the American’s independence and its new boundaries
- Spain regained Florida and Minorca
- France regained control of St Lucia, Goree and Pondicherry, and kept Tobago
- The Netherlands retained Trincomalee
- Britain took back control of the Bahamas and Negapatam
What were the political impacts of the Peace of Paris on Britain?
1783
- Lord North resigned as PM in 1782 and a new coalition government had formed. William Pitt the Younger then came to power shortly after in 1784.
- There was no idea of a revolution, and the landed gentry still remained in the highest positions of power. However, there was a call to reform the political system.
- Britain gave Ireland free trade in 1780 and in 1782, legislative independence.
- The actual fact of losing the colonies didn’t cause a tear in British society, and everything returned to normal, like nothing happened, within 5 years.
What were the economic impacts of the Peace of Paris on Britain?
1783
- The national debt rose £232 million.
- Britain’s trade was disrupted with many nations and its own colonies, however these returned to pre-war levels by 1785 and the value of British exports doubled 10 years after the war.
- Britain recovered economically quite quickly. Recession was avoided and economic resilience and social cohesion got British trade back to where they were and booming.
- The population still continued to grow after the war. The demand for consumer goods was high and with Britain owning a large amount of coal deposits, entrepreneurs were able to benefit from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
- New banking systems were implemented and new mills and factories gave rise to manufacturing and automation.
