Unit 4: The American Revolution Flashcards
Moving Toward Independence
A. 2nd Continental Congress, May 1775
B. British Actions Hardened Colonial Opinion
C. Thomas Paine and “Common Sense”
D. The Declaration of Independence
E. Results of the Declaration of Independence
F. America’s Initial Problems
G. The Loyalists
H. Mobilizing for War
A. 2nd Continental Congress: May 1775
- Continental army under Washington
- Two Schools of Thought
Two Schools of Thought
a. Complete Independence
b. Reform imperial relationship, reconcile with England
B. British Actions Hardened Colonial Opinion
- Rejected Olive Branch, closed trade
- Naval blockade of colonial ports
- Recruited Native American tribes against colonists
C. Thomas Paine known as
Common Sense
D. The Declaration of Independence
- Continental Congress becomes “de facto” government
- Two Major Sections
Two Major Sections
a. List of grievances against king
b. Justafied people’s right to rebel
E. Results of the Declaration of Independence
- Language inspired the Revolution as well as other reform movements
- Led to foreign aid, largely French
- Encouraged independence as eventual goal
- Created deep divisions in the colonies
F. America’s Initial Problems
- Congress no authority to pass laws or impose taxes
- Facing internal divisions
- Difficulty of attracting volunteer army
- Severe financial problems
G. The Loyalists
- Back-country people
- Ethnic, religious minorities
- Urban Business & Money Interest
- The Middle Colonies
H. Mobilizing for War
- Arms: relied on Frances, captured material
- Finances: Paper currency & borrowing
- Conscription (Draft): Bounties offered
- Creation of Continental Army
The War for Independence
A. British Disadvantages
B. The First Phase (1775): New England
C. The Second Phase (1776-1778): The Mid-Atlantic Region
D. British Blunders During the Second Phase
E. Securing Aid from Abroad
F. Consequences of French Intervention
G. The Final Phase: The South
H. Surrender at Yorktown: October 19, 1781
I. The Treaty of Paris, September 1783
J. Revolutionary Impact on Slavery & Native Americans
K. Women’s Rights and Women’s Roles
A. British Disadvantages
- Fighting for from home in vast wilderness
- Wide-spread nature of colonial population
- Britain involved in European wars
- British commanders incompetent
- Jealousy between army & navy
- Opposition to the war in England
- England underestimated the colonies
B. The First Phase (1775): New England
- British Dilemma: Full-scale war or localized rebellion?
- Battle of Bunker (Breed’s) Hill
- Boston Indefensible: British Evacuate
- Colonial Invasion of Canada
C. The Second Phase (1776-1778): The Mid-Atlantic Region
- Britain primed to win the war
- Arrival of Gen. William Howe: “Shock” and “Awe”
- Colonial weakness led to series of defeats
- British dig in for the winter
- Delaware Crossing & Battle of Trenton
- Campaign of 1777: Britain’s Multi-Pronged Attack