The American War of Independence
The American War of Independence
The American War of Independence
Independence
Overview
I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
--Patrick Henry
Stand your ground; don't fire unless fired upon, but if they
mean to have a war, let it begin here.—Cpt. John Parker
Lexington
and Concord
British heard rumors of colonists storing
weapons. They marched on Lexington and
Concord looking for weapons as well as to arrest
Disperse, you rebels; damn you,
John Hancock and Sam Adams. throw down your arms and
disperse!—Mjr. John Pitcairn
Hancock, Adams, and “minutemen” warned by
riders.
At Lexington, 75 colonists stood up to 700
British soldiers.—Then someone fired a shot.
The British fire and the Americans ran. The
British continued their march towards Concord.
Lexington and
Concord
• 56 Delegates
• Included George
Washington, Patrick Henry
and Sam Adams
• Direct response to
Intolerable Acts
• Met in Philadelphia – 1774
• ‘’No Taxation without
representation’’
What the Americans are up
Against
Britain is the wealthiest country on Earth.
Britain has the largest and best navy in the world.
Britain has colonies all over the world (America, Canada, India, Africa,
Pacific Islands, Caribbean).
Britain has one of the strongest and best led armies in the world. Can also
pay for mercenaries. Indian allies.
Britain is widely considered to be the world superpower.
America has no standing or professional armies with few real officers.
America has a lot of resources, but no cash.
America has rifles and bullets, but not a lot of gunpowder or cannons.
America has no navy.
Not all colonists support the revolution.
Bunker Hill
In the months following Lexington and Concord,
more Americans surround Boston.
Sir William Howe, the new commander, wanted to
end the rebellion in one stroke and attacks heavily
defended positions on Breed’s Hill.
While the Americans are pushed off the hill, because
they run out of ammunition, it comes at a cost.
The Americans lost 140 dead and 271 wounded to the
British 235 killed and 828 wounded.
Battle proved that Americans could stand up to the
British. Americans still surrounded Boston.
Second Continental
Congress
The Congress began meeting in Philadelphia
in May of 1775 to deal with the growing
crisis.
On June 14, 1775, the Congress appointed
George Washington as the commander of all
military forces around Boston.
The also passed the Olive Branch Petition on
July 8, 1775, written by John Dickinson,
which sought reconciliation with the crown.
In my many years I have come to a conclusion
that one useless man is a shame, two is a law
firm, and three or more is a congress. –John
Adams
Common Sense
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in
Jan. of 1776.
Paine wrote that the colonies needed to
break away from King George III and set
up their own nation.
Paine sold over 500,000 copies.
The pamphlet helped bring the cause of
independence to the common people and
helped rally people to the cause.
Boston
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress,
Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions,
do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish
and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent
States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political
connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;
and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace,
contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which
Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm
reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives,
our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
The Declaration of Independence
• Written by
Thomas Jefferson
• It is the “Birth Certificate
of the United States”
• Document listed rights
and grievances against
King George III
• 4 parts
1. Preamble
2. Declaration of rights
3. List of Grievances
4. Resolution
Loyalties of the Colonists
Most Americans fit into one of three
categories; popularly defined by John
Adams as 1/3 each.
Patriots: Those who support the cause of
independence.
Loyalists: Also known as Tories, they
support the British.
Neutral: They support neither side as the
war doesn’t affect them very much.
British Advantages
• Well-equipped
• Disciplined
• Strongest navy
American Advantages
• Accuracy of the rifle
• Knowledge of the land
• Guerilla warfare tactics
• Superb command
Losing New York and New Jersey
Starting in August of 1776, the British struck back.
Washington was driven off of Long Island (where he
escaped miraculously) and Manhattan.
In the fall, Howe chased Washington out of New
Jersey into Pennsylvania with little fighting until he
set up winter quarters.
Much of Howe’s army was comprised of Hessian
mercenaries from Germany.
This was the darkest time of the Revolution.
Nathan Hale
Trenton and Princeton
On Dec. 26, 1776, Washington crossed over the Delaware
attacked a drunken Hessian army in Trenton. Washington
lost 2 dead and 2 wounded to 23 dead, 98 wounded, and
948 captured.
Two weeks later, he won another battle in Princeton
against British reinforcements.
The battles showed that Washington was not done
fighting and encouraged many soldiers to reenlist.
Thomas Paine publishes The Crisis.
Major turning point in the war.
These are the times that try men's souls: The summer
soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink
from the service of his country; but he that stands it now,
deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. –Thomas
Paine
Yorktown
In late summer of 1781, Cornwallis headed
to Virginia for supplies.
Washington, believing that Clinton would
not leave NY, traveled to Virginia to
spring a trap.
Greene would unite his army with
Washington and trap Cornwallis at
Yorktown while the French fleet blocked
the Chesapeake.
Yorktown
The French fleet staved off a British attempt to
save their trapped army.
After being completely surrounded, Cornwallis
had to surrender his army to Washington on Oct.
19, 1781.
Clinton’s reinforcements arrived too late, and
they turned back to NY where they stayed until
the end of the war.
Yorktown was the last major engagement of the
war and brought the British to the negotiation
table.
Treaty of Paris
1783
Treaty that ended the war.
America was given independence.
Britain gave back NY to America as well as ceded the
lands south of the Great Lakes.
Florida given back to Spain.
All prisoners released and Loyalists’ property was not to be
taken over.
Navigation rights on the Mississippi River and fishing
rights off the Grand Banks.
Britain would evacuate forts in the Ohio Valley and Great
Lakes region on US territory.
Reasons Britain Lost
Support from France.
Many people were not for the war.
England had to send an army 3,000 miles away to fight.
Took a long time for orders to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
Assumed they would receive more support from Loyalists.
Americans were closer with their cause.
British were too arrogant.
“Home Field Advantage”
Infighting amongst some top British generals.
Obsessed more with taking cities rather than trying to destroy
Washington’s army.
Americans didn’t “fight fair”.
Economic Issues in the War
America had no money to start with, although it was
rich in resources.
Had to borrow a lot of money from France and other
European nations.
Paper money was given out by the Continental
Congress.
Some wealthy members of Congress donated a lot of
money to the war effort.
Often times, Congress paid soldiers and generals
with offers of land.
The Home Front
Slaves offered freedom if they fought for the
British and American sides.
Women left at home to fend for themselves
and run the farm.
Some women and slaves served in camps.
Indian raids were common along the frontier
until Sullivan’s campaign.
American women sacrificed to send supplies
and goods to the war front.