The American War of

Independence
Overview

• Also called War for

Independence
• Started in 1775 in
Lexington and Concord
Massachusetts
• Caused America to
separate from Great
Britain
• Ended in 1783
13 English
Colonies
 The Enlightenment
 A philosophical movement during the 1700s.
 They wanted to apply the scientific method to reason and
thought and try to understand all aspects of life.
 They were interested in reason, natural law, hope,
progress, and individual rights.
 The Enlightenment would sow the seeds of the American
and French Revolutions.
 Many of the colonial leaders in America were reading the
works of the French philosophes spouting Enlightenment
rhetoric.
 The Enlightenment
 A philosophical movement during the 1700s.
 They wanted to apply the scientific method to reason and
thought and try to understand all aspects of life.
 They were interested in reason, natural law, hope,
progress, and individual rights.
 The Enlightenment would sow the seeds of the American
and French Revolutions.
 Many of the colonial leaders in America were reading the
works of the French philosophes spouting Enlightenment
rhetoric.
 The Story Thus Far

• European nations were

competing with each
other for:
– World resources
– Military strength
– Political superiority

• Some nations were

upsetting the balance of
power
 The French and Indian War—1754
• Rivalry between the French and British
• Who will control North America?

• British, colonists, and

Native American allies
fought French and
Native American allies
 The French and Indian War
 Longstanding tensions between France and Britain
simmered over competing claims over Ohio in 1757.
 A new prime minister, William Pitt, sent 50,000 British
soldiers to America. The British also received help from
the Iroquois Nation.
 The British captured Quebec after the Battle of the
Plains of Abraham in 1759.
 The Treaty of Paris signed in 1763 gave all of Canada
to Britain and Spain would get Western Louisiana and
give Florida to Britain.
 Proclamation of 1763

 Because of the violence of Pontiac’s Rebellion,

the British did not want to worry about stationing
large amounts of troops in America.
 The British government proclaimed in 1763 that
no colonists can settle any land past the
Appalachian Mountains. All Western lands
belong to the Indian tribes.
 This made many colonists upset who wanted to
settle lands in Kentucky and Ohio. It caused a lot
of resentments for many colonists.
 The law, however, proved difficult to enforce.
The French and Indian War—1754

• Great Britain’s national

debt nearly doubled
during the war
• British expected
Americans to help pay for
protection

• The war lasted nine years

 Problems With The War
 Caused a lot of debt. Wars cost a lot of
money.
 What to do with the Indians? They are
nervous with the French out of the way.
 What to do with Canada? Many of the
French settlers do not like the new English
leaders.
 Colonies seem to have too many freedoms.
Parliament wanted to take some of these
freedoms back.
 Causes of the Revolution
 Stubbornness of the Colonies to bend to English
demands.
 Stubbornness of the English to listen to American
protests.
 Higher taxes.
 England taking a stronger hand in governing the
colonies.
 An American identity over an English one.
 A series of unfortunate events.
 The Sugar Act - 1764

• First attempt to raise

income from the Colonies
• Duty on sugar and
molasses not obtained
from Britain
• Smuggling cases tried in
Great Britain
 Stamp Acts
 The first attempt by the British Parliament
to tax the colonies for the cost of the
French and Indian War was passed in
1765.

 The act required all legal documents,

permits, commercial contracts,
newspapers, wills, pamphlets, and playing
cards in the colonies to carry a tax stamp.
 Colonists Protest

 “No taxation without representation!”

 Tax collectors were abused.
 Colonists refused to pay the tax and boycotted
British goods.
 Ben Franklin called for the Albany Plan of
Union.
 Sam Adams leads a group in Boston called the
Sons of Liberty.
 In 1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act but
passed the Declaratory Act which said they can
pass any law in America that they want.
If this be treason, make the most of it—Patrick Henry 1765
 Townsend Acts
 Passed by Parliament in 1767.
 Tax was put on all imports to the colonies.
 Taxes were imposed on sugar, tea, glass, lead,
manufactured goods, paint, paper, etc.
 British warships also began patrolling the American
coast and seizing ships with “smuggled goods”.
 “Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania”
 Sons of Liberty again called for a boycott of British
goods.
 Act repealed in 1770 except for tea tax.
 Boston Massacre

 On March 5, 1770, a mob of Bostonians began to harass a

lone British soldier on duty.
 When scared, he called for help and was joined by his
regiment.
 The crowd threw rocks, snowballs, and ice at the soldiers.
The soldiers fired, killing five and injuring six.
 John Adams was the attorney for the soldiers, who were
found innocent of any wrongdoing.
 Sons of Liberty used this event as propaganda against the
British.
 Event shows the growing tensions between the British
and colonists.
 Boston
Tea Party
 Britain removed tea tax from the British East India Co.
Colonists resented unfair business practices.
 On Dec. 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty took it up a
notch.
 They dressed up as Mohawk Indians, climbed aboard
three British tea ships, and threw the tea into Boston
Harbor.
 By dawn, over 342 casks or 90,000 lbs (45 tons) of tea
worth an estimated £10,000 (£953,000, or $1.87 million
in 2007 currency) had been thrown over.
 The British were not amused.
 Intolerable Acts
 Signed by Parliament in reaction to the Boston Tea Party.
Boston would pay a heavy price in 1774.
 Boston Port Act—The Port of Boston would be shut
down until all the tea is paid and order is restored.
 Massachusetts Government Act—The Mass. government
would now by run by the king and his officials. Town
meetings were forbidden.
 Administration of Justice Act—In order to get a “fair
trial”, the British could move trials to other colonies or
back to Britain.
 Quartering Act—The colonies all had to provide homes
and food for British soldiers stationed in America. Boston
would be placed under martial law. More soldiers sent to
America
 Committee of Correspondence
 In an effort to keep abreast of news, the colonies
formed committees of correspondence.
 Colonial legislatures, starting with Massachusetts
and Virginia, would keep each other informed of
crisis and information happening in their colonies.
 This would help unite the colonies as they all felt
Britain’s heavy hand upon them.
 First Continental Congress established to discuss
the growing crisis.

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

 The British continued on to Concord, only to find no

weapons.
 They do find 400 colonists who force them from the
town.
 The British decide to call it a day and retreat back to
Boston.
 American minutemen harass the British all the way
back to Boston and then surround the city.
 At the end of the day 50 colonists were killed with 39
wounded. The British lost 73 killed and 143 wounded.
 There is no negotiations now. The revolution has
begun!
First Continental Congress

• 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

 Since the war began, rebels have surrounded

Boston.
 When Washington arrived, in July, much of the
time spent was in training the new army.
 In the spring, Washington moved the cannons
from Ticonderoga into strategic positions across
from Boston.
 Gen. Howe, seeing that he is trapped, evacuated
Boston on March 17, 1776. Boston was liberated.
 Declaration of
Independence

 After a year of fighting and waiting, the Congress

decided to debate independence when Richard
Henry Lee of Virginia made the motion.
 A committee of John Adams, Ben Franklin,
Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Thomas
Jefferson were asked to come up with a written
document.
 On July 2, 1776, Congress approved the motion.
 On July 4, 1776, Declaration was adopted.
Resolved, 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. –
Richard Henry Lee
 Declaration of Independence
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the
political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of
the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God
entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the
causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,that among these are Life, Liberty, and the
pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of
Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to
abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and
organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and
Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be
changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that
mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by
abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and
usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under
absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to
provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these
Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of
Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries
and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over
these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. …

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.