🗽US History Unit 6 – America's War for Independence, 1775–1783

Key Events and Timeline

• 1775: Battles of Lexington and Concord mark the beginning of the American Revolutionary War on April 19th
• 1775: Second Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia on May 10th and begins coordinating the war effort
• 1775: Battle of Bunker Hill occurs on June 17th, a British victory but with heavy casualties
• 1776: Thomas Paine publishes "Common Sense" in January, arguing for American independence
• 1776: Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4th
• 1777: British capture Philadelphia, the American capital, in September
• 1777: Battle of Saratoga in October results in a decisive American victory, marking a turning point in the war
• 1778: France officially allies with the United States in February following the American victory at Saratoga
• 1781: British forces under Lord Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19th
• 1783: Treaty of Paris is signed on September 3rd, officially ending the war and recognizing American independence

Major Figures and Their Roles

• George Washington: Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, led American forces throughout the war
  • Maintained army morale and discipline despite numerous challenges and setbacks
  • Implemented strategic military decisions that ultimately led to victory
• Benjamin Franklin: Key diplomat who helped secure French support for the American cause
  • Negotiated the Treaty of Alliance with France in 1778
  • Played a crucial role in obtaining financial and military aid from the French
• Thomas Jefferson: Primary author of the Declaration of Independence
  • Eloquently expressed the colonies' grievances against British rule and the justification for independence
• John Adams: Prominent member of the Continental Congress and advocate for independence
  • Nominated George Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army
  • Later served as the first Vice President and second President of the United States
• King George III: British monarch during the American Revolution
  • Refused to address colonial grievances and insisted on maintaining British authority over the colonies
  • His policies and actions contributed to the growing resentment and desire for independence among the colonists

Causes and Motivations

• Taxation without representation: The British imposed various taxes on the colonies (Stamp Act, Sugar Act, Tea Act) without providing them with representation in Parliament
• British attempts to assert greater control over the colonies following the French and Indian War (1754-1763)
  • Proclamation Line of 1763 restricted westward expansion of the colonies
  • Quartering Act of 1765 required colonists to provide housing and supplies for British soldiers
• Growing sense of American identity and desire for self-governance
  • Enlightenment ideas about natural rights, liberty, and self-determination influenced colonial thinking
• Economic motivations: Colonists resented British trade regulations and restrictions on their economic activities
  • Navigation Acts limited colonial trade and required goods to pass through British ports
  • Mercantilism prioritized the economic interests of the mother country over those of the colonies
• Ideological differences between the colonists and the British regarding the nature of government and individual rights
  • Colonists believed in the concept of "no taxation without representation" and the right to govern themselves
  • British viewed the colonies as subordinate to the authority of Parliament and the Crown

Military Strategies and Battles

• Guerrilla warfare tactics employed by the Americans, taking advantage of their knowledge of the terrain
  • Hit-and-run attacks, ambushes, and targeting of British supply lines
  • Avoided large-scale, pitched battles against the superior British forces
• British strategy focused on capturing major cities and dividing the colonies
  • Believed that controlling key urban centers would demoralize the Americans and lead to a swift victory
  • Attempted to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies
• Significant battles:
  • Battle of Bunker Hill (1775): British victory but with heavy casualties, demonstrating American resolve
  • Battle of Saratoga (1777): Decisive American victory, leading to French support for the American cause
  • Siege of Yorktown (1781): Final major battle, resulting in the surrender of British forces under Lord Cornwallis
• Foreign assistance, particularly from France, played a crucial role in American success
  • French provided military equipment, financial aid, and eventually direct military support
  • Spanish and Dutch support also contributed to the American war effort

Political Developments

• Formation of the Continental Congress to coordinate colonial resistance and govern the war effort
  • First Continental Congress (1774) issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances to the British
  • Second Continental Congress (1775-1781) managed the war and issued the Declaration of Independence
• Adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, formally declaring the colonies' separation from Great Britain
  • Asserted the colonies' right to self-governance and listed grievances against the British Crown
• Establishment of state governments and constitutions during the war
  • States created their own governing bodies and laws, laying the foundation for self-rule
• Articles of Confederation: First national governing document of the United States, ratified in 1781
  • Created a loose confederation of states with a weak central government
  • Revealed the need for a stronger federal government, leading to the creation of the Constitution after the war

International Involvement

• France: The most significant foreign ally of the United States during the war
  • Provided crucial military, financial, and diplomatic support following the American victory at Saratoga in 1777
  • French General Marquis de Lafayette served in the Continental Army and played a key role in the Siege of Yorktown
• Spain: Indirectly supported the American cause by fighting against the British in other theaters
  • Hoped to regain territories lost to Britain in previous conflicts (Gibraltar, Florida)
  • Provided financial assistance to the Americans through the cover of a private company
• Netherlands: Provided loans and diplomatic support to the United States
  • Recognized American independence in 1782
  • Served as a crucial source of supplies for the American war effort
• Other European powers (Prussia, Russia) maintained neutrality but indirectly supported the American cause by refusing to provide aid to the British

Social and Economic Impact

• Disruption of daily life and economic activities in the colonies due to the war
  • Trade interruptions, property damage, and loss of life
  • Inflation and debt caused by the costs of the war
• Increased political and social participation among colonists
  • Growth of democratic ideals and the concept of popular sovereignty
  • Expansion of voting rights in some states (elimination of property requirements)
• Challenges faced by women, African Americans, and Native Americans during and after the war
  • Women assumed greater responsibilities in households and businesses while men were away fighting
  • Some African Americans fought for the British in exchange for promised freedom
  • Native Americans faced encroachment on their lands and loss of British protection after the war
• Post-war economic recovery and the development of a national economy
  • Establishment of a national currency and banking system
  • Growth of domestic manufacturing and trade

Legacy and Significance

• Establishment of the United States as an independent nation
  • Creation of a republican form of government based on democratic principles
  • Inspired other colonial independence movements around the world
• Influence on the development of American political institutions and values
  • Concepts of individual liberty, limited government, and the rule of law
  • Separation of powers and a system of checks and balances
• Long-term impact on U.S. foreign relations and global power dynamics
  • U.S. emerged as a new player on the international stage
  • Set the stage for the country's westward expansion and future conflicts with European powers
• Lasting cultural and intellectual impact
  • Contributions of key figures (Franklin, Jefferson, Paine) to Enlightenment thought
  • Influence on American literature, art, and national identity
• Unresolved issues and challenges that continued after the war
  • Debates over the nature and scope of federal power
  • Ongoing struggles for equality and rights for marginalized groups (women, African Americans, Native Americans)