1. The American Revolution Unit Two

2. The Duel for North America

3. I. France Finds a Foothold in Canada
Latecomer to colonizing New World
Louis XIV took interest in colonial expansion
First successful colony Quebec 1609
Samuel de Champlain explore, solider, leader early French colonial efforts
Colony known as New France
Problems with Iroquois hampered French conquest of Ohio River Valley
French colonies autocratic, no representative assemblies, no right to fair trail
Favored Caribbean colonies because of sugar trade

4. II. New France Fans Out
Most valuable resource in New France- beaver fur
Fur trappers (voyageurs) trapped beaver, recruited Indians into fur business
Traveled deep into wilderness, created ecological disaster by eliminating most of beaver population
French Missionaries attempted to “Christianize” Indians
Voyageurs, missionaries vital role as explorers, geographers

5. II. New France Fans Out
French try to block British and Spanish expansion
Detroit (1701), keep out British
LaSalle claims Mississippi River Valley for France (Louisiana)
French fortify posts along river to keep out Spanish, protect beaver trade
Establish New Orleans (1718) to keep fur and grain flowing to mother country, keep MS River from Spanish

6. French, Spanish and English Settlers
Each country had different motives and settlement patterns
French- friendly relations with Indians (comparatively), tried to convert Natives to Christianity, came in small numbers, extractive economic activity (fur trade), explored deep into continent, Catholic, had economic motives
Spanish- came to conquer (conquistador), looked for and found precious minerals, tried to convert Indians, blended their culture with Native culture, explored deep into continent to look for wealth, Catholic
English- came in larger groups (especially NE), settled and “improved” land, more religiously tolerant, wiped out Indian culture, established their own “footprint”, did not explore deep into continent, mostly Protestant

7. III. Clash of Empires
Four wars in the 17th and 18th century for control of Americas
King Williams War , Queen Anne’s War
Did not involve large numbers of troops, America not seen as worthy of commitment from European powers
Usually involved French and Indian allies attacking English colonial settlements
Deerfield, MA; Schenectady, NY scenes of most violence

8. III. Clash of Empires Treaty of Utrecht 1713 British defeat French
England controlled most of Canada except land along St. Lawrence River
End of war begins period of “salutary neglect”
War of Jenkins Ear 1739 between British and Spanish, mostly in Caribbean, some fighting in GA
King Georges War Colonists and British capture fort at entrance to St. Lawrence River
Peace treaty 1748 gives it back to France, enrages colonists
As a result of wars British military more involved in colonies

9. IV. George Washington Inaugurates War with France
Ohio River Valley becomes source of problems between British, French
Key to continent for French, linked colonial holdings
Region key to economic security for French
Land hungry British colonists attempt to secure “rights” to region
French building forts to secure region

10. IV. George Washington Inaugurates War with France
1754 Governor of VA sends group of militia to secure claims, led by George Washington
Encounter small group of French soldiers near Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh)
French initially defeated, return with reinforcements
Washington forced to surrender
1755 British authorities uproot 4,000 French from Nova Scotia, deportees end up in LA (Cajuns)
Beginning of French and Indian War

11. V. Global War and Colonial Disunity
War began in America, others began in Europe
England and Prussia vs. France, Spain, Austria, and Russia
Bloodiest battles in Germany
“America conquered in Germany” British statesman William Pitt
French and Indian War beginning of colonial unity
Before certain colonies had enjoyed advantage of remoteness, now needed to come together to fight French

12. V. Global War and Colonial Disunity
1754 Colonists meet Albany, NY
Plan to keep Indians in check, achieve colonial unity, common defense against French
7 of 13 colonies show up
Ben Franklin “Join or Die” slogan, presents Albany Plan for colonial home rule (rejected by British), colonists could not agree on details
First sign of colonial unity

13. VI. Braddock’s Blundering and Its Aftermath
Indians allied with French, worried about British settlement
First part of war went badly for British
Slow moving, heavy artillery
Poorly supplied, poorly disciplined colonial militia
Smaller French force defeated them at Ft. Duquesne (Pittsburg)
Opened up frontier from NC to PA to Indian attack
Losses began to pile up for British

14. VII. Pitt’s Palms of Victory
1757- William Pitt becomes leader of London gov’t
Stopped concentrating on West Indies, focused on Canada
Understood colonial concerns
Offered colonists a compromise:
col. loyalty & mil. cooperation-->Br. would reimburse col. assemblies for their costs.
Remove oppressive gov’t. officials
Result was improved colonial morale by 1758
1758 Louisbourg defeated
32 year old James Wolfe commanded troops that attacked and defeated Quebec (1759)
1760 Montreal falls, last French stronghold
1763 Treaty of Paris French give up all claims in NA
Spain received all land west of MS River and New Orleans
British emerged as dominant regional power, worlds most powerful navy

15. VIII. Restless Colonials
Effects of the war on the colonies
Colonists came out of war confident, shattered myth of British invincibility
Barriers of disunity began to dissolve
Colonists found unity in language, tradition, ideals
Friction between colonials and British officers
Colonials felt they deserved credit for war effort
British said they did not support cause
Smuggling by colonists helped FR and SP
British position – colonists demand rights, without paying dues, war increased British debt

16. IX. War’s Fateful Aftermath
With Fr gone colonists could roam freely across Appalachian Mts.
Spanish, Indian threat reduced
Indians could not play Br and Fr against each other
1763 Ottawa chief Pontiac led attacks on settlers
British retaliated (gave Indians smallpox infected blankets)
British saw need to stabilize frontier now that it was open to settlement

17. IX. War’s Fateful Aftermath
Proclamation of 1763
Prohibited settlement west of Appalachian Mts.
Designed not to oppress colonists but to solve Indian problem
Colonists viewed it as form of oppression
Settlers went west anyway in defiance of royal authority

18. The Road to Revolution

19. I. Deep Roots of Revolution
Victory in Seven Years War costly
After 1763 British wanted colonists to take on financial burden
Change in policy reinforced sense of American identity
American experience caused colonists to question ways of the Old World, colonists felt fundamentally different from British
Americans had grown accustomed to running own affairs, shock when British try to crack down
Two ideas emerged during colonial experience- republicanism, ideas of Whigs

20. I. Deep Roots of Revolution
Republicanism
Society where citizens subordinate selfish interests to common good
Stability of government depended on authority of “good” government
Opposed to authoritarian institutions (monarchy, aristocracy)
Whig Political Thought
Threat to liberty by monarch
Warned citizens to be on guard against corruption
People should be represented by elected officials

21. II. Mercantilism and Colonial Grievances
British authorities embraced policy of mercantilism (countries wealth measured by gold and silver, needed to export more than import)
Colonists felt if handcuffed American trade
Colonies provided raw materials, acted a market for finished products
Enumerated goods, certain products could only be shipped to England
To the British the Americans were tenants, not built for economic self sufficiency or self government

22. II. Merits and Menace of Mercantilism
Merits of Mercantilism
British tried to regulate colonial trade (Navigation Acts 1650)
Before 1763 Navigation Laws not a burden, lack of enforcement called “salutary neglect”
Tobacco planters had a monopoly in Britain
Americans had some form self-government.
British mightiest army in the world, colonists didn’t have to pay for it.
Repressive laws weren’t enforced much, average American benefited much more than the average Englishman.
Mistakes that occurred didn’t occur out of malice, at least until revolution.
France and Spain embraced mercantilism, enforced it heavily.

23. II. Merits and Menace of Mercantilism
After enforcement of mercantilist policies fuse of revolution was lit
Stifled economic initiative
Dependent on British agents and creditors
State of perpetual economic adolescence
The South, which produced crops that weren’t grown in England, was preferred over the North
Colonists felt British were taking advantage of them

24. III. Mercantilism and Colonial Grievances
Currency shortage in colonies
Regularly bought more than they sold to Britain, trade with West Indies drained cash
Colonies needed hard currency
Parliament prohibited colonies to print money, they did anyway
Colonists saw interests being sacrificed for British commercial interests
British also could nullify any colonial legislation (did not happen often)
Principle weighed more heavily than practice

25. IV. The Stamp Tax Uproar
Half of British debt came from Seven Years War, wanted colonists to pay for own defense
Britain began to redefine relationship with colonies
1763- Prime Minister George Greenville began to enforce Navigation Acts
1764- Parliament passed Sugar Act- duty on imported sugar
1765- Quartering Act, required certain colonies to provide food and lodging troops

26. IV. The Stamp Tax Uproar 1765 worst of all the Stamp Act
Mandated the use of stamps, certifying payment of tax.
Required on bills of sale for about 50 trade items and on certain types of commercial and legal documents.
Both the Stamp Act and the Sugar Act offenders tried in the admiralty courts, where defenders were guilty until proven innocent
Greenville felt taxes were justified, British paid much heavier tax

27. IV. The Stamp Tax Uproar Colonists angry at fiscal aggression
Colonial assemblies refused to provide supplies for troops
Felt they were unfairly taxed for unnecessary army, lashed out against the stamp tax.
Americans formed the battle cry, “No taxation without representation!”
Angered, to the principle of the matter at hand.
Americans denied the right of Parliament to tax Americans, since none were in Parliament.
Idea of “virtual representation,” every Parliament member represented all British subjects (so Americans were represented).
Americans rejected “virtual representation”, began to consider political independence

28. V. Forced Repeal of the Stamp Act
1765- Stamp Act Congress drew up statement of rights and grievances, asked king and Parliament to repeal tax
Congress made colonies feel unified against common cause
Colonists began to boycott imported British goods, more effective than congress
Ordinary people began to participate in colonial protests, opportunity for women “spinning bees”

29. V. Forced Repeal of the Stamp Act
Sons and Daughters of Liberty took the law into their own hands
Punished people who purchased goods, stormed the houses of important officials
Machinery to collect tax broke down, no officials to collect taxes
Hit England hard (25% of exports purchased by colonies)
Parliament confused, Britons had to pay much heavier taxes
1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act, passed the Declaratory Act, defined British had unqualified sovereignty over the colonies

30. VII. The Townshend Tea Tax and the Boston Massacre
Americans in rebellious mood after victory over Stamp Act
1767 Charles “Champagne Charley” Townshend persuaded Parliament to pass the Townshend Acts
Revenue to pay salaries of royal officials in America
Taxes on lead, paper, paint, and tea, later repealed, except tea.
1767- New York’s legislature suspended for failure to comply with the Quartering Act.
Tea became smuggled, to enforce the law, Brits had to send troops to America

31. VII. The Townshend Tea Tax and the Boston Massacre
March 5, 1770, a crowd of about 60 townspeople in Boston were harassing some ten Redcoats.
One fellow got hit in the head, another got hit by a club.
Without orders but heavily provoked, the troops opened fire, wounding or killing eleven “innocent” citizens, including Crispus Attucks, a black former-slave and the “leader” of the mob in the Boston Massacre. Attucks became a symbol of freedom (from slave, to freeman, to martyr who stood up to Britain for liberty).
Only two Redcoats were prosecuted, represented by John Adams

32. VIII. The Seditious Committees of Correspondence
1770- King George III good person, but a poor ruler who surrounded himself with “yes men”, like Lord North.
Townshend Taxes repealed, except for the tea tax, kept alive idea of parliamentary taxation
1772- Resistance kept alive through Committees of Correspondence, organized by Samuel Adams
1773- Intercolonial committees established, exchanged letters, exchanged ideas and information, kept alive opposition across all colonies

33. IX. Tea Brewing in Boston
1773- British East India Company, overburdened with unsold tea, was facing bankruptcy.
The British decided to sell it to the Americans,
Seen as an attempt to trick the Americans with the bait of cheaper tea to pay tax.
December 16, 1773, some Whites, led by patriot Samuel Adams, disguised themselves as Indians, opened 342 chests and dumped the tea into the ocean in this “Boston Tea Party.”
People in Annapolis did the same and burnt the ships to water level.
Reaction was varied, from approval to outrage to disapproval.
British felt they had no alternative but to whip colonists into shape

34. X. Parliament Passes the Intolerable Acts
1774- Parliament passed a series of repressive acts to punish the colonies, namely Massachusetts.
Called the Intolerable Acts by Americans.
The Boston Port Act closed the harbor in Boston.
Self-government limited by forbidding town hall meetings without approval.
The charter to Massachusetts was revoked
The Quebec Act
Intended by British to administer conquered territory
Guaranteed Catholicism to the French-Canadians, retain their old customs, extended the old boundaries of Quebec all the way to the Ohio River (areas off limits by Proclamation of 1763)
Americans saw their territory threatened, aroused anti-Catholics, lack of representative assemblies or trial by jury seen as a dangerous precedent, land speculators see huge area taken away

35. XI. Bloodshed
Philadelphia First Continental Congress met to discuss problems.
Not wanting independence yet, came up with a list of grievances, ignored in Parliament.
12 of 13 colonies met, only Georgia didn’t have a representative there.
Came up with a Declaration of Rights.
Meet again in 1775 (the next year) if nothing happened.
The “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”
April 1775, the British commander in Boston sent troops to nearby Lexington and Concord, seize supplies, capture Sam Adams and John Hancock.
Minutemen, after having eight of their own killed at Lexington, fought back at Concord, British retreat to Boston

36. XII. Imperial Strength and Weakness
Britain had the heavy advantage:
7.5 million people to America’s 2 million
superior naval power
great wealth, could hire mercenaries (German Hessians)
Little popular support in Britain
Whigs wanted American victory, feared George III arbitrary rule
Generals poor, soldiers well trained
Provisions scarce
Fighting far from home
American geography, lack of population centers gave Americans time, British fits

37. XII. American Pluses and Minuses
Advantages
Great leaders -George Washington (giant general), and Ben Franklin (smooth diplomat).
French aid (indirect and secretly), provided the Americans with guns, supplies, gunpowder, etc…
Marquis de Lafayette a great asset.
Fighting in a defensive manner, and they were self-sustaining.
They were better marksmen. A competent American rifleman could hit a man’s head at 200 yards.
Americans enjoyed the moral advantage in fighting for a just cause

38. XII. American Pluses and Minuses
Disadvantages
Lacking in unity, though:
Colonies resented the Continental Congress’ attempt at exercising power
Sectional jealousy over the appointment of military leaders
Americans had little money. Inflation also hit families of soldiers hard, and made many people poor.
Colonial money worthless, inflation of prices for basic goods
Americans had nothing of a navy.

39. XIII. A Thin Line of Heroes
American army was desperately in need of clothing, wool, wagons to ship food, and other supplies.
Many soldiers had also only received rudimentary training.
German Baron von Steuben, who spoke no English, whipped the soldiers into shape
African Americans fought in the beginning, many colonies barred them from service.
By war’s end, more than 5,000 blacks had enlisted in the American armed forces.
African-Americans served on the British side.
1775, Lord Dunmore, royal governor of Virginia, issued a proclamation declaring freedom for any enslaved black in Virginia who joined the British Army.
End of war more than 1,400 Blacks were evacuated to Nova Scotia, Jamaica, and England.
Many people also sold items to the British, because they paid in gold.
Many people just didn’t care about the revolution, raising a large number of troops was difficult
Select few threw themselves into the cause with passion

40. America Secedes from the Empire

41. I. Congress Drafts George Washington
May 1775 all colonies meet 2nd Continental Congress
No well defined sentiment for independence
Adopted measures to raise money for army and navy, sent list of grievances to George III
Most important action was selecting George Washington as military commander (moral force, great military mind)
Selection largely political , from VA, most revolutionaries from New England area

42. Military Strategies Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line].
The Americans
Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line].
Guerilla tactics [fight an insurgent war  you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down]
Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies.
The British
Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So.
Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally.
“Divide and Conquer”  use the Loyalists.

43. II. Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings, Abortive Conquest of Canada
Americans fighting war, but not declaring independence for 15 month period ( April July 1776)
1775 Americans capture Ft. Ticonderoga, get gunpowder and cannons
June 1775 Bunker Hill American hold off British attack until gunpowder runs out
August 1775 King George formally proclaims colonies were in rebellion, begins to hire German (Hessian) troops, Americans were guilty of treason
Fall 1775 British capture Falmouth, Maine, Americans plan attack on Canada, they are not successful

44. III. Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense
1776- Thomas Paine published the pamphlet Common Sense, urged colonials to stop war of inconsistency, stop pretending loyalty, and just fight.
Nowhere in the universe did a smaller body control a larger one, it was unnatural for tiny Britain to control gigantic America.
He called King George III “the Royal Brute of Great Britain.”

45. V. Paine and the Idea of Republicanism
Idea that there should be a “republic” where representative senators, governors, and judges should have their power from the consent of the people (POWER FLOWS FROM PEOPLE TO THE GOV’T)
Ideas with Biblical imagery, familiar to common folk.
Rejecting monarchy and empire and embrace an independent republic fell on receptive ears in America, ideas already existed.
The New Englanders already practiced this type of government in their town meetings.
Some patriots, favored a republic ruled by a “natural aristocracy” (John Adams), thought too much liberty would destroy social order (runaway republicanism)

46. VI. Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence
2nd Continental Congress gradually moved toward a clean break with Britain.
June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee urged for complete independence, adopted on July 2, 1776.
Congress appointed Thomas Jefferson to write Declaration of Independence.
Contained a list of grievances against King George III explaining why the colonies had the right to revolt.
His “explanation” of independence also upheld the “natural rights” of humankind (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness).
Congress approved it on July 2nd, but because of editing and final approval, it was not completely approved until July 4th, 1776.

47. VII. Patriots and Loyalists
War within a war, not all colonials were united.
Patriots, who supported rebellion and were called “Whigs.”
Loyalists, who supported the king and who often went to battle against fellow Americans, also called “Tories.”
Moderates in the middle and those who didn’t care either way. These people were constantly being asked to join one side or another.
British proved that they could only control Tory areas, because when Redcoats packed up and left other areas, the rebels would regain control
Patriots good at political reeducation, agents of revolutionary ideas

48. VII. Patriots and Loyalists
Typical Loyalist (Tory)
Generally conservatives, educated, older, war divided families
Loyalists were most numerous where the Anglican Church was strongest (the South).
Loyalists were less numerous in New England, where Presbyterianism and Congregationalism flourished.
Loyalists were more numerous in the aristocratic areas such as Charleston, SC

49. VII. Patriots and Loyalists
Typical Patriot
The Patriots were generally the younger generation, like Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry.
From places where self-government was strong and mercantilism weak
The Patriot militias constantly harassed small British detachments.
Patriots typically didn’t belong to the Anglican Church (Church of England) but were Congregational, Presbyterian, Baptist, or Methodist.
There were also “profiteers” who sold to the highest bidder, selling to the British and ignoring starving, freezing soldiers (i.e. George Washington at Valley Forge).

50. VIII. The Loyalist Exodus
After the Declaration of Independence, Loyalists and Patriots sharply divided
Patriots often confiscated Loyalist property to resell it (an easy way to raise money)
Loyalists attacked and harassed, no reign of terror like France or Russia
50,000 Loyalists served the British in one way or another (fighting, spying, etc…), British did not make enough use of them

51. Phase I: The Northern Campaign [1775-1776]

52. The British suffered over 40% casualties.
Bunker Hill (June, 1775)
The British suffered over 40% casualties.

53. Phase II:
NY & PA [ ]

54. Washington Crossing the Delaware

55. Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War?

56. Britain’s Southern Strategy
Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South.
Southerners not as vocal in support of Revolution, thought it might inspire slave revolt
Southern resources more valuable/worth preserving.
British win small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside [similar to U. S. failures in Vietnam!]
Georgia , Charleston, SC 1780
Carolinas, Patriots bitterly fought their Loyalist neighbors.
1781, rebel victories King’s Mountain, Cowpens in NC
Quaker- reared Gen. Nathanael Greene strategy of delay.
Retreating and losing battles but winning campaigns, clear the British out of most of Georgia and South Carolina.

57. IX. REVOLUTION IN DIPLOMACY?
France wanted revenge on Britain, secretly supplied the Americans throughout much of the war.
Continental Congress sent delegates to France; delegates were guided by a “Model Treaty” sought no political/military connections, only commercial ones.
Ben Franklin, American diplomat to France, exemplifed a raw new America
After Saratoga (1777), the British offered the Americans a measure that gave them home rule—everything they wanted except independence.

58. IX. REVOLUTION IN DIPLOMACY?
After Saratoga, France enters war against Britain.
If Britain regained control, might then try to capture the French West Indies for compensation
Did not want to risk a stronger Britain with its reunited colonies.
France, 1778, offered a treaty of alliance, offering America everything that Britain had offered, plus recognition of independence.
The Americans accepted agreement with caution, France was pro-Catholic, but since the Americans needed help, they’d take it.
Official recognition of American independence by European power

59. X. The Colonial War Becomes a Wider War
1779, Spain and Holland entered war against Britain.
1780, Catherine the Great of Russia organized the Armed Neutrality (she later called it the Armed Nullity), lined up all of Europe’s neutrals in passive hostility against England.
America, though it kept the war going until 1778, didn’t win until France, Spain, and Holland joined in and Britain couldn’t handle them all.
Britain, decided to evacuate Philadelphia, concentrate forces in New York, Washington bottled up British in NY

60. XI. Blow and Counterblow
1780 –French reinforcements arrive in Rhode Island.
Feeling unappreciated and lured by British gold, Gen. Benedict Arnold turned traitor by plotting with the British to sell out West Point.
When the plot was discovered, he fled with the British.

61. XII. The Land and Sea Frontier
1777 -the “bloody year” on the frontier
Most Indians supported Britain, believed they would stop American expansion into the West
Mohawk chief Joseph Brant, recently converted to Anglicanism, and his men attacked the backcountry of Pennsylvania, New York defeated 1779.
1784, pro-British Iroquois signed the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, the first treaty between the U.S. and an Indian nation.
Indians ceded most of their land.
Pioneers continued to move west
George Rogers Clark, captured British forts
American navy never really hurt the British warships, but it did destroy British merchant shipping, carried the war into the waters around the British Isles.
Privateers captured ships forced them to sail in convoys.

62. XIII. Yorktown and the Final Curtain
inflation continued to soar, government was virtually bankrupt, could not repay debts
In the Chesapeake Cornwallis was blundering into a trap
Retreating to Chesapeake Bay Cornwallis instead was trapped by Washington’s army, Rochambeau’s French army, and the French navy
King George wanted to continue the war, fighting continued for about a year after Yorktown mostly in the south
Patriot/ Loyalist fighting
Washington had to keep army happy, unified during this time

63. XIV. Peace at Paris Brits were weary of the war, suffered heavily
Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay met in Paris for a peace deal.
Jay suspected France would try to keep the U.S. cooped up east of the Alleghenies and keep America weak.
Jay, thinking that France would betray American ambition to Spain, secretly made separate overtures to London (against instructions from Congress)
Came to terms quickly with the British, who were eager to entice one of their enemies from the alliance.
The Treaty of Paris of 1783
Britain formally recognized U.S. granted generous boundaries, Mississippi River to the west, Great Lakes on the north, Spanish Florida on the South.
Yankees retained a share in fisheries off Newfoundland.
Americans couldn’t persecute Loyalists, though, and Congress could only recommend legislature that would return or pay for confiscated Loyalist land.
Did not keep obligation to Loyalists

64. XV. A New Nation Legitimized
Britain ceded so much land because it was trying to entice America from its French alliance.
American-friendly Whigs were in control of the Parliament
France approved the treaty, though with cautious eyes.
America came out the big winner

65. Loyalists
Loyalists were conservative, well-educated, and thought that a complete break with Britain would invite anarchy.
They felt that America couldn’t win against the most powerful nation in the world.
Many Britons had settled in America after the Seven Years’ War, and they had reason to support their home country.
Thousands of African-Americans joined the British ranks for hope of freedom from bondage.
Many Black Loyalists won their freedom from Britain.
Others suffered betrayal, such as when Cornwallis abandoned over 4,000 former slaves in Virginia and when many Black Loyalists boarded ships expecting to embark for freedom but instead found themselves sold back into slavery.
Some Black exiles settled in Britain, but weren’t really easily accepted.
Most Loyalists remained in America, where they faced special burdens and struggled to re-establish themselves in a society that viewed them as traitors.