1. The Legacy of the War
Chapter 7, Section 4

2. Key Terms
Treaty of Paris of 1783 – the treaty that ended the Revolutionary War, confirming the independence of the United States and setting the boundaries of the new nation
Republicanism – the belief that government should be based on the consent of the people; people exercise their power by voting for political representatives
Elizabeth Freeman – sued for her freedom in a Massachusetts court and won in 1781; her case (and others) helped end slavery in MA
Richard Allen – preacher who helped start the Free African Society and founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church

3. Bell Ringer
These questions will help you understand the soldiers’ life.
1. Read “A Voice from the Past” on page How does Joseph Plumb Martin react to the end of the war? Do you think other soldiers felt as he did?
2. Give an example from your own experience of ties forged through shared difficulties.

4. For many, it seemed the impossible had happened
For many, it seemed the impossible had happened. How had the Americans defeated one of the most powerful nations in the world?
advantage of fighting on home ground
patriotic spirit
skilled leadership
help from abroad

5. Peace talks between the two sides were held in Paris, France.
The long war for independence was finally over. Now, it was time to make peace.
Peace talks between the two sides were held in Paris, France.
American
delegation
Benjamin
Franklin
John Adams
British
delegation
Paris,
France

6. Why the Americans Won
1. What drawbacks did the Americans have to overcome?
They lacked training and experience
Often short of supplies and weapons
2. What factors aided the Americans?
Better leadership
Foreign aid
Knowledge of the land
Motivation

7. The talks resulted in the Treaty of Paris
The talks resulted in the Treaty of Paris. The treaty was approved by Congress in April 1783.
Treaty of Paris
Britain recognized American independence.
Both sides agreed to new U.S. boundaries.

8. North America in 1783
The boundaries of the new nation were:
Canada on the north
the Mississippi River on the west
Florida on the south
Florida was returned to Spain.

10. The Treaty of Paris
3. What was the most important condition of the Treaty of Paris?
The United States was independent
4. What provisions benefited the British? The Americans? The Loyalists?
British  Repayment of debts
Americans  Independence, land, rights to fish off Canada, return of slaves
Loyalists  Seized property was to be returned

11. Congress had no power to tax, and the states had little money.
Soldiers and civilians alike were affected by the financial burdens of paying for the war.
Congress had no power to tax, and the states had little money.
Amount printed
Continental
Value
Congress printed continentals to pay expenses, but the money soon lost its value.

12. Costs of the War 5. What were some of the human costs of the war?
25,700 Americans died; 1,400 missing; 8,200 wounded
10,000 British died
Soldiers who survived had no money; they received land, but often sold it for money
6. What financial problems did the war leave for the new nation?
The war left the nation with a debt of about 27 million dollars

13. Costs of the War
7. Why do you think the Loyalists left the United States?
They were afraid of reprisals
They wanted to remain under British rule
8. How did the Loyalists change Canada?
They settled new towns and provinces
Brought English traditions to areas that the French had settled
Today, Canada has both English and French as official languages

14. Issues After the War 9. Explain the idea of republicanism.
Instead of a king, the people would rule
Government would obtain its authority from the citizens and be responsible to them
10. How did the citizenship obligations of men and women differ?
Only some men were allowed to take part in governing by voting or holding public office
Women could help by teaching their children the virtues that benefitted public life – honesty, duty, and willingness to make sacrifices

15. The immediate effect of the Revolution was to create a new nation—the United States of America.
The nation was made up of thirteen independent states, linked by custom and history.

16. Issues After the War
11. How did the new principles of government affect other aspects of American life?
Religious freedom
Separation of church and state
Slavery
12. How did free African Americans take on the responsibility of trying to improve their lives?
They began self-help organizations and African American churches

17. The long-term effects of the Revolution, however, continue today.
American
Revolution
• The ideals of equality and liberty continue to gain broader meaning.
• The Revolution has inspired independence movements around the world.