Pick a Side: Loyalist or Patriot? Colonists had to decide where their loyalty lied Loyalists sided with the British Crown Some had served under the king Most with modest means far from the cities Patriots sided with the United States Many wanted the economic opportunity of an independent America Almost half of the nation Many Americans remained neutral

Paying for the War Ran out of gold and silver so they borrowed money by selling bonds to Americans and foreign governments Printed paper money, continentals, to pay causing inflation (where the money is not worth much) To pay for the soldiers, Robert Morris and Haym Salomon barrowed on their personal credit

Wasn’t Just the White Men Wives would help both at home at on the battle field Some would repair clothing, others would follow their husbands and take their place if needed Some would make ammunition out of their household silver Thousands of African-Americans escaped to freedom Some joined Native American tribes Others joined the colonists to fight against Britain

The French to the Rescue The French had been smuggling weapons to the colonists since 1776 The Americans won a battle at Saratoga that finally convinced the French to support the Revolution The French joined an alliance with the Americans to not make peace with Britain unless Britain recognized American Independence But, it would take awhile for French aide to arrive…

Yorktown- It’s all over The British plan to take Yorktown and then take all of Virginia Two French fleets and the Americans attack the British They blocked off the sea and bombarded the British day and night for about a month On October 7th, 1781, the British surrendered at Yorktown

Peace Time: Treaty of Paris Peace talks began in Paris in 1782 with the United States, Great Britain, France, and Spain Spain joined in hopes of gaining some land Continental Congress sent their all stars: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay In 1783, signed the Treaty of Paris which guaranteed US freedom and set the boundaries Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi Rive and from Canada to Florida

Future Trouble British did not protect the land for Native Americans Did not say if the British had to evacuate their American forts British creditors could collect debts owed to them by the Americans Loyalists allowed to sue in state courts for recovery for their losses

Egalitarianism Distinctions between rich and poor had blurred Egalitarianism- a belief in the equality of all people Ability, effort, and virtue defined one’s worth But, women, Native Americans and African Americans didn’t get the benefit