The American War of Independence

Colonies British founded colonies in the 1600 century 1732 they had thirteen: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia

The French and Indian War 1756 to 1763 war fought over the land in America between the English and French. It was called the Seven Years War in Europe. Called the French and Indian War because the Indians helped the French in the war against the British. The Indians had nothing to lose. The British were taking their land, the French were not. The British won, but at a cost a lot of money.

Problems War was expensive for Britain Britain was in dept Colonies should pay war dept – British thought Colonists were not allowed to produce anything Colonists had to pay taxes to Britain for everything they imported The colonists demanded more rights but not independence British Parliament refused the demand and sent troops to America

Taxes The first tax was the Sugar Act of 1764. It placed a tax on sugar imported by the colonies. Stamp Act of 1765 placed a tax on all printed material, such as newspapers and playing cards.

No Taxation without Representation The colonists claimed “no taxation without representation” because they were taxed but had no vote in Parliament and had no say in how the colonies were governed. The colonists started a boycott, or a refusal to buy certain goods, from the British.

Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty Samuel Adams led the protests in Boston against the taxes. He began a secret society called the Sons of Liberty.

The Boston Massacre 1770 4000 British soldiers went to Boston, (population 16,000) the centre of protest Many people threw stones at soldiers Soldiers defended themselves and shot into the crowd Five people were killed The event was called a ‘massacre’ by the colonists

The Boston Tea Party 1773. Only the (British-owned) East India Company was allowed to sell tea to the colonies Three ships with tea arrived in Boston harbour 60 men dressed up as Indians and went secretly on the ships They opened the barrels with axes and threw the tea into the sea

First Continental Congress 56 Delegates included George Washington, Patrick Henry and Sam Adams, met in Philadelphia in 1774. Agreed to: Boycott British goods Arm themselves and form militias Appeal to the king Fifty-six colonial leaders, including George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Sam Adams, decided to figure out what course of action to take after the Intolerable Acts were passed. They met in Philadelphia in 1774 and became known as the First Continental Congress. 12

King George III reused to allow American colonists’ representation in Parliament The king seemed to be too dignified and important to be bothered with trivial demands by the menial colonists. King George III, the leader of Great Britain, continued to be bothered by the rebels in the 13 colonies. He refused to allow for colonist representation in Parliament. He did nothing to pacify the American colonists and continued to disregard their requests. King George III 13

The Battle Of Lexington and Concord 1775. Angry Americans refused to pay taxes British went to war with them The plan of the British was to: capture Sam Adams and John Hancock (the two major trouble makers) in Lexington and march to Concord destroy the Minutemen’s (elite soldiers) supplies

British troops left Boston Colonist Paul Revere saw a lamp in the Boston Church The lamb signaled the start of the British attack to him Revere rode to Lexington and Concorde to warn the Minutemen When the British troops arrived in Lexington, the American troops were ready The first battle of the Revolutionary War began 342 People died ( 274 British soldiers, 95 American ‘Patriots’)

American Advantages Accuracy of the rifle Knowledge of the land Guerilla warfare tactics Superb command The American underdogs weren’t out of the competition. Americans were especially blessed with accuracy in shooting rifles. They had local knowledge of the land and Native American weapons and tactics. From the Native Americans, they had learned how to use the tomahawk and guerilla warfare strategies. Finally, the Americans had a superb military command with General Washington. 17

British Advantages Well-equipped Disciplined Strongest navy It seems like the British had an unfair advantage over the Americans. They had ample experience in world affairs; as previously mentioned, they were well-equipped, highly disciplined, and had the world’s strongest navy. But the Americans proved to be a different opponent than traditional armies worldwide. 18

The Declaration of Independence The United States first needed to declare independence from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson, at the young age of 33, wrote the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. That is why we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th. This is the day that the United States of America declared their independence from King George and Great Britain.

The Declaration of Independence

Key Quotes in the Declaration “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”

On July 4, 1776, the thirteen States declared their independence The declaration contained a list of things the colonists disliked and suggestions for these problems

The British reaction was to declare war August 1776: British soldiers occupied New York December 1776: George Washington stabilized the situation of the colonists because of his victory in the Battle of Trenton France supported the Americans with weapons

Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin, one of the most famous men in the world, was sent to France to ask for military aid as well as a loan. And the war was on!

More Significant Battles Saratoga Winter at Valley Forge A host of other significant battles would take place between 1777 and 1781, including those at Saratoga, the winter at Valley Forge and Yorktown. They included both high and low points for the Americans. Yorktown Were blend of successes and failures for American Army 25

Battle of Saratoga – 1777 The turning point of the war The biggest American victory at the time Approximately 5,000 British surrender to Washington A major turning point of the war occurred as a result of the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777. It was the biggest American victory at the time. British General Burgoyne surrendered to American General Horatio Gates. 26

Battle of Saratoga – 1777 After the American victory France changed its policies. Feb. 1778 France and America formed an alliance France declared war on Britain the next month Spain declared war in 1779

Battle of Yorktown—1781 French blockade aided this final battle Escape for the British was impossible British General Cornwallis faced American forces approximately twice his size John Paul Jones The end was in sight with the Battle of Yorktown. The Americans were aided by a French blockade making British escape impossible. British General Cornwallis faced American forces approximately twice his size and no where to go. 28

Yorktown Approximately 8,700 British troops surrendered Pinned in by American and French Naval fleets General Benjamin Lincoln accepted the surrender sword British bands played “The World has Turned Upside Down” The last campaign of the Revolution took place in the south at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781. About 8,700 British troops surrendered when the Americans and the French naval fleet pinned in the British in a series of brilliant strategic maneuvers. General Benjamin Lincoln accepted the surrender sword from a Cornwallis aide. The British bands played “The World Turned Upside Down.” 29

Peace British got supplies-problems France, the Netherlands and Spain fought for the Americans The British army surrendered after the siege of Yorktown, Virginia Paris 1783: The British army accepted the independence of the ex-British colonies in America

The Treaty of Paris—1783 Officially ended the American Revolution Set many geographic borders, including U.S. and Canada Florida was returned to Spain British merchants must be paid for lost items Loyalists must be paid for lost property The official end to the war came two years after Yorktown at the Treaty of Paris. The British commander, Cornwallis, was so humiliated by the defeat that he refused to meet with Washington for the formal surrender and sent an aide instead. The treaty set many geographic borders including that of the United States and Canada. Canada went to the British, but later the French won part of the country. Florida was returned to Spain. 31