The American Revolution Chapter 8 Objective: Assess the importance of Paine’s Common Sense in bringing about Independence

Important Events of the Revolution Events in Chronology:Events in Chronology: –Fighting at Lexington and Concord. –Convening of the Second Continental Congress. –Publication of Common Sense by Thomas Paine. –Adoption of the Declaration of Independence. 2

The Shot Heard ’Round the World! Lexington & Concord – April 18,1775

The Second Continental Congress (1775) All 13 colonies presentAll 13 colonies present Decided to go to war and named G. Washington head of Continental ArmyDecided to go to war and named G. Washington head of Continental Army Set plan to raise money and to create an army and navySet plan to raise money and to create an army and navy Olive Branch Petition:Olive Branch Petition: –Last ditch effort to prevent all out war –Pledged loyalty to crown, sought to restore peace –Ignored by King George

The Enlightenment Colonists used the ideas of the Enlightenment to justify their protestColonists used the ideas of the Enlightenment to justify their protest –John Locke wrote that people have natural rights (life, liberty, & property) & should oppose tyranny –Rousseau believed that citizens have a social contract with their gov’t; is contract broken, rebellion justified –Montesquieu argued that power should not be in the hands of a king, but separated among gov’t branches

Thomas Paine: Common Sense Author of pamphlet Argued that Independence was “common sense” due to distance and mistreatment of England towards the colonies Included John Locke’s idea of “natural rights”

Examining Excerpts from Thomas Paine’s Common Sense In teams, read the 6 excerpts from Common SenseIn teams, read the 6 excerpts from Common Sense Discuss what the excerpt means in your own words!Discuss what the excerpt means in your own words! Match each quotation in the chart with its appropriate interpretation in the slides that followMatch each quotation in the chart with its appropriate interpretation in the slides that follow Write the summarized main idea in your chartWrite the summarized main idea in your chart

1 If Britain is the “mother” country, then why is she treating us this way? Mothers are not supposed to “eat” their children

2 America is a continent that is controlled by a small island… this is crazy

3 It is incorrect to say that America can only be wealthy if we remain connected to Britain

4 The only reason Britain protected the colonies was to protect herself

5 The only way to maintain peace is by achieving independence from Britain; We should declare independence now while we remain calm

6 There is nothing to gain from improving our relationship with Britain and remaining her loyal colonists

Declaration of Independence Analysis (1776)

By 1750, the American colonists were loyal British citizens with autonomous, self-governing colonial assemblies and a thriving trade connection with England Turning Point! England defeated France in the French and Indian War ( ) The policy of salutary neglect ended as Britain imposed greater political authority over the colonies, raised new taxes to pay off war debts, and refused to allow colonists representation in Parliament Proclamation of 1763 Stamp Act (1765) Sons of Liberty formed Townshend Acts (1767) Boston Massacre (1770) Second Continental Congress (1775) Lexington and Concord (1775) First Continental Congress (1774) Intolerable Acts (1774) Revolutionary War ( ) Boston Tea Party (1773) Paine’s Common Sense (1776) Declaration of Independence (1776)

Class Discussion:Class Discussion: –Rank order the top 3 events that contributed the most to the growing divide between Britain & her colonies Should Common Sense be included in this top 3 ranking? If so, where? If not, why?Should Common Sense be included in this top 3 ranking? If so, where? If not, why? –What changed the most over this 13-year period ( )? –What could the English gov’t have done to prevent this? –What could the colonists have done?

BritainAmericans Advantages?? Disadvantages?? On the Eve of the Revolution ?

Washington’s Headaches Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war State/colony loyalties. Congress couldn’t tax Poor training

LoyalistStrongholds: Who would Be a loyalist?

Fighting Sides PatriotsLoyalistsNeutralNative Am. African Am. -40% -New England -Rebels -politically radical -younger generation -better at gaining support from neutral colonists -20% Population - “Tories” -fought to restore the crown -politically conservative -older generation -educated and wealthy aristocrats port cities About 40% pop. At first -most turned to Patriot cause -most fought with the British -Lord Dunmore (VA) offered freedom to all blacks served for Brit.

Military Strategies Attrition Guerilla tactics [you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down] Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies. The AmericansThe British Break the colonies in half Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods Use the Loyalists.

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

Phase II: NY & PA [ ]

New York City in Flames (1776)

Why were Trenton and Princeton Important? Canadian invasion had failedCanadian invasion had failed Fall of 1776, Patriot cause was at its lowest pointFall of 1776, Patriot cause was at its lowest point Washington’s recrossing of Delaware River and 2 victories were crucial for morale and preventing NE from being cut off from rest of the coloniesWashington’s recrossing of Delaware River and 2 victories were crucial for morale and preventing NE from being cut off from rest of the colonies

Washington Crossing the Delaware Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851

Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War- leads to French assistance Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War- leads to French assistance A modern-day re-enactment

The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Count de Rochambeau Admiral De Grasse

Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown: Painted by John Trumbull, 1797 “The World Turned Upside Down!”

Peace! Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, It said that 1.Britain recognized the United States as an independent nation 2.the United States territory extended west to the Mississippi River and from Canada in the north to Spanish Florida in the south 3.the British promised to withdraw all troops 4.the United States agreed that British merchants could collect on debts owed by Americans 5.property taken from Loyalists would be returned to them

North America After the Treaty of Paris, 1783

So What? So What? The American Revolution led to an independent America, future world-wide revolutions, and set the example that "the people" could be trusted to run their own government.The American Revolution led to an independent America, future world-wide revolutions, and set the example that "the people" could be trusted to run their own government.