First Continental Congress (1774) 55 delegates from 12 colonies Agenda  How to respond to the Coercive Acts & the Quebec Act? 1 vote per colony represented.

The British Are Coming... Paul Revere & William Dawes make their midnight ride to warn the Minutemen of approaching British soldiers.

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

The Second Continental Congress (1775) Olive Branch Petition

Thomas Paine : Common Sense

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Declaration of Independence

Independence Hall

New National Symbols

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

Exports & Imports:

Wholesale Price Index:

LoyalistStrongholds

Washington’s Headaches Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral]. State/colony loyalties. Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben.

Military Strategies 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 AmericansThe 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.

Phase I: The Northern Campaign [ ]

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

Phase II: NY & PA [ ]

New York City in Flames (1776)

Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War? Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War? A modern-day re-enactment

Phase III: The Southern Strategy [ ]

North America After the Treaty of Paris, 1783

Indian Land Cessions:

Disputed Territorial Claims Between Spain & the U. S.:

State Claims to Western Lands

Northwest Ordinance of 1785

The United States in 1787

Britain’s “Southern Strategy” Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South. Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving. The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside [similar to U. S. failures in Vietnam!] Good US General: Nathanial Greene

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!”