The American Revolution

Brain Pop: American Revolution

The American Revolution 1775 to 1783 An armed conflict broke out between Britain and her 13 colonies The 13 colonies did not want to pay increased taxes to Britain. Those who fought against the British were called patriots.

Patriots Patriots were a small group of radicals. The Patriots came from every level of colonial society: ◦ George Washington & Thomas Jefferson ◦ Wealthy ◦ Paul Revere ◦ silversmith ◦ John Hancock ◦ Merchant ◦ The Minutemen ◦ Ordinary people

Loyalists The Loyalists were divided into two groups: ◦ Active Loyalists were those who were not scared by the tarring and feathering. ◦ Subject to persecution, most were British government. ◦ Inactive Loyalists were those who continued to support the king, but did got get involved.

Loyalists Loyalists= those who sided with the British. Loyalists recent immigrants Some were German and Dutch. Feared that the revolution would threaten their language, religion and customs. The Patriots wanted a Democratic Government

Molly Brant A Mohawk, who became a leader of her people and one of the most important Loyalists. She was married to Sir William Johnson. He helped establish the Proclamation Line. She was head of The Society of Six Nations Matrons. Her advice was to remain loyal to Britain.

Molly Brant By 1774, Iroquois chiefs were ready for war against the Patriots. In the spring of 1777, Molly was forced to move from Mohawk Valley because Patriots had destroyed her home. He knew Molly would be able to convince the Iroquois to fight with the British.

Molly Brant The British king had given away the Iroquois land to the Patriots. The Iroquois Loyalists were offered new land near the Bay of Quinte. Molly was offered money to return to Mohawk Valley. Asked to control the Natives

Neutral Quakers and Mennonites: against the conflict and therefore fore had to pay special taxes for this privilege.

Loyalists The Loyalist regiments faced more dangers than the regular British soldiers. The Patriots looked on the Loyalists as traitors, so they were harder on them. Tarring and feathering was used by Patriots to terrorize Loyalists. There not many actual cases; however, the threat became the most effective weapon against the Loyalists

Patriot Victory In 1776, the Patriots had an army of 18,000 of poorly armed and trained men. The British had a force of 30,000. Yet, the Patriots were victors. How did this happen?

Patriot Victory The British had trouble in the countryside. The Patriots had better tactics and were familiar with the surroundings. In 1778, France signed an alliance with the Patriots. In 1781, the British surrendered to George Washington’s army.

The Treaty of Paris The peace treaty went into effect in 1783 In the treaty, Britain agreed to do the following: ◦ Recognize American Independence ◦ Turn over to the United States all the land from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic coast between the Great Lakes and Florida ◦ Give the Americans fishing rights off the coast of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. In return, Britain wanted the Loyalists paid back for the losses they suffered during the war. The Congress agreed, but the Loyalists were never paid.

Evacuation of the Loyalists Loyalist soldiers often found that they could not return home. The Law of Forfeiture in NY allowed rebel agents to evict the wives and children of British regiments. Thousands of Loyalists were in refugee camps in New York City Many were transported to British colonies, such as NS. They received special land grants for their service.

Creation of New Brunswick The Loyalists were given a few supplies. Many of the Loyalists were well educated. They had their own ideas about how the colony should be run. The St. John Loyalists become a separate colony. In 1784, the British government created the colony New Brunswick.

Impact on Canada Thousands of Loyalists fled to present-day Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI. By 1784, 40,000 Loyalists had arrived in British North America. The Loyalists who came to these British colonies cleared and settled new land. They helped to open up and develop the land that would one day become Canada.