1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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…

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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