1. Chapter 8: America Secedes from the Empire

2. 2nd Continental Congress
met in Philadelphia in 1775
All 13 colonies were represented
objective - draft a set of appeals to which the king would respond
independence not a widely accepted goal
Drafts George Washington

3. Start of the War
 April 1775 to July 1776, the colonists were mixed in their feelings for independence
May 1775, a small American force -  captured the British garrisons at Ticonderoga and Crown Point
June 1775, the colonists captured Bunker Hill., But British took it back
July 1775, the Second Continental Congress released the "Olive Branch Petition“
rejected by the king
August 1775, King George III proclaimed that the colonies were in rebellion
Americans try to take part of Canada – 14th colony – unsuccessful

4. Thomas Paine – Common sense
Americans continued to deny any intention of independence because loyalty to the empire was deeply ingrained
colonial unity was poor; and open rebellion was dangerous
Jan argued that colonies had outgrown any need for English domination and that they should be given independence
called for the creation of a new kind of political society, specifically a republic, where power flowed from the people 

5. Declaration of Independence
second Continental Congress
Thomas Jefferson voted to draft
formally approved by Congress on July 4, 1776
more of an "explanation" of why the colonists sought their independence

6. Patriots vs. Loyalists
 Loyalists were called "Tories" and the Patriots were called "Whigs.
American Revolution was a minority movement
Most colonists were apathetic or neutral
Patriot militias did a good job of winning the "hearts and minds" of the colonists
Loyalists
Many educated and wealthy
most numerous where  Anglican church was strongest
Located in New York City, Charleston, Quaker Pennsylvania, and New Jersey
Persecuted more after D.O.I
Patriots
numerous where Presbyterianism and Congregationalism flourished
mostly in New England

7. The War
Both sides attempted to split forces and block or control harbors
George Washington and The Battle of Long Beach
Burgoyne's Blunder & The Battle of Saratoga
After Americans could receive aid from France

8. French alliance
France began by only offering economic support and a few generals
After battle of Saratoga – Britain looked like they would offer home rule  France feared reconciliation
France promised full alliance and help in all ways against the British
Other nations also begin wars against Britain – Spain and Holland

9. End of the War Privateering 1780-1781 – American gov’t almost bankrupt
privately owned and crewed vessels were authorized by gov’t during a wartime to attack and capture enemy vessels, men, cargo, etc;
diverted the enemy's manpower from the main war effort
brought in needed gold, harassed the enemy, and raised American morale
– American gov’t almost bankrupt
Yorktown
Washington and other forces blocked access to supplies
British surrender Oct. 19, 1781

10. Treaty of Paris
British formally recognized the independence of the United States. 
Florida is given to Spain.
The independent American now consisted of territory stretching to the Mississippi on the west, to the Great Lakes on the north, and to Spanish Florida on the south.
Yankees were to retain a share in the fisheries of Newfoundland
Loyalists were to no longer be prosecuted.
Congress was to recommend to the state legislatures that confiscated Loyalist property be restored
states vowed to put no lawful obstacles in the way of Loyalist property collection.
Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay negotiated the peace terms with Britain.