During the American Revolution the overmatched colonists found a leader in George Washington and badlyneeded French assistance after the Battle of Saratoga When the war ended the Treaty of Paris in 1783 brought independence and the formation of the United States ID: 356468
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The American Revolution
During the American Revolution, the overmatched colonists found a leader in George Washington and badly-needed French assistance after the Battle of Saratoga. When the war ended, the Treaty of Paris in 1783 brought independence and the formation of the United States.
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EiSymRrKI4
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8BwWBc571kSlide2
The Declaration of Independence
By 1776, American colonists were divided into 3 groups:
Patriots
LoyalistsNeutralhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTY0V8GaeFISlide3
The Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776
By 1776, enough Americans were patriots that members of the Second Continental Congress formed a 5-man committee to draft a Declaration of Independence:
Thomas Jefferson of Virginia was the principal author.
It was based on the “enlightened” ideas of John Locke and explained why the colonists were rebelling. Slide4
The Enlightenment
The American Revolution was inspired by the Enlightenment:
John Locke – all men are born with natural rights & citizens can revolt from tyrannical governments
Montesquieu – separation of powers; checks and balancesThomas Paine’s Common Sense – urged colonial independenceSlide5
Class Activity
Examine Excerpts from the Declaration of IndependenceSlide6Slide7
The American RevolutionThe Declaration of Independence was a formal demand for separation, but the Revolutionary War had already begun in 1775:
Lexington &
Concord: “The shot heard around the world”
Formation of a Continental Army under George WashingtonAmericans were divided among Patriots, Loyalists, & neutralsSlide8
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nfHoXWeZCgSlide9
Patriots vs. Loyalists
Where were the Loyalists?
Why were Loyalists near cities?
Why are Indians Loyalists?Slide10
Fighting the Revolutionary War
When the war began, the British had a clear military advantage:
400% larger & more experienced army
More moneyThe world’s most dominant navyManufacturing to make war suppliesSlide11
Revolutionary WarBut the American colonists had…
Familiarity with the environment
A desire to win the war
Short supply lines to their soldiersA long-term strategy to outlast the BritishSlide12
The Role of George WashingtonAs Leader of the Continental Army, George Washington was the symbol of the American cause
He had to build a professional army & coordinate the militias
Encouraged common citizens & volunteer soldiers to support the war even when the British seemed destined to win during the early years of the revolutionSlide13
American MilitaryContinental Army
Colonial Militias
CiviliansSlide14
The Americans and British had differing military strategies…
American Strategy: Outlast the British
Defend colonial lands and prolong the war
Hit and Run tactics (guerilla tactics)Make an alliance with FranceBritish Strategy: Divide and ConquerUse loyalists, seize property, encourage Indian revoltsDivide the northern and southern coloniesAs long as Britain did not conquer the Continental Army, England could not win. Slide15
The American Revolution began at Lexington & Concord “The Shot Heard Around the World”
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZMmPWTwTHcSlide16
British victories from 1776-1777 made an American victory look impossibleSlide17Slide18
Washington Crosses the Delaware River
On Christmas Eve 1776, Washington gave Americans hope by crossing the Delaware River & surprising British troops in Trenton, NJ
Crossing the Delaware in route to a surprise attack at Trenton & Princeton, 1776Slide19
The French Alliance
From the beginning of the war, American diplomats, led by Benjamin Franklin, tried to form an alliance with the French:
The French gov’t was willing, but needed to see that the Americans had a chance to win
The French agreed to join the American cause after the battle of Saratoga in 1777Slide20
Battle of SaratogaThe Battle of Saratoga was a
turning point
because France joined the Americans as an allySlide21
SaratogaAfter Saratoga, French General Lafayette helped train American troops while the French navy helped neutralize the British advantage on the high seas
When French troops arrived in the spring 1778, the tide of the war shifted in favor of the AmericansSlide22
Valley Forge, PA 1777-1778During the winter of 1777-1778, Continental Army troops nearly starved at Valley Forge, PA but Washington & Lafayette inspired & trained the troops to continue the fightSlide23
Yorktown
From 1778-1781, both sides traded victories, but the war finally came to a conclusion at the battle of Yorktown
General Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in 1781, ending the American Revolution
Cornwallis’ surrender was the “day the world turned upside down”Slide24
1778-1781 Battles Slide25
The Treaty of ParisThe Treaty of Paris in 1783 ended the American Revolution
The treaty gave America:
Full independence
All territory east of the Mississippi River, between Canada & FloridaThe removal of the British army from U.S. claims in AmericaSlide26Slide27