Causes of the American Revolution. The American Revolution

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1 1 Causes of the American Revolution The American Revolution

2 The American Colonists developed 2 A strong sense of autonomy from a strong sense of self government a different understanding of key Enlightenment political ideas

3 Conflicts with Great Britain developed over The imposition of imperial controls after 1763 Parliament s attempts to impose higher taxes on the American Colonies after

4 The Meaning of Words Great Britain Sovereignty Parliament possessed ultimate sovereignty to govern the Empire. Parliament s acts formed the British Constitution Parliament could change the constitution American Colonies Sovereignty Colonists believed in local autonomy Local colonial assemblies, elected by property owners, perform local legislative functions. Colonial assemblies could impose direct taxes 4

5 The Meaning of Words Great Britain Constitution An unwritten document based upon English Common Law Was based on precedents The basis of government was a balance between monarchy (royalty: the King) Nobility (aristocracy: the House of Lords) Commoners (democracy: the House of Commons) Based upon balanced sharing of power American Colonies Constitution Colonies accepted and understood the British view of common law and the rights of Englishmen Colonists developed the belief that constitutions should be written documents They were an agreement between ruler & ruled Influenced by the colonial charters in North America Believed there was a need for written laws in a developing/dangerous society. 5

6 The Meaning of Words Great Britain Representation Believed in virtual representation Parliament, as a whole, represented the Empire as a whole American Colonies Representation The American colonies accepted the British view until After 1764, the American colonies developed the view that Parliament should mirror the people (property owners) and their interests. (actual representation) Increasingly, Americans believed in John Locke s idea of the consent of the governed. 6

The British refused to realize that their American colonies had developed differently From mid-1775 to early 1776, the conflict was an attempt by colonists to exert their rights as British subjects

7 The British refused to realize that their American colonies had developed differently From mid-1775 to early 1776, the conflict was an attempt by colonists to exert their rights as British subjects within the Empire. British bungling and American agitation during the early phase of the conflict caused the war aims of the colonists to change from demanding rights as British subjects to outright independence 7

8 Phase 1: Conflicting Aims within the Empire: April, 1775 to July, 1776 The Americans were fighting for repeal of unjust legislation home rule and self-determination within the Empire The British were fighting for the status quo Parliamentary supremacy 8

9 The Battles of Concord and Lexington April, The British attempted to seize colonial gunpowder & arms stored at Concord, Mass. Colonial Militia Minutemen resisted fired the shot heard round the world Colonials drove the Redcoats into Boston and laid siege to the town

Meeting of the Second Continental Congress, May, 1775 10 All 13 Colonies were represented there was no real sentiment for independence wanted redress of grievances

10 Meeting of the Second Continental Congress, May, All 13 Colonies were represented there was no real sentiment for independence wanted redress of grievances agreed to raise an Army and Navy selected Geo. Washington as Commander in Chief outstanding character, great leadership abilities was a symbol for all to rally around

11 First Colonial Victories 11 Colonials assumed the offensive won victories at Ticonderoga and Crown Point (May, 1775) proved that the British were not invincible Colonials gained provisions, gunpowder and reinforcements

12 June, 1775 Continental Army seized Bunker Hill threatened British position in Boston Sig> Colonials proved themselves as soldiers King George III proclaimed the colonies in open rebellion (August, 1775) Sig> King hired Hessian mercenaries to fight in the colonies Continental Army began a campaign to invade Canada from New England 12

13 The Movement toward Independence

14 Thomas Paine s Common Sense 14 He called for independence and republicanism believed the colonial cause was for selfdetermination and democracy Sig>Paine stimulated discussion of independence from Britain throughout 1776 heightened the realization that the colonies must declare independence before they could receive aid from France.

Actions of the Second Continental Congress, May - July, 1776 15 Richard H. Lee (Va.

15 Actions of the Second Continental Congress, May - July, Richard H. Lee (Va.) introduced resolution calling for independence proposal was studied Jefferson selected to write the Declaration (approved on July 4, 1776) Justified the colonial revolt & contained a bill of indictment against Geo. III

16 Significance of the Declaration of Independence 16 Was a general statement concerning the colonist s right to revolt. By declaring their intention to separate from Great Britain, Colonists could now attempt to secure foreign assistance from European countries, (notably France)

17 17 The Military & Diplomatic Campaigns of Phase 1: Can we really win?

Problems facing the Americans after July, 1776 18 Americans: Patriots, or Loyalists?

18 Problems facing the Americans after July, Americans: Patriots, or Loyalists? The American Revolution was always a minority movement The Loyalists were 20% of the population conservative, financially well off, usually Anglicans beneficiaries of the Crown (Royal patronage jobs) more in Middle & Southern colonies fled to British lines when war broke out

19 The New England Campaigns of The British won most of them; but did not pursue the Americans Washington learned from his mistakes avoided crushing defeats won battles at Trenton & Princeton restored confidence in his leadership and the ability of the colonial army.

20 Fighting in the Middle Colonies: (after Declaration of Independence) 20 British failed to destroy Colonial Army British strategy was to isolate New England from the other colonies Br. Gen. Burgoyne invaded N.Y from Canada Forced to surrender to Colonial Army after Battle of Saratoga (Oct. 1777) Significance of Saratoga revived the colonial cause led to an alliance with France

21 The Need for French Aid: French covertly helped the Americans French were still weak feared war with Britain provided supplies but no diplomatic help After Saratoga, France formally recognized American independence Signed Treaty of Alliance (Feb., 1778) agreed to seek common terms with Britain (SIG??) French sent troops & navy to N. America

22 Significance of the French Alliance 22 Doubled the size of the American fighting force French soldiers reinforced Washington s Army French Navy engaged the British fleet in the West Indies the course of the American Revolution changed French alliance probably decided the war in America s favor

23 The American Revolution became part of a world war. French, Spanish, Dutch actively engaged in war against Britain by 1780, other European nations had organized the Armed Neutrality (Catherine the Great) passive hostility towards Great Britain Significance> the American colonies did not achieve independence until the revolution became part of a European-based world war 23

24 24 Second Phase of the Revolution: Military Campaigns and Peace with Great Britain

25 British Military Strategy Lord Cornwallis army would win the war in the Southern Colonies then move north colonial army constantly harassed British Army Cornwallis was forced to retreat toward Yorktown, Va. Washington s army blocked British Cornwallis expected the British Navy to re-supply and then transport his army to the Middle Colonies British Navy failed to destroy the French fleet in the West Indies French Fleet under Admiral De Grasse arrived off the Virginia coast: cut off British retreat 25

26 Victory at Yorktown: Oct., Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown, Oct., 19, 1781 British army continued to fight until Nov., 1782 Significance of Yorktown British national debt had doubled since 1775 Tory government of Lord North resigned (3-82) Whigs came to power in Parliament by 1782, British were ready to negotiate a meaningful peace treaty

27 The Peace Process: Process began in 1780 when Continental Congress sent 3 peace envoys to Paris (Franklin, Adams, Jay) they were instructed to not make a separate peace American goals conflicted with French & Spanish goals American negotiators ignored their instructions negotiated with the new British Whig government Preliminary Peace Treaty signed in 1782, final peace in >Why did the British make peace with the Americans? <--

28 The Treaty of Paris, 1783 Britain formally recognized American independence Britain granted the United States generous territorial boundaries Mississippi R, Great Lakes, Spanish Florida United States promised to restore Loyalist property seized during the Revolution until this occurred, British would maintain forts in the Ohio Valley 28

29 Significance of the Peace of Paris 29 The British gave the United States very good peace terms British needed American good will while continuing to fight other European powers. Great Power rivalry in Europe helped secure good peace terms for the United States.

11/29/2010 [ ] 1776]

11/29/2010 [ ] 1776] You have 15 Minutes from the time the Bell Rings. The Shot Heard Round the World January 1775, actions of First Continental Congress led British government to use force to control colonies April, British