![Bunker Hill [first real test]Bunker Hill [first real test]
• British charge Patriot positions on Breed’s Hill
• running low on ammo, rebel commander tells his
troops, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their
eyes!”](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/revolutionarywar-170622002112/85/American-Revolutionary-War-overview-6-320.jpg)
![American Revolutionary War [overview]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/revolutionarywar-170622002112/85/American-Revolutionary-War-overview-10-320.jpg)
![Meanwhile, back in Philadelphia. . .Meanwhile, back in Philadelphia. . .
• The 2nd
Continental Congress tries to manage both
a war and a de facto country.
• Pattern of borrowing money and printing more
leads to dangerous inflation and devaluation.
• Supplies and logistics a continual problem
• In France, Benjamin Franklin’s attempts to enlist
French help are without result
• And still not all the delegates are in favor of
independence, but time for reconciliation is fast
running out…
• One last attempt – the Olive Branch Petition
• In NC, April 12 1776, the Halifax Resolves call
for complete independence from Britain [first in
Freedom]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/revolutionarywar-170622002112/85/American-Revolutionary-War-overview-13-320.jpg)
![The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence
• Still intense debate over the final stepStill intense debate over the final step
• Thomas Jefferson appointed to write theThomas Jefferson appointed to write the
DeclarationDeclaration
• borrows heavily from Enlightenmentborrows heavily from Enlightenment
thinkers, esp. John Locke’s ideas of Socialthinkers, esp. John Locke’s ideas of Social
Contract and Natural RightsContract and Natural Rights
• Part One: Declaration of Natural RightsPart One: Declaration of Natural Rights
[political ideas] Note key phrases[political ideas] Note key phrases
• Part Two: list of grievances [why isn’tPart Two: list of grievances [why isn’t
Parliament mentioned?]Parliament mentioned?]
• Part Three: Statement of independencePart Three: Statement of independence
pledge and signatures of delegatespledge and signatures of delegates
• Proclaimed July 4, 1776 [the point is moot,Proclaimed July 4, 1776 [the point is moot,
if. . .]if. . .]
• Heritage of other revolutionsHeritage of other revolutions](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/revolutionarywar-170622002112/85/American-Revolutionary-War-overview-14-320.jpg)
![• John Hancock – President of the Congress – signs first,
and signs large [“put your John Hancock here”]
• Dilemma for the Loyalists [“Tories”]
• There is now no going back
• King George III’s diary entry for July 4, 1776 . . .
• “Nothing of importance happened today.”](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/revolutionarywar-170622002112/85/American-Revolutionary-War-overview-15-320.jpg)
![American Revolutionary War [overview]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/revolutionarywar-170622002112/85/American-Revolutionary-War-overview-17-320.jpg)
American Revolutionary War [overview]
- 1. The Warof AmericanThe Warof American IndependenceIndependence
- 2. By May of 1775 ...By May of 1775 ... • A state of war exists between England andA state of war exists between England and her American Coloniesher American Colonies • colonists loyalties are divided:colonists loyalties are divided: • 1/3 are ready to break with England1/3 are ready to break with England completelycompletely • 1/3 despite misgivings, want to remain loyal1/3 despite misgivings, want to remain loyal • 1/3 are not sure what to do1/3 are not sure what to do • Boston is under siegeBoston is under siege
- 3. • the Mecklenburg Declaration declares the Provincial Congress as the only lawful government in NC • The 2nd Congress convenes in Philadelphia, PA • functions as de facto government of the colonies • mints Continental currency and borrows to fund the war • names militia in and around Boston as the Continental Army and names George Washington Commanding General • sends delegates to France and other European nations to enlist help • debates independence - not easy to decide to commit treason
- 4. • ““ Gentlemen, wemust hangGentlemen, wemust hang together, or wewill mosttogether, or wewill most assuredly hang separately.”assuredly hang separately.” --Benjamin Franklin--Benjamin Franklin • ““ I know not what courseothersI know not what courseothers may take, but asfor me, givemay take, but asfor me, give meliberty, or givemedeath!”meliberty, or givemedeath!” -- Patrick Henry-- Patrick Henry Patriot VoicesPatriot Voices
- 5. Battles for BostonBattles for Boston • City is blockaded byCity is blockaded by the Royal Navythe Royal Navy • conditions in the cityconditions in the city are getting worseare getting worse • British attack militiaBritish attack militia positions for keypositions for key high groundhigh ground
- 6. Bunker Hill [first real test]Bunker Hill [first real test] • British charge Patriot positions on Breed’s Hill • running low on ammo, rebel commander tells his troops, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!”
- 7. • British regularsBritish regulars charge the hill 3Xcharge the hill 3X before taking it.before taking it. • Patriots fall back toPatriots fall back to Bunker HillBunker Hill • High ground stillHigh ground still held by Patriotsheld by Patriots • but they need morebut they need more ammo andammo and ARTILLERYARTILLERY
- 8. • Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture Ft. Ticonderoga … • and it’s cannon! • Gen. Knox gets them 300 miles to Boston - over hills and mountains in the winter.
- 9. • With cannon in place, Boston becomes untenable - British evacuate the city
- 11. The War expands • Washington chased out of New York and New Jersey • Enlistments will be up by year’s end, and it’s nearly Christmas • Thomas Paine’s Common Sense convinces many to stay • what’s needed is a W
- 12. Washington’s GeniusWashington’s Genius • Christmas Eve - Washington sets up the Hessians across the river • crosses at night, bursts into town unexpected • troops a bit groggy from celebrating night before • quickly routed, Gen. Rahl is mortally wounded and surrenders • more magic at Princeton a few days later • fire and maneuver • army decides to stay
- 13. Meanwhile, back in Philadelphia. . .Meanwhile, back in Philadelphia. . . • The 2nd Continental Congress tries to manage both a war and a de facto country. • Pattern of borrowing money and printing more leads to dangerous inflation and devaluation. • Supplies and logistics a continual problem • In France, Benjamin Franklin’s attempts to enlist French help are without result • And still not all the delegates are in favor of independence, but time for reconciliation is fast running out… • One last attempt – the Olive Branch Petition • In NC, April 12 1776, the Halifax Resolves call for complete independence from Britain [first in Freedom]
- 14. The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence • Still intense debate over the final stepStill intense debate over the final step • Thomas Jefferson appointed to write theThomas Jefferson appointed to write the DeclarationDeclaration • borrows heavily from Enlightenmentborrows heavily from Enlightenment thinkers, esp. John Locke’s ideas of Socialthinkers, esp. John Locke’s ideas of Social Contract and Natural RightsContract and Natural Rights • Part One: Declaration of Natural RightsPart One: Declaration of Natural Rights [political ideas] Note key phrases[political ideas] Note key phrases • Part Two: list of grievances [why isn’tPart Two: list of grievances [why isn’t Parliament mentioned?]Parliament mentioned?] • Part Three: Statement of independencePart Three: Statement of independence pledge and signatures of delegatespledge and signatures of delegates • Proclaimed July 4, 1776 [the point is moot,Proclaimed July 4, 1776 [the point is moot, if. . .]if. . .] • Heritage of other revolutionsHeritage of other revolutions
- 15. • John Hancock – President of the Congress – signs first, and signs large [“put your John Hancock here”] • Dilemma for the Loyalists [“Tories”] • There is now no going back • King George III’s diary entry for July 4, 1776 . . . • “Nothing of importance happened today.”
- 16. Turning point in upstate New York: Battles of Saratoga • Howe’s strategy to end the war • Howe captures Philadelphia; Philadelphia captures Howe • Burgoyne’s slow advance down the Hudson • Met at Saratoga by Gates and Arnold • Defeat means: – New England not cut off – Aid from France
- 18. British take the war SouthBritish take the war South • Hoping for help from Loyalists in SavannahHoping for help from Loyalists in Savannah and Charleston - 1780and Charleston - 1780 • Difficulties moving inlandDifficulties moving inland • Defeats at Cowpens and Kings Mt.Defeats at Cowpens and Kings Mt. • Greene and Morgan chase Cornwallis out ofGreene and Morgan chase Cornwallis out of the Carolinasthe Carolinas • Cornwallis at YorktownCornwallis at Yorktown • BesiegedBesieged • French Fleet to the rescueFrench Fleet to the rescue • Surrender – Oct. 1781Surrender – Oct. 1781
- 20. End GameEnd Game • “It’s over!” – Lord North in Parliament • 2 years of negotiation finally result in the Peace of Paris, 1783. • England recognizes U.S. independence • Franklin, Adams and Jay avoid French control • Now what? • Many dead, families and businesses ruined • Worthless currency • Massive debt • 2nd Continental Congress drafts the nation’s first true government – The Articles of Confederation