BA 8/13 In a paragraph, explain what this sentence means

to you and if you agree with it:

“We hold these truths to be obvious, that all men are created equal, that they are granted by their Creator with certain guaranteed Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Since you are writing a paragraph, you do NOT have to write the question!!

Revolutionary WarChapter 4 Sections 2-4

SSUSH4 The student will identify the ideological, military, and diplomatic aspects of the American Revolution.

a. Explain the language, organization, and intellectual sources of the Declaration of Independence; include the writing of John Locke and the role of

Thomas Jefferson.

b. Explain the reason for and significance of the French alliance and foreign assistance and the roles of Benjamin Franklin and the Marquis de Lafayette.

c. Analyze George Washington as a military leader; include the creation of a professional military and the life of a common soldier, and describe the significance of the crossing of the Delaware River and Valley Forge.

d. Explain the role of geography at the Battle of Yorktown, the role of Lord Cornwallis, and the Treaty of Paris, 1783.

Declaration of Independence 1776: Continental Congress decides to break

away from Britain “These United Colonies are, and of a right ought

to be, free and independent States”

Continental Congress appoints committee to prepare formal declaration explaining reasons for colonies’ actions

Thomas Jefferson chosen to write Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson

Heming and Jefferson descendants 2001

Thomas Jefferson Wrote Declaration using philosophy of John Locke

3 beliefs of Locke:

1. People enjoy “natural rights” to life, liberty, & property Jefferson: Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness

2. Government granted power from people they govern

3. People can alter or eliminate any government that threatens individual rights

Colonists: King George III violated American rights

Declaration of Independence continued Declaration states: “all men are created equal”

Meant free, male citizens

Did not include women, Native Americans, & slaves

July 4, 1776: colonies unanimously adopt Declaration of Independence & break from England Leads to Revolutionary War

Revolutionary War Not all colonists want to break free from Britain

Colonists split into 2 groups:

1. Loyalists: favor King & don’t want to break free

2. Patriots: want American independence & join the Continental Army Ex: Sons & Daughters of Liberty

Many thought war wouldn’t last long 2.5 million colonists vs. 10 million powerful British

England had world’s best army & navy Lots of money, troops, & boats

General George Washington

General George Washington Commander of Continental Army

Stood 6’2” tall

Excelled at turning discouraged men into fighting troops

Fought with troops on front line, lived in same awful conditions, and suffered with his soldiers

BA 8/141. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

2. What were Locke’s 3 beliefs used in the Declaration of Independence?

3. What date represents the signing of the Declaration?

4. Who was commander of the Continental Army?

5. Describe conditions at Valley Forge. (3rd Block)

Valley Forge Continental Army’s winter camp

Outside Philadelphia, PA

Home to troops when British took control of PA

Little supplies, food, & housing Poorly dressed and underfed patriots freezing in

snow covered huts

Valley Forge continued

Soldiers suffered from hypothermia & frostbite 2,500 deaths and many limbs amputated

Low point of war for Washington & troops Many deaths and desertion

Albigense Waldo at Valley Forge

“Here comes a bowl of beef soup full of dead leaves and dirt. There comes a soldier. His bare feet are seen through his worn-out shoes-his legs nearly naked from the tattered remains of an only pair of stocking-his Breeches (pants) are not sufficient to cover his nakedness-his shirt hanging in strings-his hair disheveled-his face meager.”

Crossing the Delaware 5 months into war, Washington & Continental Army

badly losing war

Only 8,000 of 23,000 troops remained Patriots losing hope & think about quitting

Washington plans surprise attack to boost troops’ hopes

December 25, 1776, Washington leads 2,400 men in small rowboats across freezing Delaware River to Trenton, NJ After landing, march in night 9 miles through snow and sleet

Crossing the Delaware Trenton: 1000 German mercenaries

protecting British fort Mercenary: soldier who fights for money

Washington gets first Patriot victory in war Kills 30, captures 918, and gains 6 cannons

Result: Boosts troop morale & they continue fighting

Washington crossing DE

French Alliance France still angry after losing French-Indian

War Secretly sending weapons to Patriots since 1776

Wants to humiliate England

1778: France creates alliance with Americans Due to Benjamin Franklin’s meeting in France

Offer troops, supplies, weapons, & military training

French Alliance

French commanders turn Patriots into a professional army Stand at attention, execute field maneuvers, fire &

reload quickly, and use bayonets

Patriots grow stronger with help of Marquis de Lafayette

Von Steuben

Marquis de Lafayette

Marquis de Lafayette

French aristocrat who volunteers to help train Continental Army

Importance of Lafayette:

1. Helps Washington plan attacks

2. Pushes France for more reinforcements

Lord Cornwallis British general who attacks southern colonies

More Loyalists in South than North

Leads army of Redcoats (British troops) and 1000s of runaway slaves British promised freedom to all slaves if England

won

Cornwallis captures much of south

Lord Cornwallis

Battle of Yorktown Yorktown: peninsula located in Virginia

Cornwallis wants to build camp in Yorktown & take over VA

At same time, French reinforcements arrive in RI 6,000 troops and 30 naval ships

Battle of Yorktown continued Lafayette suggests French & US troops

attack Cornwallis at Yorktown

Washington and Lafayette surround Cornwallis and British troops British forced to surrender

Result: Americans win Revolutionary War

Naval assistance

Siege of Yorktown

Treaty of Paris 1783 Peace talks after Revolutionary War

Includes United States, Great Britain, France, and Spain

John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, & John Jay sent to negotiate treaty for US

3 Effects of 1783 Treaty

1. US granted independence

2. US gains all land east of Mississippi River & from Maine to Georgia

3. British businesses receive money owed

4. Loyalists able to sue for lost property