Dunmore’s ProclamationTybee Island
andDavid George
Group Exercise
Questions for groups to consider What, according to the Declaration of
Independence, are the “unalienable” rights of men?
How might an American in 1776 have understood the practical meaning of those rights?
Would we today share their views?
Playing Devils advocate
The flag of the United States Pledges Allegiance to I and to the Republic for which I stand
Questions for groups to consider What, according to the Declaration of
Independence, are the “unalienable” rights of men?
How might an American in 1776 have understood the practical meaning of those rights?
Would we today share their views?
Jefferson and Religious Freedom
Virginia Satute for Religious Freedom
Whereas, Almighty God hath created the mind free; that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens, or by civil incapacitations tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, who being Lord, both of body and mind yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either, as was in his Almighty power to do, that the impious presumption of legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavouring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world and through all time; that to compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical;
In 1777 American army began to take a new shape
In response to Washington’s requests Congress offered a cash bonus to
anyone who signed up for three years Anyone who signed up for the duration
of the war received a Land bounty Gave army a more secure basis
Army now had time to be trained become a stronger threat
Avoid the chaos and flights seen in New York
In addition to lengthening service congress also increased punishment
that could be used Number of lashes was increased from
39 to 100
New Continental Army had distinct character
short-term militia locally based made up of well known and often
respected members of each community New army was often draw from the
lower ranks of society The Joseph Plumb Martin’s of the world
Often pulled across the country away from homes and the ability to easily leave
Back to New York As Burgoyne took Ticonderoga Washington watched Howe in New York Appeared to be preparing for action
But hesitant – Left harbor but to where July 31 spotted in Delaware River
But out to sea again South Carolina? August 25th Chesapeake bay
Washington feared for Philadelphia Maneuvered to protect the capital Battles at
Brandywine Creek British Victory Washington retreat but stayed between Howe
and Philadelphia Harrying the british
Battles during repositioning Warren Tavern Sept 16th
Paoli Sept 21
Weaponry and tactics
75 caliber, weighed 9 lbs. 46 “ Barrel Not often used in battle
1779 only 20 % of Norfolk Militia could hit target of 100 feetFrom 70 yards
Paoli Massacre Major General James Grey
surprised Anthony Wayne’s Forces Entered Wayne’s camp at 1 am
Ordered flints removed Used bayonets with cruel efficiency
300 killed and wounded 100 captured 8 British killed
Wayne escaped with renewed respect for “No-Flint Grey”
Without Burgoyne disintegrating Washington’s army may not have lasted
Washington rallied his troops “Will you suffer the wounds
given to you country to go un avenged?”
Will you resign your parents, wives, children and friends to be the wretched vassals of a proud, insulting foe? And your Own Necks to the halter
Continental Army was next to see battle Prompted by Washington’s words
At Germantown Pennsylvania A mix of bad weather and excessive complex
plans led to a chaotic conflict Eventually the British regrouped and push back
far from a rout Washington’s troops now had knowledge that
they could Carry the attack to a fine professional Army and carry
it well
Howe’s Victory at GermantownSeizure of Philadelphia
Satisfaction and joy to BritishDefeat of Burgoyne
Satisfaction and joy to AmericansAlso raised specter of France
France given up idea of reclaiming mainland colonies Still smarted from British domination
Subtly supported American efforts Attempt to damage England
Julien Archard de Bonvouloir Late summer 1775 sent to America
Offer verbal support and encouragement but little more
Pierre-Augustin Caron de BeaumarchaisDramatis & adventurer (loved intrigue more than he hated
England) Spent time in England trying to gain
info Believed almost everything he hears
Meanwhile back in the good ol US of A November 29 1775
congress appointed secret committee of correspondence “for the sole purpose of corresponding
with our friends in Great Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world”
May 2, 1776 King Louis XVI Authorized 1 million livres in aid But had to been done in secrecy
Sort of Face saving fiction is often more acceptable than fact in
foreign relations
Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais Later author of The Barber
of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro
Set up a company Roderique Hortalez et
Compagnie Company’s aim smuggle
army supplies into America Still no men at this time
Also uncertainty in US Is assistance from France attainable/wise?
What connection may we safely form with her 1st No Political Connection.
Submit to none of her authority – receive no Governors, or officers from her
2ndNo Military Connection. Receive no troops from her
3rd Only a commercial Connection, i.e. make a Treaty, to receive her Ships into our ports.
John Adams
From France Marquis de Lafayette and
Johann, baron de Kalb From Poland
Casimir, count Pulaski To some Americans this influx of non-
Americans was potentially problematic
These people along with others began to take on a new aristocratic tone
Americans been fighting off hierarchical ideas like this for years
About 90% of gunpowder used by American forces between 1775 and 1777 came from captured British supplies or from
overseas Hortalez et Compagnie supplied most
of this Without this aid, quite simply, the
war could not have continued
December 1776 Benjamin Franklin arrived in France as
an agent of the American Congress Although France could still not officially
recognize Franklin Paris took Franklin in as a hero Franklin was a well known figure in
Europe Both through his scientific work And also from his time in England
Ben Franklin altered his appearance
Adopting simple plain clothing and replacing his wig with a fur cap
Successfully attempting to play the innocent man of nature
Following Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga the French intervened officially
Feb 1778 Franklin and French Foreign minister Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes signed two treaties.
The first was a commercial agreement Granted America generous trading terms
In the second France Made a perpetual alliance with the US Recognized American Independence Agreed to fight until Britain accepted US
independence Disavowed all territorial claims in the US
Essential article in treaty of alliance No8 “Neither of the two parties shall
conclude either Truce or Peace with great Britain, without the formal consent of the other first obtained; and they mutually agree not to lay down their arms, until the independence of the United States shall have been formally or tacitly assured by the Treaty or Treaties that shall terminate the war”
Congress approved treaties on May 4 1778 By June 14 1778 Britain and France were at
war
British response to this was to put together a plan of conciliation
The plan which may have succeeded in 1775
Was rejected out of hand by congress in June 1778
Spain also wanted to see Britain suffer a loss at the hands of the Americans
However, it was not prepared to support America directly
King feared that the Spanish people may follow suit
But in 1779 it joined with France in their war against Britain
With the support of France, and the indirect help of Spain Americans expected a swift victory
This was not to be the case The war instead turned into a battle
of attrition as each side attempted to reduce the other to surrender
When the army settled in for a cold winter at Valley Forge a Prussian soldier in the army
Frederich Wilhelm, baron von Steuben Created a drill manual
based on the traditional Prussian manual adapted to the American army
Yet another increase in army structure
War moves South