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The American Revolution:
The Three Phases of the War (1775-1783)
The First Continental Congress 1774Important to remember: Show of colonial unity
(12/13 sent reps) Sent a Declaration of Rights
and Grievances to the king Adopted the controversial
Suffolk Resolves Formed the Continental
Association to enforce economic sanctions
Agreed to meet in 1775 if necessary
Dr. Joseph Warren, author of the Suffolk Resolves
PHASE 1: New England
April 1775 - Action at Lexington & Concord. Massachusetts militiamen drive British troops back to Boston. The British suffer 73 dead, and 250 casualties during the engagement.
April 1775 – The Siege of Boston begins. Militiamen from across New England converge on Boston. Gen Gage now transitions from putting down a rebellion to withstanding a siege.
PHASE 1: New England
The Second Continental Congress: Declaration of the Causes and
Necessities for Taking Up Arms calls for colonies to provide troops.
Virginian, George Washington, was appointed C-in-C of the Continental Army and dispatched to take command in Boston.
A plan to invade Canada was approved.
Sent the Olive Branch Petition to the King to intercede and protect colonial rights.
George Washington of Virginia accepts the appointment as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.
PHASE 1: New England
The Siege of Boston: Men under Knox’s
command transport captured British cannons from Ft. Ticonderoga to Boston during the winter of 1775-76.
In March 1775, Washington positions the cannons on Dorchester Heights to attack Boston.
The British evacuate Boston later that month.Henry Knox of Boston
PHASE 1: New England
Goals for the Invasion of Canada:1. Possibly draw off British troops from the colonies.2. Possibly rallying the French inhabitants.
After extreme hardship/suffering, Arnold arrives at Quebec, where his weakened command participates in a failed assault on the city.
After capturing Montreal, Montgomery is killed at Quebec.
The Road to Independence The British recruited and deployed
Hessian soldiers. British agents were inciting the
Indians on the frontier to attack the Americans.
Virginia’s royal governor, Lord Dunmore, offered slaves their freedom in exchange for supporting the British.
The publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Hessian Soldier
See Harper’s Lecture NotesOn the Declaration of Independence
Problems Mobilizing for WarEconomic Challenges• How to finance the
revolution?• Continental Congress had to
power to tax.• Many colonies refused to
financially support the war.• Robert Morris creates &
manages the Bank of North America.
• Foreign loans are key to American success in the war.
Robert Morris, Revolutionary War Financier
Problems Mobilizing for WarMilitary Challenges• Washington faces problem of
the militia throughout the war.• Washington’s Continental Army
struggles with recruitment and retention throughout the war.
• In-fighting and political drama between Washington’s generals will be a constant struggle.
• Democratic minded colonists made military discipline difficult.
• Washington had virtually no naval support throughout the war.
American Society at WarWho was a Loyalist? (Estimated ⅓ of population)
Royal Officials, Anglican Church Officials, merchants whose businesses were dependent on Britain, some slaves, and many Indians.
Who was a Patriot? (Estimated ⅓ of population)
Aside from those opposed to British policies and seeking independence, colonists that were in debt to the British, colonists upset with the behavior and tactics of the British during the war, southerners that feared a slave rebellion.
Who remained Neutral? (Estimated ⅓ of population)German immigrants, Quakers, and other groups not interested or unwilling to take up arms for either side. Many of these groups will indirectly support the Patriots.
PHASE 2: The Middle Colonies
New York Campaign:• Washington fights a series
of delaying actions as he withdraws across Long Island & Manhattan Island.
• British occupy New York. (NYC=British HQ)
• Washington avoids a direct confrontation with the British, but takes every opportunity to engage the British with asymmetrical warfare.
British troops landing in New York, September 1776
Washington achieves small, but symbolic victories at Trenton & Princeton during the winter of 1776-77.
PHASE 2: The Middle Colonies
British strategy to isolate New England:1. General Burgoyne
would attack south from Canada.
2. General Howe would drive north from NYC up the Hudson.
3. Combine forces and march into New England.
PHASE 2: The Middle ColoniesThe Battle of Saratoga
British General John Burgoyne American General Horatio Gates
PHASE 2: The Middle ColoniesThe Battle of Saratoga
Instead of following the plan, Howe transports his army by sea to the Chesapeake Bay to attack Philadelphia.
Isolated and cut-off, Burgoyne’s army fights a series battles around Saratoga, NY.
Burgoyne surrenders to Gates. Saratoga will serve as the turning
point of the war. In Feb 1778, the colonists sign the
treaty of alliance with France.
American General Benedict Arnold
PHASE 2: The Middle Colonies Howe defeats Washington
at the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown before occupying Philadelphia for the winter of 1777-78.
Washington and his army winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Prussian officer, Baron von Steuben is appointed by Washington to improve the training and drill of the army.
British General William Howe
PHASE 3: The Southern Colonies
The French alliance, growing sentiment against British policy in America, and an inability to destroy Washington’s army motivated British commanders to transition to a
Southern strategy in an effort to augment their forces with what they believe to be is a large population of American loyalists. After a few early British victories, the strategy proved ultimately to be a failure when loyalist support failed to materialize and many would-be loyalists and neutrals were driven into the Patriot camp by the dishonorable
and detestable British tactics and behavior.
PHASE 3: The Southern Colonies
Characteristics: Guerilla tactics Brutal attacks & reprisals British General Cornwallis
retreats across North Carolina into Virginia, where he
establishes a base at Yorktown.
The notorious British cavalry commander, Banastre Tarleton
PHASE 3: The Southern ColoniesWith support from both French ground and
naval forces, Washington besieges Cornwallis at Yorktown. The siege lasts for 1 month
before Cornwallis surrenders in Oct. 1781.
Peace Negotiations (1781-83)
Breaking with their French & Spanish Allies, the American delegation signs a separate peace with Britain in Nov. 1782. Key Provisions include: American independence Fishing rights An agreement to settle debts owed to the British and Loyalists that evacuated with the British.
On December 4, 1783, the last British troops left New York. Nineteen days later Gen. Washington resigned his commission and returned to Mount Vernon.
When King George III heard that Washington was going to do this he is reported to have said, “If he does this he will be the greatest man in the world.”