The War for Independence
THE STIRRINGS OF REBELLION
The British Parliament passed the Stamp Act to increase revenue from the colonies to recoup debts from the French and Indian War as well as other European Wars.
Colonists responded to the Stamp Act by forming the Sons of Liberty, demonstrating, protesting, harassing customs workers, holding the Stamp Act Congress, the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, and boycotting British goods.
Parliament responded to the colonists by repealing the Stamp Act and issuing Declaratory Act.
Parliament passed the Townshend Acts (1767) in order to increase tax money from the colonies.
The colonists responded by boycotting British goods, replacing them with goods made in the colonies, and continuing to protest.
Parliament became more strict in its enforcement of the act, stationed troops in ports (especially Boston), then eventually repealed the act.
The British passed the Tea Act (1773) in order to save the East India Company from bankruptcy.
The colonists dumped 15,000 pounds of tea into Boston Harbor. This became known as the Boston Tea Party.
Parliament responded with the Intolerable Acts.
Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts (1774) to punish the colonists Boston Tea Party; especially to tighten control on Massachusetts.
The colonies then held the first Continental Congress with the goal of supporting Massachusetts and stepping up military preparations.
The British then responded by sending troops to Concord to seize illegal weapons and caches but ended up engaging colonial militias in battle.
IDEAS HELP START A REVOLUTION
Sept. 1774- The First Continental Congress convenes. It agrees to meet again if problems with Britain continue.
Apr. 1775- Clashes between British soldiers and American Minutemen at Lexington and Concord become the first battles of the American Revolution.
May 1775- Since problems with the British intensify, the Second Continental Congress meets.
The Second Continental Congress sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III.
The Second Continental Congress also created the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its commander, authorized the printing of money to pay soldiers, and organized a committee to deal with foreign countries.
Fall and Winter 1775- Fighting between the British and the colonists increases.
Jan. 1776- Thomas Paine publishes his "Common Sense" pamphlet.
The main ideas in "Common Sense" pointed to the belief that King George III was a tyrant and that it was time for the colonies to be independent. He believed that independence would allow the Americans to create a better society.
July 1776- With the increase of fighting, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.
The purpose of the Declaration was to explain the reasons for the colonists' actions.
The Declaration stated that people are equal and have inalienable natural rights. Also, that governments get their power from the consent of the governed through a social contract. The people have the right to change governments that do not protect natural rights.
STRUGGLING TOWARD SARATOGA
New York- The British were able to take New York City because they had a larger and better trained force than the Americans.
The British captured New York City, demoralizing the Americans. More than half of the colonial force were captured, killed, or they deserted.
Trenton- The Americans won a key victory at the Battle of Trenton through a surprise attack against the overconfident Hessians on Christmas morning.
The defeat of the Hessians rose morale and enlistment for the Americans.
Philadelphia- Again, the British outnumbered and outmatched the Americans.
The British now held the American capital and were able to rest comfortably through the winter. The Continental Congress was forced to leave the city.
Saratoga- Overconfidence by British leaders led to an American victory. General John Burgoyne underestimated the difficulty of his plan and General William Howe underestimated the terrain and could not come to assist.
The loss forced Britain to change their strategy. British troops were forced to stay near the coast, the Americans found they could beat the British, and France joined the Americans as an ally.
Soldiers had to worry about remaining clothed, keeping fed, staying warm and healthy, having to provide their own housing, and staying motivated.
Congress had to worry about financing the war, inflation, equipping the army, fighting profiteers, and negotiating with France.
Civilians were concerned with managing farms, businesses, and family households. They also cared for soldiers in the field.
Friedrich von Steuben was a Prussian captain and drillmaster who turned the Continental Army into an effective fighting force by teaching the soldiers to stand at attention, execute field maneuvers, fire and reload quickly, and wield bayonets.
Marquis de Lafayette was a young French aristocrat who joined Washington's staff. He lobbied for French reinforcements. He also bore the hardships of Valley Forge, led a command in Virginia, and suggested the military strategy that won the Battle of Yorktown.
The Battle of Yorktown resulted in the final surrender of British forces.
The signing of the Treaty of Paris granted America full independence from Britain and set the boundaries of the new nation.
The War for Independence