I can assess the struggles that the Colonists had
in winning the Revolutionary War.
I can compare and contrast the stance of Patriots
and Loyalists.
I can explain the impact of the Olive Branch
Petition on the colonists’ decision to declare
independence.
I can describe the purpose and main ideas of the
Declaration of Independence.
Not everyone agreed on how to resolve the
conflict with Great Britain (GB).
Loyalists wanted reconciliation with GB.
– Thought the GB would win
– Had ties to GB
– Didn’t see the benefit to independence
Patriots wanted independence from GB.
After losing many lives in battles, colonies
sent the Olive Branch Petition to King
George in Britain to seek peace.
King George said…no thanks.
This forces the colonies into declaring
independence.
Written by Thomas
Jefferson
Signed on July 4, 1776
Lists grievances
Declares separation from
Great Britain
This is the moment the
war becomes a war for
independence.
I can assess the struggles that the Colonists had
in winning the Revolutionary War.
 can compare and contrast the stance of Patriots
I
and Loyalists.
 can explain the impact of the Olive Branch
I
Petition on the colonists’ decision to declare
independence.
 can describe the purpose and main ideas of the
I
Declaration of Independence.
I can assess the struggles that the Colonists had in winning
the Revolutionary War.
 I can compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of
the colonies and Britain during the Revolutionary War.
 I can evaluate the importance of the alliance with France in
the Revolutionary War.
I can evaluate the effects of the Revolutionary War.
 I can critique the Treaty of Paris from the point of view of
Native Americans.
 I can compare and contrast the role of women and AfricanAmericans before, during, and after the Revolutionary War.
 I can predict how limited political rights will lead to
problems in society after the Revolutionary War.
United States
Strengths
 Home court advantage
 Good leadership
 Goal of independence
Weaknesses
 Untrained military
 Food shortages
 No central gov’t
Great Britain
Strengths
 Good military
 Strong gov’t and $$$
 Support of Loyalists
and Native Americans
Weaknesses
 Far from home
 Unfamiliar grounds
 Weak leadership
Women had greater roles during the war.
– Took over businesses
– Followed soldiers (mending clothes, cooking, etc.)
– Fought in battles
Thousands of
African-Americans
fought in the army.
France offered help to the Americans.
– French people supported the idea of revolution.
– French gov’t wanted revenge against Britain (from
French & Indian War).
Confirmed US independence.
Expanded US borders to Mississippi River
(thus, voiding the Proclamation of 1763).
Equality and freedom for all people.
– But only if those people are white.
– And only if they’re men.
– And only if they own property and conform to
society’s “norms”.
So…who truly gained independence?
What about everyone else?
I can assess the struggles that the Colonists had in winning
the Revolutionary War.

 I can compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of
the colonies and Britain during the Revolutionary War.

 I can evaluate the importance of the alliance with France in
the Revolutionary War.
I can evaluate the effects of the Revolutionary War.

 I can critique the Treaty of Paris from the point of view of
Native Americans.

 I can compare and contrast the role of women and African-
Americans before, during, and after the Revolutionary War.

 I can predict how limited political rights will lead to
problems in society after the Revolutionary War.