SSUSH4
The student will identify the
ideological, military, and diplomatic
aspects of the American Revolution
4.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
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The committee chosen by the Continental Congress in 1776 to
draft the Declaration of Independence was not selected at randomThomas Jefferson (Virginia) had already proven himself to be one of
the most able and eloquent writers among the members of
Congress. John Adams (Massachusetts) had been one of the earliest
and most vocal advocates for independence, and Benjamin Franklin
was as sage and acute as ever.
• Jefferson did most of the writing- with some editing and advice
from the others. What he produced was a document that asserted
the independence of the American colonies with what amounted to
a direct statement to King George III.
• Jefferson drew heavily from political philosophy of the day to make
his argument for independence. He especially drew from the work
of John Locke and Montesquieu.
Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams
Presenting the Declaration to Congress
Language, Organization, and
Intellectual Sources of the Declaration
of Independence
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The Declaration of Independence is comprised of four sections: 1) the Preamble, 2) a Declaration of Natural
Rights, 3) List of Grievances, 4) Resolution of Independence
The Preamble explains and introduces the basic reasons (and political philosophy) underlying the decision for
declaring independence from Britain.
The Declaration of Natural Rights expands on the political philosophy mentioned in the preamble. Both of these
sections draw heavily from the Enlightenment-era political theories of John Locke- an English writer/philosopher
of the late 17th/early 18th century. Locke’s Two Treatises on Government (1690) introduced ideas about the
“natural” rights of man to life, liberty and property.
Locke also laid the foundation for the Social Contract theory of government later espoused by Rousseau. In its
essence the idea of the Social Contract is that any government ultimately rules with the consent of the people
being ruled. The implication then, is that when a government fails to meet the needs of its people-the
government gets overthrown- and the people have the right to overthrow tyrannical governments.
Jefferson was also familiar with the writings of French philosopher Montesquieu. His 1748 work, The Spirit of Laws
was a major influence on political thinkers of the day. This work would be even more important 11 years after the
Declaration, as an inspiration to the United States Constitution.
The List of Grievances portion of the Declaration is just that: an item-by-item account of how Jefferson (speaking
for the Congress) feels King George the III has wronged the American colonies.
T he Resolution of Independence asserts that the colonies were free from all political ties and allegiance to the
British Crown- and that they could do all the things (prosecute war, conclude peace, make alliances, conduct
commerce) that free and independent states do.
John Locke
4.b- Explain the reason for and the significance of the French
alliance and foreign assistance and the roles of Benjamin Franklin and
the Marquis de Lafayette
• Once the Declaration had been issued, one of the primary objectives of
the Congress was to secure diplomatic recognition from other nationsmost importantly, France.
• France had been secretly aiding the American military effort early on, but
they were unwilling at first to risk war with Britain by formally recognizing,
aiding, and allying with the United States.
• The Continental Congress sent Benjamin Franklin to the Court of Louis XVI
to work at diplomatic recognition and direct military aid. The major
turning point for the French followed news of the American victory at
Saratoga, NY. Only when the French saw that the Americans had a chance
to defeat the British were they willing to formally enter the war.
• In February 1778 the United States negotiated its first two treaties with
France- one extending formal recognition to the U.S., and one offering
direct military aid with land and sea forces. The French contributions to
the war effort gave the Americans the staying power they needed to wear
the British down and eventually win the conflict.
Franklin in France- ca. 1778
Franklin at the French Court
Marquis de Lafayette
• The Marquis de Lafayette
was a young French
nobleman when he came to
America to offer his services
to the Continental Army. He
helped to train soldiers and
later commanded American
and French forces in
numerous battles.
• His impassioned support for
the American cause won
him the admiration of the
people as a hero of the
Revolution.
4.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
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George Washington’s reputation for even-headed leadership and daring military tactics had
been established early in his career- in the opening battles of the French and Indian War.
Washington was an obvious choice to lead the Continental Army and the Congress gave him
command in June 1775, following the creation of the Army after Lexington and Concord.
Early in the war, Washington and his Continentals lost several key battles- New York City, for
example- which became the British headquarters throughout the war.
When the British forces moved toward Philadelphia in late 1776, Washington led his Army to
intercept them. As winter set in, Washington again proved his daring by crossing the icy
Delaware River on December 25, attacking the encamped Hessian forces at Trenton, then
scattering British regiments at Princeton. These victories, although small, were important to
boost morale and established George Washington as a hero to the then-struggling
Revolution.
In the winter of 1777, Washington and the Continental Army established quarters at Valley
Forge, NJ. This was the darkest hour for the army. Nearly 2500 men froze or starved to deathalthough morale was boosted by training from some European generals, including Lafayette,
and a German (Prussian) Baron, Friedrich von Steuben.
George Washington
Washington reviewing troops at
Valley Forge
Continental Soldier
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By comparison to the British, the Continental
Army had far less experience, men and supplies.
Paying for soldiers’ wages and materiel was also
a problem because the Congress had no power
to tax the individual states to help pay for the
war. Much of the war was paid through foreign
and private loans.
Desertion and turnover was also a big problem
for the Continentals. 230,000 men served in the
Army through the Revolution, but rarely more
than 20,000 at any one time. Many soldiers
deserted their posts at planting and harvest
time.
Local militias also contributed to the American
war effort, especially in the backcountry. These
militias had even less training than the
Continentals, but were often successful using
guerilla tactics to harass and delay supply lines
to the British regiments in the field.
The life of a Continental soldier was grim:
plagued by chronic lack of supplies, exposure to
the elements, high desertion rates, and facing
one of the best trained and equipped armies in
the world
4.d- Explain Yorktown, the role of Lord Cornwallis, and the
Treaty of Paris, 1783
• Although the British had captured Savannah Charlestown and Wilmington,
much of the interior of the South remained out of British control. The
leader of the British forces, Lord Cornwallis decided to invade Virginia to
cut off the South entirely.
• Much of Virginia fell without a struggle, but when a large American force
led by Anthony Wayne arrived in Virginia, Cornwallis was forced to retreat
to the coast to maintain his supply lines from the sea.
• In the meantime, Washington and the Continentals were joined by 6000
French reinforcements. Washington initially intended to re-take New York
with this force, but upon hearing from French allies that French ship were
en route from the Caribbean, he marched to Virginia instead.
• With the French fleet blocking British re-supply at sea, Washington joined
the American forces already in Virginia to block Cornwallis’ retreat by land.
Cornwallis had no choice but to accept defeat, and surrender his army of
8000 to Washington at Yorktown, in October of 1781.
Lord Cornwallis
• Cornwallis was the
general of the British
forces when they were
forced to surrender at
Yorktown, in October
1781.
1783 Treaty of Paris
• The agreement that formally
ended the conflict between
Great Britain and its former
colonies, now officially
recognized as the United
States of America. John
Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and
John Jay negotiated on behalf
of the U.S.
• Other terms included the
return of Florida to the
Spanish, and the return of
several former French colonies
in the Caribbean taken after
the French and Indian War
(Seven Years’ War).