America Secedes from the Empire American History Chapter 8 4/13/2015 John 3:16 1 Overview Following Lexington and Concord, 20,000 musket bearing “Minute Men” swarmed around Boston There was still hope that the king and parliament would see things as the colonists saw them—several appeals were rebuffed Plans made to raise money for army and navy War was close 4/13/2015 John 3:16 2 Congress Drafts George Washington Most important move to draft George Washington as the military leader ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Most experienced—but experience thin Already in uniform Forty three years old Distinguished Virginia planter Risen to rank (actually, grade) of Colonel His largest command to date was 1,200 men 4/13/2015 John 3:16 3 Congress Drafts George Washington Washington was not a great military genius—lost more battles than he won (but he was outnumbered and outgunned) Washington had many other attributes ◦ Outstanding powers of leadership ◦ Immense strength of character ◦ Patience, courage, self-discipline, and sense of justice 4/13/2015 John 3:16 4 Congress Drafts George Washington Washington… ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Great morale force Great symbol and rally point People instinctively trusted him Sensed he was committed—ready to “go down with the ship” if necessary ◦ Insisted serving without pay—but kept an expense account—amounted to $100,000 4/13/2015 John 3:16 5 Congress Drafts George Washington Washington… ◦ Sternly reprimand steward for providing enemy with supplies—steward under duress ◦ Washington preferred they burn his mansion ◦ Prudence had suggested a commander from Virginia rather than from a northern colony— Virginia was the most populist ◦ An aristocrat, already wealthy personally and by marriage 4/13/2015 John 3:16 6 Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings The war was fought for 14 months, April 1775-July 1776, before independence was declared The tempo of the war gradually increased ◦ British garrisons at Ticonderoga and Crown Point in upper New York captured in May 1775 Leaders were Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold Gunpowder and artillery secured 4/13/2015 John 3:16 7 Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings June 1775, colonists seized Bunker Hill (actually Breed’s Hill) ◦ Able to menace the redcoats in Boston ◦ British launched an ill-thought-out frontal assault on the colonists Sharpshooting Americans, about 1500, mowed down the advancing redcoats Gunpowder gave out—forced to abandon the hill 4/13/2015 John 3:16 8 Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings As late as July 1775, the Continental Congress adopted the “Olive Branch Petition” ◦ Professed American loyalty to the crown ◦ Begged the king to prevent further hostilities ◦ After Bunker Hill, King George III refused 4/13/2015 John 3:16 9 Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings King George III ◦ Formally declared colonies in rebellion August 1775 Skirmishes were now treason, a hanging crime Hired thousands of German soldiers to help “seal the fate” of the colonies 4/13/2015 John 3:16 10 Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings King George hires Hessians ◦ Six German princes needed the money ◦ King George III needed the men ◦ Most of German forces came from the German principality of Hesse—thus the Americans called them Hessians 4/13/2015 John 3:16 11 Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings Colonists were socked with news of the German hirelings ◦ This is a “family” fight ◦ Why bring in the Germans ◦ Germans known for their butchery Many Hessians were seduced by land offers made by the colonists, deserted their posts and became American citizens 4/13/2015 John 3:16 12 The Abortive Conquest of Canada The rebels (colonists) attacked Canada ◦ Goal was to add 14th colony ◦ Rebels underestimated French loyalty to Britain who had treated them well in the Quebec Act of 1774 ◦ Rebels defeated ◦ General leaders were Richard Montgomery (killed) and Benedict Arnold (wounded) 4/13/2015 John 3:16 13 The Abortive Conquest of Canada Most Americans continued to disclaim desire for independence January, 1776, British set fire to Norfolk, Virginia In March, the rebels forced the british from Boston ◦ Evacuation Day is still celebrated in Boston 4/13/2015 John 3:16 14 Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense Loyalty to Britain was deeply ingrained in the colonists ◦ Felt like part of a trans-atlantic community— Britain play a leading role ◦ Colonial unity was poor ◦ Open rebellion was dangerous—especially against Britain ◦ Irish rebels were hanged, drawn, and quartered 4/13/2015 John 3:16 15 Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense Five months before declaring independence, officers of Washington’s mess were toasting, “God save the king” before they would eventually toast “God save the congress” Gradually, they were shocked into accepting separation from the crown 4/13/2015 John 3:16 16 Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense Thomas Paine writes the pamphlet Common Sense ◦ Paine—once impoverished corset-makers apprentice ◦ Pamphlet sold 120,000 copies in a few months ◦ “Shilly-shallying” of colonists was contrary to “common sense” ◦ Nowhere in the universe did smaller bodies control larger ones 4/13/2015 John 3:16 17 Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense Thomas Paine… ◦ Why should tiny Britain control the vast America ◦ The king in nothing more than “the Royal Brute of Great Britain” ◦ Paine certainly considered a radical for his day 4/13/2015 John 3:16 18 Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism” Thomas Paine ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Eloquent Compelling Doubly radical Called for more than independence—he called for creating a new kind of political society: a republic Power flows from the people themselves, not from a monarch 4/13/2015 John 3:16 19 Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism” Paine was not new with his “republican” recommendation ◦ Since classical Greeks ◦ Republican thoughts survived within British government ◦ British politicians critical of too much power with the king wrote about republicanism ◦ American colonists were in agreement 4/13/2015 John 3:16 20 Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism” Paine’s radical prescription—reject the monarchy and empire and embrace an independent republic—fell on receptive ears 4/13/2015 John 3:16 21 Paine and the idea of “Republicanism” New Englanders had experienced a type of republicanism in townhall meetiings Thomas Paine 4/13/2015 John 3:16 22 Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism” Americans saw virtue as necessary to any form of republican government Power not with central “king” authority Republicanism means—among other things--collective good of the many matters more than the personal and private rights of the individual 4/13/2015 John 3:16 23 Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism” Not all colonists agreed with the “ultrademocratic” form of republicanism Paine spoke to ◦ Many thought a natural aristocracy of talent ◦ Concern for end to the social order ◦ Concern for an end to stability 4/13/2015 John 3:16 24 Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism” The fear of conservative republicans ◦ Would “lower orders” of society have too much power ◦ What will the laboring classes: poorer farmers, tenants, and laboring classes, do with more power ◦ Lower classes seem to embrace “runaway republicanism” that amounted to radical “leveling” 4/13/2015 John 3:16 25 Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence Members of Philadelphia Congress edged toward break ◦ Richard Henry Lee, June 7, 1776 “these united colonies…ought to be, free and independent states” Motion was adopted July 2, 1776 This was the formal “declaration” of independence 4/13/2015 John 3:16 26 Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence John Adams said July 2 should be forever celebrated Something more was required ◦ To inspire the remaining colonists ◦ To invite international assistance ◦ To rally resistance from home 4/13/2015 John 3:16 27 Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence Congress appoints committee to draft formal declaration of independence ◦ Thomas Jefferson chosen to draft it Tall Freckled Sandy hair Lawyer Thirty three years old Recognized as brilliant writer 4/13/2015 John 3:16 28 Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence Jefferson’s writing of the “independence’ was couched in lofty style—and it was magnificent ◦ Invoked “natural rights” of humankind, not just British rights Because king had flouted these rights, the colonists were justified in cutting their connection 4/13/2015 John 3:16 29 Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence Jefferson proceeded to “detail” the specific offenses against the colonists ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Imposing taxes without consent Dispensing with trial by jury Abolishing valued laws Establishing a military dictatorship Maintaining standing armies in peacetime Cutting off trade Burning towns 4/13/2015 John 3:16 30 Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence Jefferson was assigned the task, through his writing, of being the “prosecuting attorney” Sometimes called, “the world’s greatest editorial” He owned many slaves ◦ His “all men are created equal” would haunt him and his fellow citizens for generations 4/13/2015 John 3:16 31 Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence The “declaration” cleared the air for action ◦ Aid could be sought from other countries ◦ Patriots of America were now clearly rebels ◦ Franklin remarked that patriots must hang together or hang separately ◦ “We mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor” 4/13/2015 John 3:16 32 Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence Lafayette hung a copy on the wall in his home back in France ◦ Would use it during the French Revolution that he played a major part 4/13/2015 John 3:16 33 Patriots and Loyalists War for Independence was war within a war ◦ “Loyalists” fought the “patriots” ◦ Rebels fought the redcoats ◦ Loyalists called “Tories”—from dominant political faction in Britain ◦ Patriots called “Whigs”—after the opposition factions in Britain 4/13/2015 John 3:16 34 Patriots and Loyalists The American Revolution was a minority movement ◦ Many colonists apathetic—”on the fence” ◦ The militiamen were able to effect more “political education” with the people and won many converts as the war went on ◦ “the Americans would be less dangerous if they had a regular army”—one British officer 4/13/2015 John 3:16 35 Patriots and Loyalists Loyalists were about 16% ◦ Split over separation from Britain ◦ Benjamin Franklin was a patriot, his son a loyalist ◦ Loyalty normally seen as a virtue ◦ Had King George III won, the loyalists would have been the patriots ◦ Many wealthy and older colonists 4/13/2015 John 3:16 36 Patriots and Loyalists Young people make revolutions Patrick Henry—at the Virginia Assembly ◦ “I know not what course others may chose, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death” 4/13/2015 John 3:16 37 Patriots and Loyalists Loyalists included the kings officers and the Anglican Church Washington felt he was fighting in “the enemy’s country” in some places ◦ His men were starving and local farmers were selling food to the British 4/13/2015 John 3:16 38 The Loyalist Exodus Before the Declaration of Independence, loyalists would often be tarred and feathered After the “Declaration” ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Loyalists were roughly treated Some loyalists hanged Some loyalists put in jail But…no wholesale bloodshed like in the French and Russian revolutions 4/13/2015 John 3:16 39 The Loyalists Exodus Loyalists were apt to flee to the British side ◦ About 80,000 loyalists driven out ◦ Hundreds of thousands permitted to stay— more mild in their politics About 50,000—one time or another— took up arms for the British Some loyalist served as spies Britain didn’t make full use of loyalists 4/13/2015 John 3:16 40 General Washington at Bay In July 1776, the British fleet of 500 ships and 35,000 troops appeared off New York ◦ Washington’s troops were routed when panic set in ◦ Washington barely able to escape ◦ The British would chase them with buglers giving fox-hunting calls 4/13/2015 John 3:16 41 General Washington at Bay The British General Howe could have pursued quickly and perhaps crushed Washington’s army ◦ Not a good general ◦ Remembered Bunker Hill ◦ Didn’t like Winter fighting 4/13/2015 John 3:16 42 General Washington at Bay December 26, 1776 ◦ Washington crossed the Delaware River and surprised the sleeping Hessians Capture 1000 Washington defeats a detachment of British at Princeton ◦ Had left his campfires burning as a ruse 4/13/2015 John 3:16 43 Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion Trying to capture the Hudson River Valley ◦ Attempt to sever New England from the other colonies ◦ Three armies moving to meet in the Hudson Valley ◦ Generals Burgoyne and Howe led two of the armies 4/13/2015 John 3:16 44 Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion General Benedict Arnold was retreating from Canada ◦ General Burgoyne pursued Arnold but was not able to defeat him until after a long struggle ◦ The delay caused General Burgoyne to hold up for the Winter in Canada ◦ Burgoyne made the mistake of starting at Montreal instead of further south at Fort Ticonderoga 4/13/2015 John 3:16 45 Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion A “heavy” caravan of troops, baggage, several women (many officers’ wives), etc., slowed the progress of General Burgoyne’s advance General Howe should have been advancing up the Hudson to join Burgoyne at advancing south on lake Champlain—instead, he attacked Philadelphia 4/13/2015 John 3:16 46 Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion Howe wanted to force an engagement with Washington’s army ◦ An attempt to destroy it ◦ Then leave the path for Burgoyne’s final advance 4/13/2015 John 3:16 47 Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion Washington transferred his army to Philadelphia ◦ Washington was defeated in two quick pitch battles Brandywine Creek Germantown 4/13/2015 John 3:16 48 Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion Howe “Wintered” in Philadelphia Burgoyne floundering in upper New York Washington settled in at Valley Forge ◦ Hilly site 20 miles north of Philadelphia ◦ Miserable Winter for his men ◦ Prussian drillmaster Baron von Steuben whips the army into battle shape 4/13/2015 John 3:16 49 Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion Burgoyne gets bogged close to Albany ◦ Militiamen, sensing the kill, swarmed around him ◦ Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga Surrenders to American General Horatio Gates, October 17, 1777 Saratoga ranks high among decisive battles in American and world history 4/13/2015 John 3:16 50 Burgoyne’s Blundering Invasion Significance of Saratoga ◦ Revived faltering colonial cause ◦ Made possible urgently needed aid from other nations—like France 4/13/2015 John 3:16 51 Revolution in Diplomacy France was eager to “even the score” with Britain ◦ Without its American colonies, Britain would not be front-rank power ◦ France might gain its former prestige 4/13/2015 John 3:16 52 Revolution in Diplomacy Americans stood for revolution of political ideas at home and internationally ◦ An end to colonialism and mercantilism ◦ Supported free trade and freedom of the seas ◦ Hoped to substitute the rule of law over reliance of raw power to arbitrate affairs of nations 4/13/2015 John 3:16 53 Revolution in Diplomacy The new republics great seal proclaimed ◦ “A new order for the ages” ◦ Novus ordo seculorum ◦ To apply to international and domesticate affairs 4/13/2015 John 3:16 54 Revolution in Diplomacy Continental Congress drew up draft of treaty—a model for the American commissioner going to the French court—lots of John Adams input ◦ No political connection… ◦ No military connection… ◦ Only commercial connection… 4/13/2015 John 3:16 55 Revolution in Diplomacy The “model treaty” represented an emerging school of thought ◦ Military conflict abandoned ◦ Commercial interests would guarantee peace 4/13/2015 John 3:16 56 Revolution in Diplomacy Benjamin Franklin led the negotiations with France for an alliance ◦ Wanted his appearance to herald in the diplomatic revolution America wanted to achieve ◦ Clothing and demeanor violated diplomatic norms 4/13/2015 John 3:16 57 Revolution in Diplomacy Violating diplomatic norms… ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ No ceremonial sword…only a walking stick No ermined robes or fancy wigs Shocked the court, but… Ordinary Parisians adored him—devoid of pretense and ornament 4/13/2015 John 3:16 58 Revolution in Diplomacy British offered the Americans home rule ◦ This was all the Americans had earlier asked for ◦ Franklin now played on the possibility of Anglo-American reconciliation 4/13/2015 John 3:16 59 Revolution in Diplomacy February 6, 1778, France offered the Americans a treaty of alliance ◦ Not exactly in conformance to the Model Treaty ◦ Against its better judgment, America concluded its first entangling military alliance and would soon regret it ◦ But, America was officially recognized as independent and added military heft 4/13/2015 John 3:16 60 Revolution in Diplomacy The agreement… ◦ Both allies agreed to wage war until America had secured its freedom ◦ Both agreed to terms with the common enemy The America Revolution was hence a world war 4/13/2015 John 3:16 61 The Colonial War Becomes a Wider War England and France came to blows in 1778 Spain entered the war against Britain in 1779—so did Holland Combined Spanish and French fleets outnumbered British 4/13/2015 John 3:16 62 The Colonial War Becomes a Wider War Other nations began to line up against Britain—some more passive ◦ Catherine the Great of Russia demanded more respect from Britain on the high seas ◦ Europe, North America, South America, the Caribbean, and Asia—requiring Britain to abide by the laws of the high seas 4/13/2015 John 3:16 63 The Colonial War Becomes a Wider War French help from 1778-1783 ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Guns Money Equipment Half of regular armed forces Most of naval strength But independence was achieved when the war went international—too big for Britain to handle 4/13/2015 John 3:16 64 The Colonial War Becomes a wider War France’s powerful fleets influenced the decisions made by Britain ◦ Had to move from Philadelphia to New York ◦ Once centralized in New York area, Washington could exploit the situation ◦ Washington attacked at Monmouth Many Hessian deserted Washington remained in Monmouth hemming in the British 4/13/2015 John 3:16 65 Blow and Counterblow French army of 6,000 regular troops land in Newport, Rhode Island General Benedict Arnold becomes a traitor ◦ Plotted to sell out West Point—commanding position on the Hudson river ◦ Arnold was dashing, brilliant, etc., he was also ambitious, greedy, unscrupulous, and believed his services were not fully appreciated 4/13/2015 John 3:16 66 Blow and Counterblow British had a plan to “roll-up” the colonies beginning in the South ◦ Georgia, South Carolina, etc. ◦ British captured 5,000 men and arms 4/13/2015 John 3:16 67 Blow and Counterblow Fighting intensifies in the Carolinas ◦ Often, men on both sides were butchered in cold blood after giving up—frustrations of war ◦ General Nathanael Greene, the Fighting Quaker”, distinguished himself through strategy of delay He wore down the British troops under General Cornwallis by “hit and run” tactics 4/13/2015 John 3:16 68 The Land Frontier and the Sea Frontier The Indians take sides ◦ 1777 was known as the “bloody war” on the frontier ◦ Many Indian nations sided with the Americans, including the Iroquois, others sided with the British ◦ Joseph Brant sided with the British—he thought the British would hold back the expansion of the Americans on the frontier 4/13/2015 John 3:16 69 The Land Frontier and the Sea Frontier In the wilds of Illinois, the British were vulnerable ◦ George Rogers Clark conceived a plan to attack forts ◦ Clark floated down the Ohio and captured several forts in succession 4/13/2015 John 3:16 70 The Land Frontier and the Sea Frontier America had small infant navy—not much of a dent in the war machine of Britain ◦ Had some impact intercepting British supply ships ◦ Most famous among commanding officers was John Paul Jones—hard fighting young Scotsman 4/13/2015 John 3:16 71 The Land Frontier and the Sea Frontier Privateers (legal pirates) were authorized by congress to attack British ships The British navy also intercepted hundreds of ships coming to America with supplies 4/13/2015 John 3:16 72 The Land Frontier and the Sea Frontier Privateering had a positive for the Americans ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Brought in gold Harassed the enemy Raise morale Cause insurance British insurance rates to skyrocket ◦ Put pressure on parliament to end the war 4/13/2015 John 3:16 73 Yorktown and the Final Curtain Americans see “dark” days ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ 1780-1781 Runaway inflation Hard to pay debts Despair Talk of mutiny 4/13/2015 John 3:16 74 Yorktown and the Final Curtain General Cornwallis falls back to the Chesapeake and into a trap ◦ Not well protected by the British navy ◦ French Admiral de Grasse, with powerful fleet in West Indies, gets word to Washington he can help with assault on Cornwallis at Yorktown ◦ Washington seizes the opportunity—300 mile forced march to the Chesapeake Bay 4/13/2015 John 3:16 75 Yorktown and the Final Curtain With de Grasse cutting off retreat by sea, and Washington surrounding Cornwallis by land, Cornwallis surrendered entire force of 7,000 troops on October 19, 1781 Accompanying Washington was French General Rochambeau’s army French supplied all the navy and half the troops 4/13/2015 John 3:16 76 Yorktown and the Final Curtian King George III still didn’t give up ◦ War continued for another year ◦ Still 54,000 British troops in North America Washington was able to achieve his goals during this period ◦ Keep the cause alive ◦ Keep the army in the field ◦ Keep the states together 4/13/2015 John 3:16 77 Yorktown and the Final Curtain Baron von Steuben—Prussian general— explains the difference between American troops and others ◦ “The genius of this nation is not in the least to be compared with that of the Prussians, Austrians, or French. You say to your soldier, ‘Do this’ and he doeth it; but I am obliged to say, ‘This is the reason why you ought to do that,’ and then he does it.” 4/13/2015 John 3:16 78 Peace at Paris King George’s “power base” was crumbling ◦ Lord North’s ministry collapsed—Whig ministry replaced Tories—and were friendlier to Americans ◦ Brits tired of war and were economically affected 4/13/2015 John 3:16 79 Peace at Paris Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay sent to Paris to discuss treaty ◦ Told not to make separate peace, and ◦ To keep French informed at every step Representatives didn’t like these directions—they knew French had been involved in writing them 4/13/2015 John 3:16 80 Peace at Paris France’s wanted to keep Americans east of the Allegheny Mountains France’s ally, Spain, wanted more American land—land that Americans were coveting John Jay was not willing to play France’s game ◦ Jay, against instructions, appealed to Britain and made peace arrangements 4/13/2015 John 3:16 81 Peace at Paris By the Treaty of Paris of 1783, the Bits recognized American independence ◦ Generous boundaries were granted West to the Mississippi North to the Great Lakes South to Florida 4/13/2015 John 3:16 82 Peace at Paris America concessions ◦ Loyalists not to be persecuted ◦ Confiscated loyalist property restored ◦ No obstacles for collecting debts owed to Britain 4/13/2015 John 3:16 83 A New Nation Legitimized Why was Britain so generous? ◦ Seduce America away from France ◦ Whigs more generous ◦ Open trade channels for benefit of all France approved of the treaty 4/13/2015 John 3:16 84 A New Nation Legitimized America came out the real winner ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Independence Great territorial increase and birth Heritage of freedom Highly unusual blessing on a people 4/13/2015 John 3:16 85