The Revolutionary War
GLCEs
F1.1.2
Describe the ideas, experiences, and interactions that influenced the
colonists’ decisions to declare independence by analyzing experiences
with self-government (e.g., House of Burgesses and town meetings).
F1.2.1
Using the Declaration of Independence, including the grievances at the
end of the document, describe the role this document played in expressing
colonists’ views of government
F1.2.2
Using the Declaration of Independence, including the grievances at the
end of the document, describe the role this document played in expressing
their reasons for separating from Great Britain.
U.3.3.7
Using important documents (such as Common Sense and the Declaration
of Independence), describe historical and philosophical origins of
constitutional government in the United States using the ideas of social
compact, limited government, natural rights, right of revolution, separation
of powers, bicameralism, republicanism, and popular participation in
government
Precursors to the War
People
Chief Pontiac
George Grenville
Parliament
King George III
Vocab
Effigy
Repeal
Boycott
Writs of Assistance
Nonimportation agreements
Quartering Act
A Crisis over Taxes (Chapter 5, Section 3)
British got a little crazy with power and control.
Many people in England wondered if the colonists would want to unite against the British
Ben Franklin intelligently remarked that if they were not willing enough (or didn’t
have the guts) to unite WITH them against the French and Indians, why would
they unite AGAINST them now?
Franklin was wrong. The colonists, though still divided in some ways, were
united against the idea that Britain was power crazy with their new rules and
policies.
New troubles on the Frontier
British heard of land west of the Appalachian Mountains, so they headed out that way.
British sent Lord Jeffrey Amherst to be in charge of the new frontier. He was very rude to
the Indians, raising the price of traded goods as well as allowing English settlers to take
away the land occupied by the Indians.
The Indians cried out to their leader, Chief Pontiac, who was well-respected. Pontiac led
an attack on Fort Detroit and other nearby forts. He and aiding Indian nations were
successful at first, but then started to become taken over by British and colonial
opposition. Once word got out that the British signed the Treaty of Paris, Pontiac and his
Indian allies withdrew their troops, realizing that they could no longer rely on help from
the French.
In an effort to stop western settlement, the British government issued the Proclamation
of 1763. This ordered the settlers to stay out of the lands west of the Appalachian
Mountains. This angered many of the colonists and they refused the British orders. This
was the beginning of colonial resentment and opposition of British rule.
British Impose New Taxes
British were in debt due to the French and Indian War. They felt that since they helped
out the colonists, the colonists should pay them back. And, according to Prime Minister,
George Grenville, taxes were the best way to do that.
Sugar Act - 1764
Taxes on molasses (a valuable trade item in the triangular trade)
Stamp Act - 1765
Taxes on legal documents, such as wills, diplomas, and marriage papers.
Also taxed playing cards, newspapers, almanacs and dice
No taxation Without Representation
People refused to pay these taxes. If they did not have representation in British
Parliament (British law making, governing body), then they should not be taxed. If they
had to pay, they wanted a say. They stoned tax collectors and burned an effigy- a
likeness or “dummy” of the people they disliked. British were shocked at how defiant
(The English were being historically hypocritical, because when they signed the
Magna Carta in 1215, they were wanting to have a say in how things were run
and if they didn’t have a say, they shouldn’t pay taxes).
Moving Toward Unity
Members of the colonies elected delegates to write a petition to King George III and
Parliament. The petition basically said that they refused to pay taxes on these goods and
asked them to repeal (or take away or cancel) the tax. After Parliament ignored the
petition, the colonists boycotted (or refused) buying or trading British goods. Basically,
they said if England wanted to be greedy, the colonists wouldn’t give them any money at
all and that would hurt the British economy. In 1766, Parliament repealed the Stamp Act,
but they passed a law allowing them to raise taxes in “all cases whatsoever”.
The Townshend Acts
(named after Charles Townshend, in charge of British treasury)
Taxed colonists on items such as glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea. Taxes were lower, but
still, they were unfair taxes (no representation). In an effort to try and catch boycotting
smugglers, Parliament would issue writs of assistance, papers which allowed British
officials to search someone’s property without their permission. This angered colonists.
Colonial Protests
Nonimportation Agreements- merchants and planters agreed NOT to buy or import
goods from England.
Sons of Liberty- group of men organized to encourage people to boycott taxes and to sign
the nonimportation agreements. Threatened tax collectors with effigies.
Daughters of Liberty- female version of the Sons of Liberty.
New Leaders Emerge
MASSACHUSETTS
Samuel Adams- leader of the Sons of Liberty. Arranged protests and rallied the
public.
John Adams- Sam’s cousin, a very skilled lawyer who helped interpret British
law
Mercy Otis Warren- published plays that made fun of British officials and
encouraged public support.
VIRGINIA
George Washington
Patrick Henry- lawyer; bold critic of England
Britain takes Action
Britain passed the Quartering Act, which ordered colonists to take British troops into
their homes and feed them until the colonists showed there was no need for England to
send troops over to enforce laws. This made colonists even more aggressive.
The Boston Massacre
On March 5, 1770, colonists were jawing and jeering at British Redcoats outside a
Boston Customs house. Then they started throwing snowballs, oyster shells, and chunks
of ice at the “lobster backs”. It got so hectic that all of a sudden, shots were fired. When
the smoke cleared, 5 lay dead or dying.
One of them was Crispus Attacks, a black sailor involved in the Sons of Liberty
Word of this Boston Massacre spread quickly (due to people like Sam Adams and Paul
Revere). Adams later started the committees of correspondence, a group that wrote letters
and pamphlets alerting people in the colonies of the latest British wrong-doings.
A Temporary Calm
Shortly after the Boston Massacre, Parliament repealed (most of) the Townshend Acts.
The tea tax still stood, to prove the point that England had the power to tax something.
Colonists were temporarily appeased and ended their boycott on British goods (took
away the nonimportation agreements). However, the colonists were REALLY
considering their own political rights.
Fighting Begins (Chapter 5, Section 4)
Colonists had given up serving and drinking tea, in protest of Parliament’s decision to
place a tax on tea.
Uproar over Tea
British East India Company- group that sold British tea in the colonies
They sold it to colonial tea merchants and those merchants sold it to the colonists
Merchants were the “middle man”
Since there was a LOT of tea that was unsold, Parliament passed the Tea Act of 1773 to
help the British East India Tea Company. This allowed the colonists to buy the tea for
less because they did not have to pay the mark-up they had to pay the merchants.
Colonists (to the surprise of Parliament) protested the Tea Act, because it still
showed the British government’s power to tax (control the colonists).
A new boycott
“Do not suffer yourself to sip the accursed, dutied (taxed) STUFF. For if you do,
the devil will immediately enter into you, and you will instantly become a traitor
to your country.”
Boston Tea Party- November 1773
Thomas Hutchinson, colonial governor of Massachusetts allowed three cargo ships to
unload their tea at Boston Harbor. Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty advised that he
refuse this unloading. Hutchinson ignored their request and that upset them. The night of
December 16th, 1773, a group of men dressed like Mohawk Indians went to the ships and
dumped the tea into the Boston Harbor. This event became known as the Boston Tea
Party.
Britain Strikes Back
Intolerable Acts- set of laws passed by King George III to punish Massachusetts
colonists for Boston Tea Party.
1st- Boston Harbor shut down (until colonists paid for the lost tea)
2nd- forbade MA colonists from holding meetings w/o governor’s permission
3rd- British officials would be tried in Britain if charged with a major crime
4th- Quartering Act- British troops could force colonists to house them
Other colonies support Boston
September 1774, delegates from 12 colonies (all but Georgia) met at the First Continental
Congress.
- agreed to boycott all British goods coming in (imports) and going out (exports)
until Intolerable Acts are repealed
- set up and train militia- an army of organized citizens to serve during emergency
Lexington and Concord
Massachusetts was preparing for a British onslaught
Trained Minutemen- group of Massachusetts soldiers who would be ready to
fight within a minute’s notice.
Early 1775, British General Thomas Gage and his troops planned a surprise march to
seize the colonial arms and weapons.
Sounding the alarm
Lights were hung to signal the coming of the British Red Coats (during the night)
Paul Revere was one of many riders who galloped through the streets to warn of the
British coming
“The shot heard round the world”
Looking for arms- weapons and ammunition, British Red Coats advanced to the town of
Lexington on April 19th, 1775. They met a small group of minutemen, outnumbered them
and forced them to retreat. As they were retreating, though, an unknown shot was fired
and battles ensued. 8 minutemen were killed and 1 Red Coat was injured. (British won)
Red Coats pushed on to Concord, but found no arms. So they headed back to Boston. On
their way, they ran into a group of 300 minutemen and were forced to retreat. As they
were retreating, colonial sharpshooters (snipers) picked them off in the woods and fields.
(Colonists won)
These battles at Lexington and Concord started the Revolutionary War.
The War Begins
Early Battles (Chapter 6, Section 1)
May 1775- Second Continental Congress met to try and establish peace
Ethan Allen led a group of men from Vermont (called the Green Mountain Boys) that
took Ft. Ticonderoga by force and seized a valuable supply of cannons and gunpowder.
Continental Army would be led by George Washington (a hero from the French and
Indian War)
Continental Congress sent a peace offering called the Olive Branch Petition to King
George III asking him to repeal the Intolerable Acts. He refused and vowed to bring the
rebels to justice.
The Opposing Sides
American Patriots- colonists that opposed British rule and were willing to fight it
Advantages- were good shooters; led by brilliant commander (G. Washington);
“home-field advantage”; had more incentive to fight and protect their homes
Disadvantages- poorly organized and untrained; few cannons, little gunpowder
British
Advantages- highly trained and experienced; best navy in the world; support
from some of the colonists
Disadvantages- “on the road”; were not familiar with fighting in open fields
American Loyalists (Tories)- loyal to British but remained out of the fighting
- located primarily in the middle states and the south
- some were tarred and feathered or run out of their homes by Patriots
Battle of Bunker Hill
American Patriots lay at Breed’s Hill to defend Boston. The British advanced on the hill,
but the Americans held their fire, since their ammunition was limited. Colonel William
Prescott ordered his Patriot troops to hold their fire until they saw “the white of their
eyes”. Two British advances were thwarted by the Patriots, but the third advance proved
victorious and the British (led by General William Howe) took Breed’s Hill and Bunker
Hill in June of 1775. More than 1,000 Red Coats were killed or wounded, whereas only
400 Patriot casualties were reported.
The Battle of Bunker Hill proved that the American Patriots were going to put up a strong
fight. It also showed that the British would not go away easily.
The British leave Boston
George Washington had a tall task of uniting all the troops from different colonies.
Patriots placed a stock of cannons atop a hill, protecting Boston. General Howe and the
British saw this and retreated to Halifax, Canada. They took with them Loyalist refugeespeople who flee from their homes to escape war. The British also set up a blockade in
Boston Harbor, disallowing anything to come into the colonies from the seas. Finally,
King George hired Hessian mercenaries- troops for hire- from Germany.
March on Canada
In the fall and early winter of 1775, Patriots were trying to take British forces in Canada
(led by Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold). They also wanted to gain support
from the French Canadians, who resented British rule.
The trek was extremely harsh. Rain, snow, and frigid temperatures made it rough for
Patriot troops. They were also low on supplies and forced to eat tree bark and shoe
leather.
Eventually, British troops forced Patriot troops out of Quebec, due to the fact that disease
and hunger weakened them.
Declaring Independence (Chapter 6, Section 2)
Many Americans felt they had the right to govern themselves. Yet some still felt loyal to
the crown.
January 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense.
He argued that it only made (common) sense that Americans govern themselves.
He argued that a King only brings ruin to the nation. He says an “honest man”
would better govern a nation.
He argued that England only served the colonies for selfish reasons.
He boldly urged the colonies to declare their Independence.
Many Americans now felt the need to declare independence. In 1776, Richard Henry Lee
of Virginia offered this resolution to Congress. Delegates were in a tough spot. They all
wanted independence, but they knew that if they fell into the hands of British officials
and did not win the war, they would be hanged as traitors- someone who betrays his or
her own country. Still, the freedom of independence was worth the risk and they asked
Thomas Jefferson to write the formal document.
The Declaration of Independence
July 4th, 1776, delegates accepted Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence.
John Hancock was the first to sign it. He signed it big so that old King George
would be able to read it.
Copies of the Declaration were sent to colonists, which they rejoiced over.
Three Parts of the Declaration:
1. Natural Rights- people are born with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness. If they have these rights taken away, they are justified in revolt.
2. British Wrongs- it was wrong to send British troops to control colonies in
times of peace; wrong to tax without consent of the people; didn’t listen to the
wants of the colonies
3. Independence- they were United States now and all ties with Britain were cut
Fighting in the Middle States (Chapter 6, Section 3)
Fighting shifted from New England to the middle states.
British Take New York
Howe and his many British troops and strong navy defeated Washington (and his fewer
troops and lack of a navy) at the Battle of Long Island (New York). Realizing he was
vastly overmatched, Washington retreated across the Hudson River into New Jersey and
eventually south into Pennsylvania.
Nathan Hale- a “scout” for Washington and the Patriots to get information on the
British. The British found out what he was doing and sentenced him to death. Right
before he was killed, he said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my
country.”
December of 1776, Washington and his troops were becoming weary and despair was
setting in. Thomas Paine wrote yet another storied document, called, The Crisis. It
basically urged troops to weather the storm and the rewards for those who do will be
great.
(Read quote on page 170)
The American rebels, with new vigor, won important victories at the Battles of Trenton
and Princeton (both in New Jersey) which gave the Patriots new hope. These battles
were fought in the cold and harsh weather of late December and early January 1776-77.
Washington’s troops defeated British led by General Charles Cornwallis.
Turning Point of the War
British General John Burgoyne made a proposal to King George III that he thought
would help the British squash the rebels. He proposed to cut off shipment of troops and
supplies from New England to the middle states (where Washington’s troops were).
General Howe took Philadelphia (per the King’s request). Burgoyne and his troops were
left alone to march on Albany, NY. His army was slowed down by heavy baggage and
swamps created by the rebel troops (damming up the streams by cutting down trees).
Burgoyne’s troops re-took Ft. Ticonderoga (NY) and headed to Vermont to gain supplies.
Once there, though, they were met by a strong force of rebels. Altogether, over 1,000
British troops were wounded or captured in Vermont. Meanwhile, in NY, the Green
Mountain Boys hurried to New York to help the American troops there defeat Burgoyne
and his troops at the Battle of Saratoga (October 1777), the turning point of the
Revolutionary War. This win not only boosted American war morale, but it also helped
them gain France as an ally- a “teammate” to help them win the war.
Help from Europe
Once the rebels won at Saratoga, that gave European nations reason to join their cause to
defeat Britain. France, along with Spain and the Netherlands aided the American cause.
They loaned them troops and supplies to help them defeat the British. They also loaned
their expertise to train the novice rebel troops. They also received help from individuals
such as:
Marquis de Lafayette (France)- trained troops; one of Washington’s trusted
friends
Friedrich von Steuben (Germany)- trained troops to march and drill
Thaddeus Kosciusko (Poland)- engineer who helped build forts and defenses
Casmir Pulaski (Poland)- trained cavalry, or troops on horseback
Harsh conditions make it tough
Winter of 1777-78 was very cold. Supplies were bleak and they had to sleep in drafty
huts or on the frozen ground. Snow and wind chilled the troops. Some did not have shoes
on their feet, so they wrapped cloth around their feet to try and stave off frostbite.
Hearing of the dismal conditions, many Patriots from around the nation sent supplies to
the troops. Some people, like Martha Washington (George’s wife) even went to the
troops to lend a hand to the sick and wounded. Once the spring of 1778 came, things got
much better.
Other Battlefronts (Chapter 6, Section 4)
War in the West
Most Indians sided with the British, because they were convinced that a patriot victory
would cause the Indians to lose their land to settlement.
Patriots defeated Indians (Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, and Chickasaws) and British in
the South and in the North (Iroquois), though after some arduous battles.
George Rogers Clark (with help from the Miami Indians) led Patriot victories in the Ohio
Valley, including an important victory at Vincennes.
He had his men spread out in the woods to appear that their numbers were large,
causing the British opposition to surrender.
Patriots received Spanish aid (lending medicine, clothing, muskets, gunpowder, and cattle
for food), and in 1779, they officially entered as allies with the Continental Army.
Bernardo de Galvez led victories along the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico, and
West Florida.
War in the South
British (under the leadership of Sir Henry Clinton) gained Loyalist support in the South.
Won victories in Savannah, GA, Charleston, SC, and Camden, SC. George Washington
started to lose hope.
Fighting at Sea
British had the most powerful Navy in the world, so the Americans were BIG underdogs
at sea. But one man, John Paul Jones dared to be brave. He attacked the British ship, the
Serapis and sailed close enough for his men to board the enemy British ship. When
offered to surrender, Jones made the famous retort, “I have not yet begun to fight”. I
hand-to-hand combat, the Americans won and defeated the British.
Women in the War
Some woman took on the male roles of tending to the farms. Others made shoes and
wove cloth for uniforms. Some women went to the battlefields, cooking for the men,
tending to their wounds, and taking them water.
Betsy Ross- sewed flags for Washington’s army
Martha Washington- joined her husband, George
Mary Ludwig Hays (“Molly Pitcher”) carried water to soldiers
African Americans in the War
At first, blacks were not allowed to fight. Then King George offered freedom to any slave
who fought for the King. In response, George Washington allowed free African
Americans to enlist.
Prince Estabrook- fought at Lexington and Concord
Peter Salem, and Salem Poor- fought at Bunker Hill
Many were noted to be as brave and feisty as any other Patriot
They faced the tough choice of fighting for Britain and being hanged by angry Patriots, or
fighting for Patriots and being captured and sold by the English.
Near the end of the Revolution, many states (mainly in the north) began to have a
problem with the issue of slavery, especially the Quakers of PA.
** States in the south relied more on an agricultural economy and needed the
slaves more so than the north.
Winning the War (Chapter 6, Section 5)
After winning the Battle of King’s Mountain (in South Carolina), the Patriots turned the
tide in the South. Before this, Sir Henry Clinton was owning the South- and became
destructive and brutal.
Two men who helped turn the tide (especially with morale) for the Patriots were:
Nathaniel Greene (RI)
* 1780- Took command of the Continental Army in the South
* Used geography to his advantage- led troops to rivers where boats could
deliver supplies or take them away. Wore out Cornwallis’ armies.
Daniel Morgan (VA).
* 1781- fought in Cowpens, SC
* Had a brilliant strategy. Had front and rear lines. Had front lines attack,
then run. Thinking the entire continental army was retreating, the British
attacked and ran right into a charging rear line and lost.
Both men joined armies against Cornwallis at Guilford Court House (near Greensboro,
NC). It was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, and though the Americans retreated,
the British suffered more.
Francis Marion (SC)
* Known as the “Swamp Fox”
* Led small militia of rebels
* Used guerilla warfare- hit-and-run tactic, where they would attack, then
run and hide in the woods and swamps.
Victory at Yorktown
Cornwallis gave up on the Carolinas and headed north to Virginia, looking to cut off the
rebels from the south.
Benedict Arnold- TRAITOR!!
After commanding the Americans at West Point, NY, he was underappreciated
and broke, so he agreed to give up his fort in turn for money and protection from
the British. So he joined the “other side”. This angered MANY Patriots. A bounty
was put on his head, but he was never captured. In the meantime, he captured and
burned the city of Richmond, VA.
In September of 1780, Cornwallis attacked on Charlottesville, VA, causing the Virginia
Legislature to flee. He was then advised (by Sir Henry Clinton) to send some of his
troops to New York. Cornwallis ignored the order and, instead, headed to the Yorktown
Peninsula, confident he would be aided by the British from the sea. He was WRONG.
George Washington, with help from French allies on land and by sea (under French
Admiral de Grasse) trapped Cornwallis, giving him NO ROOM to escape. The British
tried to hold their ground and wait for help, but the casualties were too much and the
supplies were too low. The British had lost the Battle of Yorktown on October 19th, 1781,
and surrendered their weapons to the Americans.
End of the War
The British, under Prime Minister Lord North, realized that they had lost not only the
war, but control over the American colonists. Congress sent Ben Franklin, John Adams
John Jay, and Henry Laurens to work out a treaty. They signed the Treaty of Paris in
September of 1783. This gave the lands between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic
Ocean to the Colonists. Florida was given back to Spain.
Many men involved in the war were sad and upset to be separated from their brethren and
their cunning leader, George Washington.
Reasons for the American Victory
British had to send troops and supplies over a longer distance
Patriots were spread out over a wide area- hard to be captured
The Patriots knew the land- home field advantage
Had help from the Spanish and the French
Patriotic spirit and determination to become independent
Leadership of George Washington
Links
General
http://www.americanrevolution.com
Map of Lexington and Concord and some other battle sites
http://www.dean.usma.edu/history/web03/atlases/american%20revolution/american%20r
evolution%20maps/american_revolution_overview.gif
Stamp Act 1765
World Book
http://ww.history.org/Histroy/teaching/tchcrsta.htm
http://odur.let.rug.nlo/_usa/E/sugar_stamp/act01.html
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0846474.html
Why was the Stamp Act affective?
http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/politics/polhis.htm
Virginia Stamp Act Resolution (Patrick Henry)
http://www.history.org/History/teaching/tchcrvar.htm
The Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions 1765
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/vsa65.htm
Townshend Acts 1767
World Book
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0849181.html
http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/UsaHistory/AmericanRevolution?Quest.htm#Townshen
dAct
http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/E/townshend/dutiesxx.htm
www.encyclopedia.com/printablenew.12995.html
Boston Massacre 1770
World Book
The Bloody Massacre
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part2/2p25.html
http://www.bostonmassacre.net
http://www/ilt.columbia.edu/k12/history/blacks/massacre.html
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0808436.html
www.encyclopedia.com/printablenew/01710.hmtml
Crispus Attucks
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part2/2p24.html
http://www.anb.org/articles/01/01-00034.html
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trr046.html
Boston Tea Party 1773
World Book
The Tea Act
http://ahp.gatech.edu/tea_act_bp_1773.html
http://infoplease.com/ce6/histroy/A0808443.html
http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/E/teaparty/bostonxx.htm
http://pages.infinit.net/aaricia/tea/bosto2.htm
Sons of Liberty
http://earlyamerica.com/review/fall96/sons.html
Eyewitness account
http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/teaparty.htm
Intolerable or Coercive Acts
World Book
http://www.encyclopedia.com/printablenew/06428.html
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/intolerable.htm
http://historywiz.com/intolerable.htm
http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Depts/MilSci/BTSI/abs_coer.html
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/intolerable.htm
http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/conwell/revolution/congress.htm
Declaration of Independence
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/