AP: CAUSES OF THE AMERICAN
REVOLUTION
COLONIAL PROBLEMS:
1. PEQUOT WAR (RI, MASS)
KING PHILIP--PILGRIMS
2. SLAVE REVOLT
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STONO REBELLION (SC)
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SLAVE CODES
•3. EAST-WEST DISPUTES (VA)
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BACON’S REBELLION
•4. NAVIGATION ACTS
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SHIPPING LAWS TO MAINTAIN MERCANTILISM
ENUMERATED ARTICLES (CASH CROPS)
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
• Statistical Comparison between English and French colonies 1750:
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Population:
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Troop strength:
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Indian Allies:
• The start of the war:
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Governor of New France—Marquis Duquesne de Menneville,
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forts from Lake Erie to the Ohio River and beyond.—1751
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1753 Lt. Gov. Va. Lord Fairfax—George Washington to survey part
of the “Ohio Territory” for land speculation.
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French building Ft. Duquesne (Pittsburgh).
• ALBANY CONGRESS—1754
– Purpose:
– Result:
• July 1754—George Washington > inform the French they were
trespassing on Va. Soil. When he arrived the fort was almost complete.
Quickly Washington built Ft. Necessity and attacked Ft. Duquesne.
• He lost—this started the French and Indian War
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
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The war: 7 Years’ War—Eng., Prussia v. Fr, Sp.
Russia, Holland and Austria
1755-1758 the French were winning.
“Guerilla Warfare”
**1755--Force of 1400, William Braddock, and colonial militia to
capture Ft. Duquesne.
900 were killed or captured.
The war turned England’s way when William Pitt was chosen as
Prime Minister of Parliament.
Blockade of European coastline.
Launch a pre-emptive strike against Spain.
Attack New France
**1759 Battle of Quebec
Gen James Wolfe v. Gen. Louis Montcalm
“Plains of Abraham”
1759 Battle of Montreal
1760 King George II dies, King George III crowned.
1761 William Pitt resigns as PM, replaced by Lord Bute.
1761 Havana, Cuba and Manila, Philippines
**1763 Treaty of Paris
RESULTS OF FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR
• TREATY OF PARIS 1763
• 1. Internal problems in Parliament
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William Pitt’s resignation
De Facto PM Lord Bute
Election of George Grenville
1st Wilkes Affair
• 2. Anti-American resentment in England
• 3. War Debt
• 4. Pontiac’s Rebellion
THE LAWS
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PROCLAMATION OF 1763
CURRENCY ACT 1764
SUGAR ACT 1764—Lord George Grenville
– INDIRECT TAX
– SUGAR, COFFEE, MOLASSES
– CRACKDOWN ON SMUGGLERS-ADMIRALTY COURTS
– TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION
QUARTERING ACT 1765
STAMP ACT 1765—Lord Grenville
– SUGAR ACT DID NOT BRING ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY DEBT OR PAY TROOPS
STATIONED IN WILDERNESS.
– DIRECT TAX ON ALL OFFICIALLY PRINTED DOCUMENTS
– STAMP ACT CONGRESS (9/13)
– SONS OF LIBERTY
– COLONIAL-WIDE BOYCOTT
DECLARATORY ACT (Lord Rockingham’s government)
STAMP ACT REPEALED
TOWNSHEND ACTS 1767 (aka Revenue Acts ()— (Lord Charles Townshend)
– INDIRECT TAX-glass, lead, paper, paint and tea.
– BOARD OF CUSTOMS COMMISSIONERS
– CIRCULAR LETTER—2 REGIMENTS TO BOSTON
 America’s Response to Revenue Acts:
 Dickinson Letters
 Virginia resolves
 -TROUBLE IN MASSACHUSETTS
 NEWSPAPER STIRRED UP TROUBLES.
-REGULATORS IN SC 1769
 BOSTON MASSACRE MARCH 5, 1770
 TOWNSHEND ACTS REPEALED EXCEPT ON TEA
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LORD HILLSBOROUGH CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
2ND WILKES CRISIS
PLACEMEN
Gaspee Incident
Committees of Correspondence created 1772
 LORD NORTH PRIME MINISTER
 TEA ACT 1773
 Br. East India Tea Co.
 BOSTON TEA PARTY DEC. 16, 1773
 COERCIVE ACTS (INTOLERABLE ACTS)
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Boston Port Act
Massachusetts Government Act
Quartering Act
Administration of Justice Act
Quebec Act
SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD
COMMITTEES OF
CORRESPONDENCE
– Keep other colonies abreast on activities
in Massachusetts.
– Organize boycotts and colonial-wide
meeting in Philadelphia.
•1st CONTINENTAL CONGRESS Sept. 1774
– Accomplishments
•LEXINGTON AND CONCORD April 1775
– Reason for attack
– Retreat to Boston
Call out the instigators
FIRST MAJOR BATTLES
•FT. TICONDEROGA May 1775
•2ND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS May 1775
•COMPARISON OF THE ARMIES:
•June 1775—Battle of Bunker Hill
•Mar. 1776--DORCHESTER HEIGHTS
•Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense
Jan. 1776
•June 1775—Feb 1776 Continental Army
invades Quebec
•(Gen. Montgomery, Gen. Benedict
Arnold)
•1st CHARLESTON June 1776
•DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
America’s darkest hours: 1776-1777
• BRITISH TROOPS RETURN
30,000 strong under Gen. William Howe, navy commander
by Adm. Richard Howe—New York City
Nathan Hale-Capture NYC, chase Gen. Washington out of NY, GW
retreats across NJ into Pa.
Americans deserted by the 100s
• AMERICA’S DARKEST HOUR
– Thomas Paine published The American Crisis pamphlet in
which he criticizes Americans of being “Sunshine
Patriots”.
• TRENTON AND PRINCETON
– Marquis de Lafayette becomes Washington’s Aide-deCamp
– Hessians, Christmas 1776, Jan. 1777
BRITISH PLAN TO WIN THE WAR
4 SIMULTANEOUS ATTACKS: 1777
Gen. John Burgoyne from Montreal
Col. St. Leger, Iroquois
Under Joseph Brant and
Tories from Canada.
Gen. Clinton to Ft. West Point from NYC.
Gen. William Howe to capture Philadelphia
from NYC.
RESULTS OF THE PLAN
Col. St. Leger, Joseph Brant captured a patriot fort at Oriskany but then failed to win
at Ft. Stanwix. Defeated by Benedict Arnold and Gen. Herkimer. July 1777
Gen. Howe defeated Gen. Washington twice, captured Philadelphia.
Germantown and Brandywine Creek
Washington retreated to Valley Forge. July 1777
Gen. Clinton never left NYC.
Gen. Burgoyne recaptured Ft. Ticonderoga
Short on supplies sent Hessians into Vermont—defeated at Battle of Bennington
Aug.-Sept. 1777
Oct. 7, 8, 1777 Battle of Freeman’s Farm
Oct. 9, 1777 Burgoyne surrounded at Saratoga by Gen. Horatio Gates (Benedict
Arnold, and Col. Daniel Morgan) asked for terms of surrender (10/16/1777).
Largest Br. defeat of the war.
1. France agreed to a reciprocal treaty--Treaty of Alliance and Amity 1778
A. Recognized American independence.
B. Promised troops and aid
2. England asked for peace with “home rule” for America.
3. Increased American morale
4. Spain declared war on England, 1779
5. Holland declared war on England 1780.
6. Gen. Howe resigned as Commanding General, turned control over to Gen. Henry
Clinton. Clinton withdrew the troops in Philadelphia to NY City.
AMERICAN POLITICS DURING THE WAR
• Creation of State Governments: Colonial Charters--Constitutions
– Republicanism and Popular Sovereignty
– System of checks and Balances
• Three branches of government
• Bicameralism
• Most of the power granted to the Legislative Branch.
– Limited Government
• Especially tight control over the Executive (Governor)
– Civil Liberties
• Guarantee of personal liberty and freedoms.
• Articles of Confederation 1777
– John Dickinson (Md.)
– Outline of Government
• One branch, unicameral, parliamentary--Legislature
– Powers granted
• Fight a war, deliver the mail, make peace, ask for money, make treaties,
• Limited power to make laws (9/13 majority), make amendments (13/13
majority), control of Ohio Territory.
• Powers denied: No taxing power, no trade regulation, no interference
into state matters.
– Ratification 1781 (13/13)
WAR SHIFTS SOUTH AND WEST
• VALLEY FORGE
– Gen. Frederich Von Steuben
– Significance of Valley Forge
– June 1778—Battle of Monmouth Courthouse (Molly Pitcher)
Washington attacked Clinton’s army as it withdrew from
Philadelphia to New York. Continentals win.
England decided to consolidate its forces in the largest cities.
Last major battle in the north. Largest land battle of the
Revolution.
• American Capt. George Rogers Clark captures 3 Br. Forts in Ohio
Territory. (Gives US claim to Ohio Terr.)
– From Ft. Nelson in Kentucky in 1778
– Ft. Kaskaskia 1778 (Illinois on the Mississippi River)
– Ft. Vincennes (Indiana) 1779
BATTLES IN SC:
8. CORNWALLIS AND WHAT IS LEFT OF TARLETON’S
TORIES DEFEAT GEN. GREENE AT GUILFORD’S
COURTHOUSE. Cornwallis retreats toward Wilmington
NC, then to Virginia.—Pyrrhic Victory, “Friendly Fire”
6. MAJ. FERGUSON (BR) BUTCHERED BY “OVER THE MOUNTAIN BOYS”
AT KING’S .MOUNTAIN 1780. Led by Col. Shelby.
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7. TARLETON LOSES TO COL. DANIEL
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MORGAN (AMER) AT COWPENS (SARATOGA
3. COL. TARLETON MASSACRES SC MILITIAMEN AT THE
OF THE SOUTH) JAN. 1781.
WAXHAWS 1780. He was chasing members of SC’s
Provincial Government who had escaped Charleston.
TARLETON’S QUARTER!!!
5. SC “guerilla fighters”
Low Country- Francis Marion
Midlands- Thomas Sumter
Upstate- Andrew Pickens
1780—harassed Br. forces
all over SC.
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4.4CORNWALLIS
DEFEATS GEN. GATES AT CAMDEN 1780
Humiliating defeat reaffirms Br. idea that colonial militia
are cowards. Gen. Gates replaced by Gen. Nathaniel
Greene.
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2. CORNWALLIS CAPTURES CHARLESTON, April 1780
Largest American defeat of Revolutionary War.
1. Gens. Clinton and
Cornwallis
--Savannah falls 1778.
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OTHER NOTABLE EVENTS
• Benedict Arnold betrays the American cause. May 1780.
– Exchanged plans for the capture of Ft. West Point for a commission in
the British army.
– Maj. John Andre executed by Continental Army for spying in
retaliation for the hanging of Nathan Hale earlier in the war.
John Paul Jones --“Bon Homme Richard”
-defeated the HMS Serapis “I have not yet begun to fight”
WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
 FRENCH ARMY AND NAVY ARRIVE IN
AMERICA
 1780—Count Rochambeau, Adm. De Grasse
 WASHINGTON STILL CAMPED AT MONMOUTH
COURTHOUSE, NJ.
 WASHINGTON ATTACKS CORNWALLIS AT
YORKTOWN. Based on the insistence of the
Marquis de Lafayette--Americans lay siege for
1 month. Combined US and French forces
under Rochambeau.
 French fleet Admiral de Grasse.
 CORNWALLIS SURRENDERS Oct. 1781
 PEACE NEGOTIATIONS—
 Paris—US, Eng., Sp., Holland., and Fr.
 PEACE TREATY OF PARIS-- Sept.3, 1783.
 WAR IS OVER.
 WASHINGTON STOPS COUP D’ETAT AT
NEWBURGH, NY.
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THE CRITICAL PERIOD 1783-1787
AMERICA UNDER THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
SUCCESSES
– WON THE WAR
– TREATY OF PARIS 1783
– LAND ORDINANCE OF 1785
– LAND ORDINANCE OF 1787
PROBLEMS
– DEBT
• VETERAN’S PENSIONS
• WAR BONDS
• BONUSES
• LOANS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES
– STATES AUTONOMY
• MONEY
• ALLIANCES
– ECONOMIC
• LACK OF OVERSEAS MARKETS
• “DUMPING” BY ENGLAND
• HYPER-INFLATION, DEPRESSION
• TREVITT V. WEEDEN, 1786: RHODE ISLAND STATE SUPREME COURT CASE
– SHAYS’S REBELLION 1786 MASSACHUSETTS TAX REVOLT
– ALL CAUSED BY THE INHERENT WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES:
• NO POWER TO TAX
• NO POWER TO REGULATE TRADE
• NO EXCLUSIVE POWER TO PRINT AND COIN MONEY
• NO POWER TO INTERVENE IN STATE PROBLEMS
ORDINANCE OF 1785
CALL FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION
• VIRGINIA (Mt. Vernon) CONFERENCE 1785
• ANNAPOLIS CONVENTION 1786
• CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION MAY 1787
• PURPOSE:
GEORGE
WASHINGTON
• WHERE:
• STATES PRESENT:
• DELEGATES PRESENT:
• NOTABLE ABSENTEES:
• ORGANIZATION OF CONVENTION
• PROPOSALS:
• VIRGINIA PLAN
BEN FRANKLIN
• NEW JERSEY PLAN
• “GREAT COMPROMISE” (CONNECTICUT COMPROMISE)
• 3/5S COMPROMISE
• SLAVE TRADE/COMMERCE CLAUSE COMPROMISE
• RATIFICATION PROCESS AND ARGUMENTS:
• FEDERALIST PAPERS (Madison’s Federalist Paper #10)
• PROMISE BY FEDERALISTS TO ANTI-FEDERALISTS
OF A BILL OF RIGHTS.
JAMES MADISON
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
JOHN JAY
WASHINGTON’S PRESIDENCY (1789-1797)
• FIRST JOB: PUT THE NEW GOVERNMENT IN TO ACTION:
– ESTABLISH THE PRESIDENCY– HIS CABINET– CONGRESS PROPOSED AND THE STATES APPROVED A “BILL OF
RIGHTS”.
• 5 MAJOR ISSUES OF WASHINGTON’S PRESIDENCY:
– 1. DEBT: HAMILTON’S 5 PART PLAN
– 5% Tariff on all imports
– Assumption of state debts
» (Compromise on location of new capital city)
– Pay off bonds at face value
– Raise excise taxes gradually -- 25% whiskey tax
» 1794 Whiskey Rebellion
– Bank of the US
– 2. INDIAN PROBLEMS ON THE FRONTIER
• Treaty of Greenville
– 3. FRENCH REVOLUTION 1789
• Citizen Genet
4. WAR BETWEEN FRANCE AND ENGLAND 1793
Neutrality Proclamation
• Jay’s Treaty
Pinckney’s Treaty
– 5. CREATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES
• Washington’s Farewell address:
• Sept. 1796– announced that he was not running for a 3rd term.
• Listed his accomplishments:
Boundaries firmly set
Indian hostilities over.
Avoided war.
US was expanding– 3 states added.
Debt paid.
Urged America:
Unity at home.
Neutrality abroad
Washington was eulogized by Congress:
“First in War, First in Peace and First in the
hearts of his Countrymen” A modern day
Cincinnatus.