American Revolution and the New Nation (1775-1787) ‘slong with invaluable army. The fst gow les of Confederation, ental Congress (May 1775): meeting that author ‘army; many delegates stil hoped that conf 2s Paine attacking the system of government by monarchy; this document was very influential throughour the colonies ndepender [stiles of Confederation (ratified 1781): document ted States; the feder the states much powe vernment was given limitednd the New Nation (775-1787) «103 Northwest Ordinances (1784, 1785, 1787): bills authorizing the sale of lands in the Northwest Territory to raise money forthe federal government: ils aso laid out procedures for these territories to eventually attain statohood Lexington and Concord King George I and the Bish government headed by Lord North did noc respon favors biy to the petition of the Fist Continental Congress. The British government sw no reaton o compromise with the American colonists. They filed wo comprehend that events trere moving out oftheir contol, The Americans wee eapidly establishing a unified front sina the Inoerable Acts and British actempts to weaken colonial sel government. In Massachusetts, che assembly met in delance of the orders of General Thomas Gags, che acting governor, i became in effect «shadow government, exerting ts influence over most ‘ofthe colony outside of Boston, where Gage st with his small army of Redcoxs Porsuant to the Suffolk Resolves call for the colonies to upgrade thee miliias, the Massichusets assembly created a mili system independent of General Gage's conta Arms and munitions for thee men were stored atthe town of Concord. In February 1775, the British government declared Mastachusets tobe in state of rebellion. On the night of [April 18-19, Gage sen fore of 700 men to destroy the militia arsenal at Concord, Word ofthis expedition soon leaked to the Americans, and Paul Revere and William Daves rode out of Boston to spread che word that the Redcoas were coming, As the sun rose on Ail 19, che Bris vanguard encountered a force of 80 militiamen gathered on che twa Common at Lexington. The Brish ordered che militia ro disperse; the American mila | ‘commander ordered his men eo fall back, but noe everyone heatd him. Ar cis moment fof uncertaingy, someone fred a shot. More shots Followed, and the Brith charged wich | bayonets. Within minutes, eight colonists were dead and ten wounded, The Beish continued thei advance to Concord. The Americans were ready for them: more and more militiamen were gathering. The Brcsh found and destroyed some mil bur did litle significant damage. A large group of miliamen advanced on the British troops guarding the North Budge on the ouskire of the rown and afer an ‘exchange offre drove chem away. The British began to march back to Boston along el of | | | the way, they were attacked by groups of angey militiamen. Only the timely feinforcements sent by Gage saved the column. In this fighting, che Beis lst 275 men: | 98 Americans were killed | Th May Ethan Allen ad his Vermont Green Mosntain Boys seized Fort Ticonderoga fom is tiny Bish garrison, Almost a year a in March 1776, cannon dragged chrovgh the snow from Ticonderoga would persuade the British to evacuate Boston Second Continental Congress When the Second Continental Congress asembled in May, ic faced unprecedented challenges the colonies wee in scbellon and engaged in a war with the greatest mar tine empire in the wold, Ax word of Lexington and Concord spread, British authoiy in the colonies rapidly collapsed. Colonial leglaures assumed local power, but the Second Continental Congress would have to guide the und destinies ofthe colonies in the coming conic.104 > stePa.r hoe i ‘Congress acted with decisiveness. Ie created the Continental Army and appointed the experienced soldier George Washingron of Virgina ies commander. Congress created 2 committee rg policy ic alo began issuing paper money Finance the war. Even as fe prepared for military operations, Congress made a last effort at peace | Congress sent the “Olive Branch Peticion” ro George Il, asking the king wo mediate a happy and permanent reconciliation” to the conflict between the colonies and the British | government. George II was in no mood wo offer concessions to che Ameticans. He and his government were determined to quell the rebellion in the colonies by force. British zen paca! moderates inthe colonics to consider the posible of | Thomas Paine’s Common Sense Although Thomas Paine had only emigrated to America from England in 1774, he warmly | embraced the cause of the colonists, In January 1775, he published Common Sense, one of the most influential political works in American history. Paine's pamphlet stuck a nerve and sold phenomenally. Within three months, ver 100,000 copes were printed, and by the end ofthe Revo ‘vith population of round two milion, Paine managed tionary War, some 500,000 copes had been distributed in a county reach amos everyone who was Paine wanted the colonies to septate themlves from Grea Britain. He argued that the clonis would prosper once free from the poleal and economic shackles imposed by the Bish. He attacked the institution ofthe monarchy, to which many Americans were sill atached. He declared that "monarchy and hereditary succession have lid the workd in blood and ashes” Paine Goneman Sene played an important role in persuading many Americans ofthe necessity of independence. The Loyalist minority recognized the power fof Paine's pamphlet; one New Yorker observed chat “the unthinking meliude are mad Declaration of Independence (On June 7,176, Richard Hency Le of Virginia placed a motion before Congtess tha these United Colones are, and of right ought wo be, fice and independent Stats Leva called fr C ges to considera govenmmenal framework through which the could ad mtinental issues. While che congressional delegates discussed independence mimunicaied with che leilrures inthe including Benjamin Franklin, John Adame, and Thomas Jefleson was appoimed to drafea declaration of independence. T 2 fist draft Jeffeon had reputation of ing gifted writer, ad he was wel ad in the ‘srkings ofthe great poicl philosophers ofthe Ealightenmen Jeffersons ext evoke the natural righ stain unalienable rights” and “thac among these reife, liber, and the pursuit of hap pines.” Jeffrsa also echoed Locke in argu five ofthese ends ice the right ofthe people to alter or abolish i” Jefferson embraced thar commictce gave Thomas Jefferson the tsk of producing of John Locke, asserting that men have ec.” Th bal powers from the consent ofthe gover along list oftheAmerican Revolution and the New Nation (1775-1787) < 105 wrongs tha the colonics had affered a the hands ofthe itis, Jefferson atrbuted these 1 George Il rather ehan Parliament, accentuating a rrannical view of Beis rule, Afr some changes arte hands of the committe and in Congress the Decaration of Independ- nce was debated on July 1. The nextday, july 2, Congtess voted for independence Tis decision was announced on July 4 Reactions to Independence The Declaration of Independence was greced with celebrations throughout the newly mined sates. While supportes of independence were in the ascendency and controlled the tate goverment, | country. Although sometimes carcatured as wealthy grandecs with close economic and poli tes to the British colonial administation, Layali infact came from all eco omic strata. Many valued che economic and cultural connections to Great Britains others doubted the leg all Americans wanted to tenounce cei allegiance othe mother ity and good seneof challenging Great Brain's power. Many Afican Americans greet the Declaration of Independence with hope. The strong affirmation of natural rights in the document seme to challenge the instttion of slavery. (ln fac, Jefferson had blamed American slavery on the Brcsh inhi ise df thie section ofthe tee was removed by Congress) Inthe short rn, independence would ‘ot lead to cmascipation for slaves. Some dave fed to the British, and afew were recruited into special “Ethiopian” unis fighting wich the British Army. Some sive in the northern states won ther fisedom by serving in the mila or the Continental Army. Fee blacks sw the ideals ofthe American Revolution s supporting their attemprs to claim ther righ ae ‘Native Americans saw nothing for themselves in the Declaration of Independence or a fre United States While some Native Americans fought with the Americans, mos sup- ported the British because they feared the land hunger ofthe new nation, Balance of Forces Great Bian possessed an overwling military advantage over the Navy controlled the seas, The British Army was highly regarded professional force. The le Bish supplemented their Redcoat Regulars with thousands of German oops, known collectively 2s Hessians. The Besh could also rely onthe services of American Loyalists, ‘many of whom joined the British army oe formed their own military unis. In contrasts the nic. The British ie Americans had na navy a the outset ofthe war. The Continenal Army was poorly paid . anid supplied by Congress andthe stats ic had to address an inal lack of dicptine ad a traning while engaging inmalieary operations agains the Brith. The Continental Army ie ves supported inthe field by units of inexperienced militamen who often proved unreli ale under fie Despite thei miliary superiorcy, che British faced serious problems in combatting the a American rebellion. British forces were along way from home, atthe end of a supply line that suerched acros the Atlantic Ocean. Because i could take months to sil Back and fowth berween America and Gree Briain, i was very difical for British commanders 10 ‘communicate with the government in London. America was a vast place, much ofc wil STEP4 Review the Knowledge You Need to Score High no capital or dc pone a which cape would force an American surender Bris cris woul march through the Amerea coun hoping ace bate thar would the war; sometimes they would noe ein (On the other bund, the Americans were fighting on their home ground. George ‘Washington proved o bean able sates, who relied thatthe United States would win the warific imply avoided defeat as ares, he made the survival of his army a por. snaking ic allying point for American resistance. American spits wee ied cary in the wat wen in June 1775, American miltiamen fought the British a Bunker ll ouside Bowoo, The Americans were Raced fom heir postin, burbefore his happened, chy shot down sos 1,000 Bish solders. This gave the impression that American ckizen okies could eal deen Bish Regulars, However, subsequent experience would demonstrate | thar this was not the ease. The War in the North The Brish were forced out of Boston in March 1776, when cannon dragged from For Ticonderoga thretened their shipe in Boston Harbor. The British retreated o Half, [Nova Scotia, to regroup. At the end of June, che Bish general Wiliam Howe arived at New York Ciy with a massively reinforced army. That summer, Howe defeated ‘Washington's army and maneuvered ic out of New York chasing the Americans across [New Jersey into Pennsylvania, "That winter, che prospects for the American cause seemed bleak. Washington's army sulfered from low morale and was dwindling duc to desertions and expiring enlistments ‘Washington recreved the swation with a brillant counterstroke. On the evening of December 25, he led hit men acros the Delaware River, surprising and capturing the Hesian gatiton of Trenton, New Jercy. A few days late, Washington defeated a Bish | dderachment at Princeton. As a real, the British hastily evacuated their ouposts in [New Jersey, surrendering much ofthe gains oftheir summer campaign. Washington had revered the momentum of the war and given American morale a much needed boos. The Saratoga Campaign The fighting of 1776 resulted in fale for the Bish. The fllowing yea, chy arempred to cripple the rebellion with an ambitious strategy of cutting the colonics in to. Bish forces fom Canada, New York City, and the Great Lakes would dive wowand Albany New York, and the Hudson River Wich the Hudson River Valley under fem British contol, the New England colonies would be divided from the colonies to the south With differen sections ofthe country isolated, che British belived that they could & the rebellion. Unfortunately for che British, diffcules in communication and the ambitions of gen eral upset the plan before i began. Instead of marching up the Hudson River to Albany General Howe in New York City instead se sal for Philadephia, hoping wo capeure the American capital and destroy Washington's army. Howe defeated Washington and cap tured Philadelphia, but as Washington demonstrated with an ata on Bish forces in the Piladlphis suburb of Germantown, his army was anything bur destroyed. Howe's Philadephia gambit not only fale to achieve any decisive resus, bu ic deprived General Joh Burgoyne'army advancing coward Albany from Canada of A suppress pera ecded spore‘American Revolution and the New Nation (1775-1787) ¢ 107 Burgoyne army bogged down inthe New York wilderness and was surrounded a Sarsoga by hardlighting American forces. Burgoyne surrendered on October 17, This defet was disastrous forthe British, Not only was an entte British amy eliminated, but the American victory at Saratoga convinced the French to declare war on ‘Grea Britain in 1778. Until thi point, the French had been assisting che Americans only with covert shipment of arms and military supplies. The French di this ne because of ny love forthe Americans or thee principe, but because chy waned to weaken thei long time enenny, Great Bian, Saratoga convinced the French goverment thatthe Americans ‘ould win snd thatthe Brith were vulnerable. French intervention changed the nature fof the war, which now became an international confit with French and Bris forces lashing around the world. Later, the Spanish and Dutch would join the fight against Grea Brain. French naval and military support would prose crucial forthe Americans in the final campaign ofehe ‘While American men served in militias or Continental Army, American women also played a vil role in sustaining the war effort. They ran farms and businescs while men ‘were away and provided many needed services forthe Army. Some women hoped that ‘evolutionary ideals would lead to an improvement inthis legal stats. In March 1776, Abigail Adam urged her husband, John Adame, 0 "Remember the ladies... Do not put such unlimited power in che hands of the husbands The War in the South Facing a new war after Saratoga and the American alliance with France, che British reas: sewed their strategy. A new Brsh commander, General Henry Clinton, abandoned Philadelphia and marched overland so New York City. Along the way he encountered Washington's Continental Army. Duting the winter of 1777-1778, Washington's men suffered ersbly from cold and famine at Valley Forge. Washington supported the effors ‘of German officer, Baron von Steuben, to improve the taining of his troops Steuben’ labors paid off when Washington's and Clintons armies faced each other atthe Batde of Monmouth in June 1778. Although Clinton was able to continue his reteat to New York, \Wathingrn's Continental troops more than held cei own in very hand Fighting, The Bish now decided to focus thee increasingly etched military resources on the south, which they believed ro bea hotbed of colonists with Loyalist sympathies. Inia, all went well forthe Brits. They revecupicd Georgia, and Clinton forced che surrender of (Charleston and a garrison of 5000 men in May 1780. After General Charles Cornwallis defeated the remaining American army inthe south afew months later, i appeared that the British southern strategy had succeeded. Si et eo eee cere tally what was left ofthe Continental ores, Although he never won a batt, Grene waged a brilliane campaign that left British forces in the Carolinas confined toa few cies and outposts, After winning a ody ate with Greene, General Cornwallis marched his battered Redeoats into Viegnia to rest and resupply. He stationed his army ae Yorktown, Learning ofthis, Washington marched his army and force of French troops ed by the Comte de Rochambeau, south. The Brsh hoped o evacuate Cornwall's army by ea, but a French feet, under the Comte de Gras, strived in Chesapeake Bay before them. On September 5,178, the French fect eld off the British atthe Bartle of the Virginia Capes. This lee Cornwallis rapped. Lae in September, Washington began a formal see of Yorktown, n sent General Nathanael Greene south 10108 > STEP 4 Review the Knowledge You Need! re High His situation hopeless, Cornwallis surrendered on October 19. Yorktown was the lst major battle of the war; with another army capruted the Bish clined that they ha lst ‘America. The Treaty of Paris Peace negotiations began in Pais in 1782. Benjamin Franklin, Joba Adams, and John Jy represented the United States in these als. Negoriations were protracted because fighting ‘var ail going on between the Brith and the French and thei ales. Finally che American ‘dekgaton signed a weary withthe Bish on September 3, 1783. In the Treaty of Pais, Gret Britain recognized the independence of the Unicad States. The British retained Canada but ceded tothe United States che lands beeween the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River Fr the new nation, the western bound: ary ofthe Mississippi River in pare reflected the wartime vicoies of George Rogers Clark in the Ohio River Valley. The Americans won lcratve fishing rights off Newloundland and Noa Sci, while promising the Brith chat prewar debts to British merchants would be paid and that Loyalists would have confiscated property returned New State Constitutions and the Articles of Confederation Independence meant that od colonial charters ad to be replaced by new sate consi tions. Ten states had drawn up new constitutions by the end of 1777. These documents reflected a suspicion of executive power borne ofthe yeas of seraggle with Great Bein, to most governors wee given limited author. All ates but Pennsylvania and Vermont insted bicameral legislatures, Many ser cosured the Feedoms of thee citizens with bills of rights. Most sates broadened their electorates by lowering the property quali “The Continental Congress completed work on 2 constitution for 2 limited national ‘gvernment by the fill of 1777 The Articles of Confederation were sent to the state legis Iitures for ratification, As with the state constitution, thls constitution forthe new nation svat a reictonagainet the overly powerful goverment the Americans had rebelled agains “The Articles of Confederation created a very weak continental government The centerpiece ofthe new government was 2 unicameral legislature in which ech stare would have one vote. Limited executive authority was vested In a Commiece of Thirtcen in which ech state would hae a representative. There was no national judi Ta ratty the Articles of Confederation or to amend them all 13 wate legislatures would have to vote afrmatively This held up caiicaion for alm four years. Beene of pares over western ands, Maryland did nor ratify the Articles of Confederation wail 178 Finally allowing the new form of government to take hold. ‘Asa governmental framework designed o void governmental syrnny. the Artes of Confederation gave Congres few power. The national goverament could cary on foreign relations, manage the westem teritories and make treaties with Naive Americans. The rational goverment could not regulate trade or interstate commerce or impose taxes it ‘remained Rnancally dependent upon financial contributions from the satald is 8 Ben The the New Nation (1775-1 Financial Problems Dating the Revolution, Congress never found a way to effectively finance the war efor The government resorted to iesing large amounts of unsecured paper money. Rampant inflaton soon ate away the value of these soled “Continentals” Because of nan ial embarassment, Congress never paid many soldiers who had served in the Continental Army Only lans from France and other European counties kepe the government opera ing, Conditions di not improve fr the government after the war it had many debts and ro way tralse enough money to pay them. Efforts to place tariffs on imports filled to get 2 unanimous vote in Congress. The nations Financial woes were multiplied by a postwar ‘conomic depression, Northwest Ordinances The government did have one potential source of income open toi, the sale of western lands. Sets were pouring into the territories west of the Appalachian Mountains. By 1790, 110,000 Americans had moved into Kentucky and Tennesce. The Northwest Ordinances of 1784, 1785, and 1787 eablshed regulations for these of land and ter ‘toil organization of the Northwest Tertitory, which would become the foundation for the governments policy tard all weters lands that fe aequired inthe Future “The 1784 Ordinance determined that the western tetcores would be onganived at new stats The Land Ordinance of 1785 eablshed a system for selling western lands and also ensured tha a section of land in every township would be reserved for the support ‘of public education. The Ordinance of 1787 ceded all tate claims to western ands tothe national government created the Norchwest Tertiary, jurisdiction expected to eventually he divided ino three to ive states; and established procedure fora testry to apy for statehood, The Ordinance prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory, making the Ohio Rivera dividing line berween eventual dave and fice tates. Taken together, the Northwest (Ordinances were the most consequent legislation passed during the period ofthe Articles of Confederation Shays’ Rebellion Farmers in western Masachusets had sled in the bad economic times that llowed the Revoltion. Many suffered from heavy loads of debe and the scarcity of ard cur rency that creditors demanded. Adding to thee burdens were heavy taxes imposed by the Massachusetts legate. In 1786, groupe of protesters began to fnciby stop foeclonures fon bankrupe farms and dissupe coure proceedings. The rebellion was named for Daniel Shays, a veteran of the Continental Army who had experienced the financial hardships that drove che uprising Acone pong, it cemed as if frce led by Shays might seize the unguanled national armory a Springfield. However, a force of privately funded militia dispersed the rebels. A, timely decreate in eaxcs helped pacify the situation. The most important result was that Shays Rebellion highlighted for many people the necd fra stronger central government in the Unied Sets,10> STEP4 Review Chapter Review Rapid Review To achive the pesfet 5, you should be able to explain he fllowing +The ise armed resistance to the British army occured at Lexington and Concord began to prepare the American colonies for wa but by pasing the Olive Branch Pevion, they tied wo accommodate colonial interests with hoe of the Crown * The Second Continental Cong 1 Common See by Thomas Pine was widespread > Many Loyalis lived in the colonics a the outbreak ofthe Revolutionary Wars many + Blacks and women played large roles inthe war effort of che colonies, The defensive tacts of George Washington as leader of the Continental forces proved he Bish ary vod invaluable the French navy Aeckive, since a longer war was disadvantageous t proved to be expecially crcl asthe wa progressed + The Treaty of Pass ended the Revolutionary Wat In this teaty, American independence vas recognized by the British and large amounts of territory wes of che Appalachians became Am + The Aviles replicating the “tyranny” ofthe Crown in Enghind To many colonial observers, Shays Rebellion deme f Confederation 4 weal national government, paraly to void ocd theta soonger naicasl tgnernment was needed. Time Line 1775: Batls of Lexington and Concord Meeting of Second Continental Congres 5 Common Sens plied by Tots Pate rt al Burgoyne at Saratoga mer colonics Declaration of Independence appro 1777 State constieutions waite in 10 f "Continental army encamped forthe winter at Valley Forge French bein o ait American war efforts 1781; Cornwall surenders a Yorktown Arcs of Confederation ratified 1783: Signing of the Treaty of Pars 16-1787: Shays’ Rebellion in Massachusetts 87; Nosthwest Ordinance establishes regulations for sement of ertoies west ‘ofthe Appalachian Mouiains‘American Revoltion and the New Nation (1775-1787) ¢ 111 > Review Questions Multiple-Choice Questions The purpose ofthe Olive Branch Petition was to A. aly colonial support for wat. Briain B. petition the king for rdres of economic fevancessufleed by the colonies. . tk che king to cafe solution co end the tensions between Grext Britain and the D. ak che king to gra independence tothe colonies nse Great Ac the beginning ofthe Revolutionary War, the Bevis were extremely confident of vc becaute all ofthe following reasons except [A they had oustanding general har would be ‘commanding Brith forces inthe Americas B. there were many Loyalist throughout the American colonies C. the Continental army suffered frm poor dicplne D. the British had an oustanding nary All ofthe following were coneained in the Treaty of Paris of 1783 exepe A territory west of the Appalachian Mouneain was ceded t che Americans. B. American independence was recognized by Great Bia, C. Quebec and the area immediatly sur rounding ie was ceded to che Americas D. former Loyalists in the colonies could retrieve property scized from them dusing he Revolutionary Wat. 4. Women were important in the war effort recat they A. provided mach of the fnancal backing for the colonial cate, wrote ileal aries in clonal nw es urging che eoonis ro esis the Beh C. provided clothing and blankets forthe frozen oops at Valley Forge . maintained economic ability inthe colonies by managing households across the colonies while men were of Fighting the British 5. The weakness ofthe national government created by the Articles of Confederation wt demonstrated bythe fact tha it was net given the power to ‘A. mediate disputes between sate. B.rsse an ary. . coeds foreign relations. D. pine money Short-Answer Question 6. Answer Parts A,B, and C A. Briefly expain ONE season for American victory in the Revolutionary War. B. Briefly explain a SECOND reason for American victory in the Revolutionary Wie C. Briefly explain ONE advantage chat the Bris enjoyed in the Revolutionary Wa.12> STEP4. Review the Knowledge You Nec > Answers and Explanations 1G. Although the Second Contin Congress began to prepare the aginst Great Britain, the delegates also voted to end thls pein ro George IL, asking him Skillful military commanders ike George to create harmony between Great Britain and ‘Wathingoon and Nethanael Greene. Despite the colonies many hardships, thousinds of Americans war. The United States brought forward a Meee aa served bravely in the Continental Army and eT gee ee mils, Thanks vo the taining efforts of men like the Baron von Steuben, che Continental proved early om o be quite ordinary in acid Army eventually became capable of meeting nt oe es the Betis army on equal terms. The United 3 C. None ofthe Bris cersitry in Canad States. ‘was taken fom them asa rel ofthe 4. D, Although women assisted the war many ways chey made an important policy bringing France ito the wat in 1778. Spain and the Netherlands alo joined in che war ‘apainse Great Britain, French naval and mil hares the decisive virory at Yoraown in 178 fore in tion by managing estates and farms while cir helped George Washington win oil mike | or in the Continental army Part C: The Bris enjoyed the advantage of husbands were serving inthe ane possessing large professional military. To Se eae Supplement these forces, che Bris were able | bear se to hte the services of thousands of German. | a troops, known collectively as Hessians | 6, Parts Aand B: America was avery big place The Bish were able to rally many Naive | much ofc wildercs, with few roads and American tiesto their sid. They wee alo major cites. This made edifice for Brish able wo count on the loyalty of about a fith of Americans. The United States under the seeved in British military units. The royal navy Second Continental Congress and thes the oF ths Udich in coeicomar ede Aides of Confeder