Chapter 2: The Revolutionary Era (1776-1789) - Detailed Notes

Causes of the American Revolution

● Taxation without Representation: Following the French and Indian War,
Britain imposed a series of taxes (e.g., Stamp Act, Townshend Acts) on
the colonies, which were met with resistance and the rallying cry of "no
taxation without representation."
● Ideas of the Enlightenment: The influence of Enlightenment thinkers
like John Locke, who advocated for natural rights and government by
consent, fueled revolutionary sentiments.
● Boston Massacre (1770) and Boston Tea Party (1773): Key events that
escalated tensions between colonists and the British government.

Key Battles and Military Campaigns

● Lexington and Concord (April 1775): The first battles of the
Revolutionary War.
● Bunker Hill (June 1775): Demonstrated that the colonial militia could
stand up to the British army.
● Saratoga (October 1777): A turning point that led to French support for
the American cause.
● Yorktown (October 1781): The final major battle of the war, leading to
British surrender.

Declaration of Independence
● Drafting and Adoption (July 4, 1776): Primarily written by Thomas
Jefferson, it declared the thirteen American colonies independent from
Britain, justifying the break by listing grievances against King George III
and articulating the principles of individual liberty and government by
consent.
● Impact and Legacy: The Declaration became a symbol of freedom and
human rights, influencing subsequent revolutions and movements.
Role of International Powers: France, Spain
● France: Joined the war in 1778 after the Battle of Saratoga, providing
crucial military assistance, funding, and naval support to the American
cause.
● Spain: Although not officially allied with the American colonies, Spain
declared war on Britain in 1779 and captured British posts in the Gulf of
Mexico and Mississippi Valley.

The Articles of Confederation

● Adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781, they served as the first
constitution of the United States, creating a loose confederation of
states with a weak central government.
● Weaknesses: Lack of executive branch, inability to levy taxes or
regulate commerce, requirement for unanimous agreement for
amendments.
● Impact: Highlighted the need for a stronger federal government, leading
to the Constitutional Convention.

Constitutional Convention
● Held in Philadelphia in 1787, it was originally intended to revise the
Articles of Confederation but resulted in the drafting of a new
Constitution.
● Key Debates: Representation in Congress (Great Compromise), the role
of the federal government, slavery (Three-Fifths Compromise).
● Notable Figures: George Washington, James Madison, Alexander
Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin.

Ratification Debates and The Federalist Papers

● Ratification of the Constitution by the states was not assured and led
to intense debates.
 ● Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: Federalists supported a strong central
government, while Anti-Federalists were concerned about the potential
for tyranny and the lack of a bill of rights.
● The Federalist Papers: A series of 85 essays written by Hamilton,
Madison, and Jay under the pseudonym "Publius," arguing for
ratification of the Constitution.

Key Figures
● George Washington: Commander of the Continental Army, presided
over the Constitutional Convention.
● Thomas Jefferson: Principal author of the Declaration of
Independence.
● John Adams: Diplomat and advocate for independence, later the
second President of the United States.

Important Documents and Concepts

● Declaration of Independence (1776)
● Articles of Confederation (1777)
● United States Constitution (1787)
● The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)

Further Reading and Resources

● "1776" by David McCullough
● "The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution" by Bernard Bailyn
● Online resources: Primary documents, including letters, diaries, and
contemporary newspapers from the period.
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