American History: War for Independence

War for Independence

• The Second Continental Congress gradually took on the powers of an independent government, delaying the formal declaration of independence for over a year.
• Initially, blame for the growing tensions was directed at Parliament and the king's ministers, not King George III himself.
• Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense," published in January 1776, called explicitly for independence and significantly influenced public opinion in favor of breaking away from Britain.
• By mid-1776, colonial legislatures were replaced by new state governments supporting independence due to the pamphlet's impact.

The Declaration of Independence

• A committee led by Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in June 1776.
• Significant alterations were made, including the removal of Jefferson's critique of slavery, leading to the contradiction of the phrase “all men are created equal.”
• The Declaration outlined grievances against George III, emphasizing Enlightenment ideas of natural rights and the government's responsibility to protect those rights.

Fighting the War

• The war's main theaters transitioned from New England to middle and southern states over its duration.
• After the British shifted military headquarters to New York City, George Washington faced setbacks but later achieved significant victories at Trenton (Christmas 1776) and Princeton (January 1777).
• The Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 was decisive, convincing France to ally with the Americans against Britain.

Diplomacy During the War

• The support of other nations, particularly France, was crucial for American success in the war.
• Revolutionary conventions wrote new state constitutions, generally creating strong legislatures with weak executive authority, reflecting fears of centralized power.
• Most state constitutions included a bill of rights to safeguard individual liberties, yet voting rights remained limited to property-owning white men.

The Articles of Confederation

• The Articles of Confederation were adopted in November 1777 and ratified by March 1781, creating the first national government with a unicameral legislature.
• Major weaknesses included the inability to tax states or regulate commerce, relying on requisitions for troops, and requiring unanimous consent for amendments.
• Important powers included declaring war, managing foreign policy, and overseeing western territories.

Finance and Shays's Rebellion

• By war's end, the U.S. incurred a debt of $160 million, leading to rampant inflation due to excessive printing of paper money.
• Economic distress culminated in Shays's Rebellion, where farmers protested against high taxes and foreclosures, leading Massachusetts to reform tax laws.

Achievements of the Confederation Congress

• Despite its limitations, Congress successfully organized western lands through the Ordinance of 1785, establishing a system for surveying and distributing land.
• The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 facilitated the admission process for new states and promised respect for Native American lands, though treaties were often negotiated unfairly.

Frontier and Foreign Policy Problems

• The Northwest Ordinance promised not to take Native American lands without consent, but numerous treaties disregarded this commitment.
• Tension and conflict in the Ohio River frontier involved several Native American tribes, exacerbated by Spanish influence in the southeast following their territorial gains post-Seven Years' War.
• The inability of the Confederation Congress to manage these frontier issues spurred demands for a stronger national government.

This quiz explores crucial events leading to the American War for Independence, including the role of the Second Continental Congress and the influence of Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense'. It also covers the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and its significant alterations by Thomas Jefferson. Test your knowledge on these pivotal moments in American history.