Revolution (1775): Bunker Hill & Olive Branch

End of Revolution (1775)

• The Second Continental Congress convened, aiming for expanded rights within the British system.
• The Continental Army was formed, led by the experienced General George Washington, but was poorly trained and inexperienced.
• The Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed's Hill): Colonial forces fortified Breed's Hill to threaten British-occupied Boston and despite a British victory after three assaults, the Colonials boosted morale.
• British Commander General Howe experienced significant officer casualties at Bunker Hill.
• Colonials questioned whether their actions constituted patriotism or terrorism, using boycotts, protests, and committees of correspondence as forms of Colonial resistance.
• The Olive Branch Petition proposed continued British allegiance in exchange for colonial demands being met, while militias prepared for potential war.
• Colonial war strategy centered on a defensive approach, focusing on holding the Hudson River and avoiding decisive battles.
• Colonial ships were built like old British privateers, because the British navy had superior ships.
• The Declaration of Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, penned by Thomas Jefferson, declared the Colonials' intent to fight for their rights and portrayed the British as aggressors.
• The Revolution garnered minority support, because many colonists, especially the wealthy, preferred compromise over war.
• Patriot support was between 30-35% of the population, Loyalist support was at 15-20%, and the rest remained neutral.
• The Invasion of Canada resulted in a colonial defeat and the death of General Richard Montgomery.

1776

• Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" pamphlet advocated revolution through accessible language.
• Paine's "Common Sense" significantly bolstered support for armed rebellion.
• Siege on Boston/Dorchester Heights: Colonial forces strategically positioned themselves, leading to British evacuation on March 17.
• Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed a resolution of independence to the Pennsylvania House of Burgesses
• The Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson with input from Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and John Adams, served as a birth certificate for the new nation and a death warrant for British rule.
• Using John Locke's social contract theory, Colonists argued for the right to rebel against a government that failed to protect their rights.
• Phase one of the war took place in New England.
• A British invasion took place in NYC, where 35,000 British and Hessian troops attacked Long Island from Nova Scotia, Washington had 18,000 troops.
• The Colonial army was trapped on Long Island until fog appeared and they escaped on the east river to Manhattan.
• Paine's "The Crisis" encouraged perseverance after Washington wrote to his brother about wanting to quit.
• Colonial reinforcements arrived, and a victory was needed before winter.

1776-1777

• The Battles of Trenton (December 25) and Princeton (January 3) saw Washington's forces capture Hessian and British troops.
• The Battle of Trenton and Princeton saved the revolution.
• The Articles of Confederation established a national government with limited powers, reflecting fears of centralized authority and tyranny.
• The Articles of Confederation created a Congress where each state had one delegate and vote, and could form an army, declare war, make treaties, coin money, and establish post offices.
• The Articles of Confederation had no executive or judicial branch.
• The Articles of Confederation could not collect taxes.
• Financing the war involved selling bonds, printing continentals, and experiencing inflation.
• Weaponry had to smuggled in because colonials didn't have any/enough.
• Black markets emerged with exorbitant prices due to scarcity and illegal trading.
• Robert Morris, owner of a major American trade company, gathered intelligence on the British and contributed significantly to the colonial war effort.
• Morris was charged with war profiteering, which he never recovered from.
• Chaim Solomon, a Jew, donated to the war effort and helped build a synagogue.
• The Battle of Saratoga proved a turning point in the war due to the leadership of Gates and Arnold.

Saratoga Turning Point

• The British planned to divide the colonies.
• St Leger was moving from the west, John Burgoyne from the north, and Howe from the south.
• Arnold defeated St Leger.
• Howe chased George Washington in Philly instead.
• Arnold helped lead to victory and was injured, ending his career.
• Gates was named hero, where colonials capture 5000 troops.
• British forces under Howe captured Philadelphia, prompting the Continental Congress to flee.
• France provided covert aid which later became direct aid to the colonials.
• Benjamin Franklin's diplomatic efforts in France yielded crucial financial and military support after the battle of Saratoga.

1778

• The Franco-American Treaty formalized French assistance with money, military support, equipment, and generals and was critical to American independence.
• Valley Forge served as the winter camp which had shortages and terrible conditions, resulting in many deaths.
• Prussian General Von Steuben trained the Continental Army, improving its discipline and effectiveness.
• John Paul Jones launched attacks on England, causing public fear.
• The French navy helped privateers.
• George Rogers Clark played a key role in seizing British forts along the Ohio River.
• The Western battles involved frequent clashes between colonists, natives, and British forces.
• Chief Joseph Brant and the Iroquois Confederacy divided their allegiance, weakening their alliance.
• Lord Dunmore's Proclamation offered freedom to enslaved Virginians who served in the British military, leading to the formation of the Ethiopian Regiment.
• Black soldiers fought on both sides as Patriots and Loyalists, with Black Patriots contributing to the Yorktown victory.
• Benedict Arnold turned traitor due to selfishness, and conspired to destroy West Point.
• Arnold communicated with British Commander Clinton and became a British brigadier general.

1778-1779

• The British shifted strategy to move the war south because the south was important to their financial situation.
• Loyalists in the South aided the British military.
• Many American vessels were destroyed in the Chesapeake during economic warfare
• The British advanced and captured Savannah and Charleston.
• Colonel Tarleton cruelly treated captured colonial troops.

1780

• Patriot forces defeated Loyalist troops at Kings Mountain, North Carolina, using guerilla tactics, which marked a significant victory.

1781

• Commander Greene led a successful campaign with locals at Cowpens.
• Commander Cornwallis camped on York River.
• GW attacked and troops surround the troops
• A three week siege began against the Chesapeake and the French beats British flee.
• Cornwallis goes all the way up to james river.
• Cornwallis then came back down to settle at the york river.
• Cornwallis couldn’t surrender in person during the River Surrender Drama because GW sent his second in command to meet with their second in command.

Treaty of Paris (1782-1783)

• John Jay argued that foreign policy should be guided by national interest, leading America to negotiate a separate peace with Britain without France and Spain.
• America gained all it asked for, which was suspicious of Britain.

Focus Areas

• It is important to focus on Key events and chronology of American Revolution.
• The role of slaves is important.
• The impact of foreign support.
• The meaning/impact of revolution is important.
• The articles of confederation said 'are' not 'is'.
• Citizens hated a central nation and the states can lose all their power.

Challenges Facing New Nation Under the Confederation

• The states lacked unity due to their differences and limited infrastructure.
• The Articles of Confederation created a loose association of states with limited federal power and no taxing authority.
• The Western land charters had boundaries problems.
• Larger states wanted more land west to sell.
• National government didn’t have any money to pay veterans
• Jefferson proposed making western land to make new states.
• This would provide land for veterans instead of money.
• States ceded western lands to Congress.
• Public Domain: Congress sold this land for revenue
• The Western land ended up becoming the northwest territory.

Northwest Territory

• It borders north of the ohio river to the west of the mississippi.
• Land Ordinance of 1785: Townships were 36 sections (6 square miles), sections were 640 acres (1 square mile), and sold for $1 per acre
• Land Speculators bought then resold.
• The Revenue from a township would be used for a school in #16
• There were four veterans presidents which were in #8, 11, 26, 29
• Once the territory reached 5,000 adult males, they could have territorial legislature and non voting delegate to congress
• Once the territory reached 60,000 adult males they can right a state constitution.
• Voting (50 acres), trial by jury, public education, freedom of religion, no slavery or indentured servitude.
• Sets a precedent on how the US would be governed.
• British forts remained in America, ignored U.S. requests to leave.
• Spain contested Spanish forts areas and refused American use of the New Orleans port.
• Right of Deposit: transferring ships from sea to rivers where Spain charged a tax for each swap.
• The national government had no tax authority.
• America had no allies.
• There was inflation.
• Chart about the articles needs review.
• The Annapolis Convention had Delegates to set up a meetin g in Philadelphia to make changes to Articles.
• Western Massachusetts was hit terribly by economic depression.
• The rich lived in the Urban (city) and the poor lived in Rural (farms).
• Massachusetts imposed a property tax.
• Farmers didn’t pay the tax so they were kicked off their land.
• Shay’s Rebellion: Daniel Shays led armed rebellion that the federal government could not stop.
• Philadelphia Convention - the purpose of this event was to revise the articles.
• George Washington was in charge of the Philadelphia Convention in Independence Hall.
• The event had Ben Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Robert Morris.
• Jefferson, John Adams, Patrick Henry and Sam Adams couldn't attend.
• The Convention was to be held in secrecy and kept secret so nothing can leave.
• Edmund Randolph proposed a new plan of government in 15 resolutions.
• Article 1 is legislative.
• Article 2 is executive
• Article 3 is Judicial
• Article 4 is relations among the states
• Article 5 is process of amending the constitution
• Article 6 is power of national government
• Article 7 is ratifying the constitution
• There are 3 branches of government which divides the power.
• There was the Great Compromise: Senate (equal) and House (per population).
• 3/5s Compromise: slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for population and taxable property.
• Congress has the power to regulate commerce.
• Slave trade was dealt with: Slave trade for could continue for 20 years.
• The Election of President had the electoral college come to be.
• There was a creation of 4 year terms.
• Ratification would be done at a ratifying convention.
• Having 9 states made it law.

Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist

• Federalists advocated for a strong national government and elite leadership
• Anti-Federalists advocated for states' rights.
• Federalists wanted a strong national government and believed elites should serve.
• Federalists feared too much democracy because power will be abused in states.
• Key Federalists: Madison, Hamilton, and Jay.
• Anti-Federalists believed government should be the people.
• Anti-Federalists wanted the states to hold the power.
• Anti-Federalists wanted a bill of rights.
• Key Anti-Federalists: Henry, Adams, Mason, and Lee.
• Publius vs. Brutus: Publius is federalists and Brutus is anti.
• James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers to explain their thoughts in the public.
• Tension surrounded ratification across individual states.
• September 17, 1787: Constitution date.
• Delaware was be the first state to vote.
• June 21, 1788: New Hampshire secured the constitution.
• "E Pluribus Unum": Out of many, one.