Chapter 7 The War For Independence

Thomas Starr-Timberlake
Notes:

Introduction
Britain had best-equipped, most-disciplined army, very powerful navy
Native officer corps, decent war experience made Patriots Formidable
Initially Britain believed in regained control via single military victory
Strategy failed due to American geography
Patriots had advantage, fought on own land, had popular support

The Patriot forces
Forces included:
350,000 eligible men
Over 200,000 saw action
No more than 25,000 fought at a time
Over 100,000 served under George Washington in
continental army
Rest served in militia groups
Militias played large role in defending area, but didnt win alone
Militias faced little discipline, short enlistment terms, and desertion
War victory mostly came from continental army
Washington wanted forces to directly engage British
Congress initially refused to invoke mandates for >1year
Feared standing army
Enlistment term raised by congress after initial battle defeats to 3years
Congress promised bounties, wages, and free land for victory
Discipline important due to hand-on-hand combat
At the end of the war:
25,324 Americans died
6800 from battle wounds
8000 from disease
Rest as POW and MIA
Militias and army played political role in making powerful national
sentiment
Food, pay shortages resulted in many mutinies
Patriot controlled most local government during committee
organization 1774, 1775
Women took management of family business while men went to war
Women followed both armies, were prostitutes, wives, cooks,
launderers, nurses
Women Dressed as men and joined Continental Army




Questions/Main Ideas

The Ptrits were plentiful in
people who could fight
consisting mostly of free men
but with some women sneaking
in. The military was not well
diciplined with the exeption of
the continental army, who was
responsible for most of the war
victories. The continental
congress had a hard time with
enlistment as well.
Chapter 7 The War For Independence
Thomas Starr-Timberlake
The Loyalists
500,000 to 1,000,000 Americans remained loyal to British crown
Loyalists often newcomers, officeholders, people dependent on
British slave trade, or minorities
Patriots passed state treason acts, banned speaking out against
revolution
Patriots punished them using Grand Tory Ride or tarring, feathering
Benedict Arnold was hero in early war, became paid informer to
Henry Clinton 1779
Patriots found out, Arnold fled to Britain in 1780
British strategy was mobilizing Loyalists, was successful
50,000 loyalists fought as British during war
During/After War loyalists fled to England, West Indies, or Canada

The Campaign for New York and New Jersey
Winter 1775-76 British made strategy, was to have Sir William Howe
work way up from New York to have army come down from Canada
Washington anticipated and fortified Brooklyn
July 1776 Battle of Long Island resulted in Massive Patriot fail;
British gained New York City
Sep 6, 1776 peace talks with General Howe resulted in Britain
wanting to repeal Declaration of Independence
British Invaded Manhattan, Stand at Harlem Heights prevented
destruction of many Patriots
British had more victories, Pushed Washington back at White Plains,
overran Fort Washington and Lee
Americans fled south across New Jersey in November
Low Morale and people deserting made Washington fear end of
Continental Army and war effort
Christmas 1776 Washington lead 2,400 troops across Delaware for
surprise counterattack defeating high Ranked Soldiers at Trenton
Americans pushed British back, inflicted heavy losses as Princeton
Victories had little strategic importance, made Washington continue
defensive strategy










Questions/Main Ideas
The Loyalists were often
looked down on by the Patriots,
but some people such as
Benedict Arnold had helped the
Patriots before betrating them.
Some Loyalists even fought for
the British as well.

The British wanted New York
in order for the forces to come
down from Canada. The Battles
were intense where the British
mostly won while Patriot
morale was lowering to near 0
until the sneak Attack at
Trenton.
Chapter 7 The War For Independence
Thomas Starr-Timberlake

French Alliance and the Spanish Borderlands
American efforts initially sustained by French and Spanish loans
Ben Franklin was delegate for America, succeeded in negotiating
recognition of independence, French alliance with America, and
multiple loans
Whig opposition against war
French alliance strategy stated:
French to aid America in war
No party can make treaty with Britain without others consent
French guarantees America Northern parts and other
conquests
US promised to recognize French Acquisition of British
islands in West Indies
March 1777 - French ambassador formally notifies Britain of treaty
June 1777 - French, British fights broke out
1778 - Spain entered war
Spanish had separate fight against British fearing American threat
French also feared independent America, attempted to prevent
expansion
Lord North sent peace commissioner to repeal legislation of war 3
years too late
June 1778 - Britain rethought strategy, sent 5,000 troops to Caribbean,
evacuated Philadelphia
American/French forces pushed British to New York
Defeat at Newport resulted in American strategy change to defensive,
effort went to a stall

Indian People and the Revolution in the West
Both side gained Indian support, many tribes stayed passive
British managed to persuade Indians that the best fought with Britain
Indians and British attacked southern and Northern fronts
Americans counterattacked Iroquois homelands

The War and the South
Most intense fighting occurred in South
Occurred due to Slaves and many loyalists joining Britain for freedom
British strategy was to take town and put them under loyalist control
British lost Charleston won against General Horatios force
Sothern resistance ended soon after
Cornwallis moved base to Yorktown instead of Carolinas, Patriots
regained Southern control


Questions/Main Ideas
The French and Spanish ended
up supporting America through
much of the war via weapon
shipments or loans, with the
Frecnh eventually gaining an
alliance with the US to help
physically with the war.

Both sides had their own tribes
fighting for them as well, with
both countries covincing the
tribes that they ere the best.

The South was the most intense
area for battles due to the
slaves joining in on the war,
though the British controlled
the South for much of the war
and stationed themselves into
Yorktown.
Chapter 7 The War For Independence
Thomas Starr-Timberlake


Yorktown
American Forces under Washington
French forces under Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Conte de
Rochambeau
British defeated
October 19 1781 Cornwalliss 2
nd
in command (Cornwallis was ill)
surrenders to George Washington and lines of American and French
troops


Summary:The Revolutionary war was a long and intense war that eventuallt ended as a victory for America and
ended an era on colonization of North America. Colonists from all around the coutry had shown the British that
they are a formidable force as they had competed against the strongest force in the world.
Questions/Main Ideas

Yorktown was the last great
victory for America as it
caused Cornwallis to surrender,
and allowed America to keep
their homeland.
Chapter 7 The United States in Congress Assembled
Thomas Starr-Timberlake
Notes:

Intro
Articles of Confederation first US government
Weak government, little power

The Articles of Confederation
Nov 1777, continental congress adopts articles of confederation
Articles set up congress, one state had one vote and representative,
chosen by state government, could serve no more than 3 years out of 6
President picked by congress yearly, could only serve 1 out of 3 years
All issues decided by majority, major from 9 votes
Congress had authority in
The conduct of foreign affairs
Matter of war and peace
Maintenance of the armed forces
Congress could
Raise loans
Issue bills of credit
Establish coinage
Regulate trade with Indian nations
Be final authority in debates between states
Establish national postal system
Establish weights and measures system.
12 states voted for ratification, was delayed 3 years by Maryland
Demanded that lands with western claims to cede land to congress
States refused offer
Virginia ceded land; Maryland ratified articles
Articles took effect March 1781

Financing the war
Congress borrowed $9 million from allies
Printed $200 million of paper money
Asked state to raise taxes
States refuse, printed $200 state currency
Robert Morries becomes Finance Secretary, creates Bank of North
America







Questions/Main Ideas

The Articles of Confederation
created a unicameral congress
with equal representation by
colony. The congress had little
power and was barely ratified
due to Marylands oppostion.

The War was financed partially
by allied forces and asked
states to raise taxes, but instead
printed hundreds of millions of
dollars in paer money.
Chapter 7 The United States in Congress Assembled
Thomas Starr-Timberlake
Negotiating peace
July 1782 - peace talks between Britain and US Begin in Paris
Congress originally aimed for:
Largest territorial limits, including Canada
Withdrawal of British Troops
Recognition of Independence
Rights to fish in North Atlantic
Congress only settles for middle 2 after French pressure
Negotiations in secret happen to ensure better US Terms
France signed treaty with Britain after fearing alliance
Spain claimed sovereignty over trans-Appalachian territory, gives US
Florida
Treaty of Paris signed at Versailles, many other treaties made in
process

The Crisis of Demobilization
Wartime tensions after war, soldiers worried bout pay and land
promised by congress
Jan 1783 senior officers petition congress for 5-year bonus and
military coup
Washington urges troops to not do coup, but to accept bonus
May 1783, congress pays 3 months bonus; Army disbands

The Problem of The West
British left west for US, abandoning Indian allies
Us believed victorious over natives
US pressed tribes for land including allies
Settlers migrated west, clashed with Indians,
Spain closed off Mississippi, enraging traders
John Jay encouraged British and Spanish withdrawal for territorial
sovereignty
British couldnt due to debt; Spanish insisted no free navigation of
Mississippi, congress refused
Many left confederation for Britain and Spain
Government of Western Territory draft made, area of 20k people
could become state as long as it stayed with confederation
Was rejected due to prohibiting slavery
Land Ordinance of 1785 divided western lands into 36 sq. mile
townships
Land to be auctioned for more than $1 per acre
Congress sold 1.5 mil acres for $1 mil to Ohio Company for desperate
money
Westerners usually illegally settled on land, were forced off in 1785
via troops evicting them
Questions/Main Ideas

Congress made agreements
with Britain in France while the
French feared that the 2 powers
may have allied with each
other. Other countries sign
treaties with Britain as well,
including Spain and France.

The soldiers at war were
peomised lands and bonuses for
victory, but congress couldnt
deliver bonuses due to money
constraints and the army
demobilizes.

The Indians of the west
considered US property, and
the British couldnt withdrawl
due to war debt. Western land
would be divided special
sections of land and organuzed
kaws fir states in the west to be
made.


Chapter 7 The United States in Congress Assembled
Thomas Starr-Timberlake
Squatters returned later, forcing Jefferson to revise plan
Northwest Ordinance of 1787 created government for western
territory
3-5 states to be carved from it
Slavery Prohibited
Congregational court of judges and Governor until 5k free white men
petitioned for assembly
Territory included Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin
Arthur St Clair was areas first governor.





Questions/Main Ideas


Summary: The post Revolution Government had ran into a lot of problems during its creation, includng large
debts and inflation, pressures from foreign powers to not go through completely with treaites, a weak central
government, a military that wasnt given what they were promised, and a land system that didnt work out due to
a business buying out most of the land squares anyway.
Chapter 7 Revolutionary Politics in the states
Thomas Starr-Timberlake
Notes:

The Broadened State of Politics
Political mobilization of 1774 to 1775 broadened public participation
More people participated in elections
State legislatures contained more countrymen
Political debate changed from Whigs vs. Tories to Whigs vs.
democrats; Tories lost legitimacy after war
The People are the Best Governors argued that power should be put
into assembly with no qualifications for voting or holding office;
governor to carry out peoples wishes; people set own taxes, operated
own schools and churches, regulated local economy
Conservatives took on Whig argument of popular control from strong
House of Representatives; property qualifications would be needed for
running for office

The First State Constitutions
14 states adopted constitutions between 1776 and 1780 shaped
debates at time
Pennsylvania very democratic government, unicameral assembly,
elected by male taxpayers, open to public with roll-call votes, elected
executive committee instead of governor. Judges served at pleasure of
assembly
Maryland conservative, placed property requirements on office, 10
percent of men eligible to serve, governor controlled strong central
government, Judges and governors elected for life
New York - bicameral legislature, stiff property requirements, upper
house proportioned by wealth than population, mixed liberals and
conservatives

A Spirit of Reform
1776 constitution of NJ granted womens suffrage, males protested
against it
Revolution only changed expectations of women in society
Thomas Jefferson issued law abolishing inheritance laws called the
Bill of Establishing Religious Freedom
Many states maintained tie between church and state, keeping
religious tests in legal codes
Jeffersons other reforms didnt pass
Questions raised on accomplished reform, left other reforms to future
generations



Questions/Main Ideas

People had become more
involved in politics after the
revolution due to increased
political mobility. There were
soon political battles between
the conservatives and whigs
instead of the torries vs whigs

States had staerted to adopt
their own constitutions and
started to shape their own
governmets and policies based
off of the ideaology of wither
the conservatives or democrats.

Several events caused sligtly
increased sufferage for women
and incerased religious
tolreance. The major events of
increased rights would be left
for later generations
Chapter 7 Revolutionary Politics in the states
Thomas Starr-Timberlake
African Americans and the Revolution
African Americans celebrated little after revolution, were perpetuated
into slavery
Many fled with loyalists to Indies and Canada
Revolution waged war on liberty but continued slavery
Slavery weakened after ideas and shift away from tobacco
Some slaves freed or emancipated
All states other than Georgia and South Carolina prohibited or taxed
slave trade between 1776 and 1786
Free black population grew following Revolution
African Americans now established their own schools and churches
while being opposed by the whites of America
1804 every northern state had contributed to gradually abolishing or
emancipating slavery
1810 - 30k Africans still enslaved
Group of African American writers rose to power during revolution
Ex Benjamin Banneker, Jupiter Hammon, Phyllis Wheatley

Questions/Main Ideas

The revolutionary war had had
caused some slaves to evacuate
in fear of returning to slavery.
Slavery had naturaly weakened
as northern states had
emancipated more slaves and
the tobacco market had
weakened. Slaves would
eventually make their own
communities and go on with
their lives.
Summary: The increase in political participation allowed for progress in terms of civil rights and government
structure. The debates between the Whigs and conservatives would fuel the changes in government via state
constitutions and allow for the natural emanicipation of some blacks in the north.