Chapter 4: The American Revolution

Baron Friedrich von Steuben

Another foreig-born soldier that contributed to America's success was Germany's Baron Friedrich von Steubem. Often called the "drill master of the Revolution," von Steuebn reorganized and trained the Continental Army at Valley Force. Although his English was poor, von Steueb's lively personality kept everyone in good spirits. Von Steuben taught the men how to use bayonets and to march. He also showed them how to maneuver on the fields. He was able to motivate the men by using humor, and in four months, he was able to turn the army into a respectable force. Even though he worked the men night and day, von Steuben earned their respect and admiration for his hard work and devotion to his men.

What was the difference in opinion among the colonists?

Only a few colonists were getting ready to declare war against England for their independence. Let us remember many colonists were still loyal to the king. Having a queen or king as a leader was the only thing they had known. Besides, under English law, declaring independence was an act of treason, which was punishable by death! Treason: The act of betraying one's country So, basically, members of Congress were still trying to work things out with the king, but they also believed it would not hurt to prepare for war- just in case.

Washington

The war had taken a toll on many Americans, and they needed time to recover. Exhausted from the war, Washington retired to his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia. He would need this time to rest. There were going to be new challenges ahead for the young nation, and one again, Washington would be called upon to lead.

Handy Betsy the Blacksmith

Was famous for supplying cannons and guns to the army.

Benjamin Franklin

Among other things, he earned his place on the committee because he was an experienced writer.

Equality within the Declaration of Independence

A main idea of the Declaration is "all men are created equal." In 1776, however, this only referred to white males. Over the years, the meaning expanded to include men and women of all races. Although all of its ideals have not been achieved, the Declaration of Independence provides goals for Americans to reach.

Women spies

A number of other women worked as spies to help Washington and other commanders learn about the English army's plans. Many of these women cooked and served food in the English camps while overhearing the men talk. They would then report what they had heard to the American officers.

Second problem for the English

Adding to the redcoats' problems, the retreating Americans had been burning bridges and chopping down huge trees in order to block the paths of the English. These factors helped to give the militiamen time to gather more men to join up for the fight.

Phyllis Wheatley

African American women also made an impression on Americanleaders. Phyllis Wheatley had been brought to America from Africa while she was a child. She was sold as a slave. Ms. Wheatley taught herself Latin and Greek and wrote fine poetry. Many of her poems encouraged learning, good moral, and religious devotion. In a well-known poem, she praised George Washington. He was so impressed with her that he asked to meet her. Ms. Wheatley's book of poetry was the second book of poetry ever published by a woman in the United States.

African Americans contributing to the revolution

African Americans also contributed to the Revolution, hoping it would lead to equality. At the beginning of the war, however, the Continental Army did not allow African Americans to officially join the army for fear it would encourage slaves to leave their owners. In the meantime, the English had been promising freedom for African Americans that fought in the English army.

After the battle of Saratoga, most fighting occurred in the South.

After the Battle of Saratoga, most of the fighting occurred in the South. First, the reason the English were a bit discouraged since they had only mild success in defeating the Americans in the Northern and Middle Colonies. Also, they believed there were more Loyalists in the Southern Colonies that supported King George III and were against the rebellion. By the way, this was not true. Finally, some of the English commanders thought it was necessary to control larger colonies, such as Virginia, in order to win the war.

Around two years following the battle of Yorktown

After the Battle of Yorktown, the war continued approximately two more years. The English still controlled New York city, Charleston, and Savannah. They also controlled some areas along the western frontier. However, after their defeat at Yorktown, their will to fight had all but disappeared. In addition, England had also lost battles in Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean, and the West Indies. In an effort to support all the military efforts around the world, England's national debt increased dramatically. As a result, public opposition to the war had grown in England.

What was the relationship between the colonies and England after the battle of Lexington and Concord?

After the battles of Lexington and Concord, the relationship between England and its colonies remained uncertain. The delegates of the First Continental Congress, which met in 1774, agreed to meet in 1775 if the King did not respond to their requests. The King's refusal to respond cast a shadow of doubt over the prospects for a peaceful resolution. In addition, the colonists made a bold move by engaging the English military in battles. Would King George III give in to the colonists' demands? Was it too late for the colonists to turn back, and had they gone too far? Notice how the colonists were aiming for peace, but cautiously preparing for war.

Johann de Kalb

Also, Johann de Kalb, born in Germany, fought valiantly alongside the Patriots until his death at the Battle of Camden in South Carolina in 1779.

American Weaknesses

Americans had a very small navy Few colonists were willing to fight in other colonies It was difficult to maintain an army because there were no pensions or insurance payments for widows. Due to low pay, many enlisted for only three months. One-third of the colonists were loyal to England and did not agree with the rebellion. There was little manufacturing in the colonies, so they had to depend on foreign purchases from military supplies.

Franklin's views

Among the American negotiators were Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay. Out of this group, Franklin was the one that took a more long-term approach to the situation. He believed it would be in America's best interest to eventually become friends with England. The two nations, he believed, could become trading partners and allies in future conflicts. Because of his beliefs, Franklin did not want England to be treated too harshly during the negotiations for peace.

John Paul Jones

Another person we should mention is John Paul Jones. He is said to be the founder of the strong United States Navy tradition. There are several stories that tell of his courage and determination. One of them involved a battle against an English ship named the Serapis. Jones brought his ship, the Bonhomme Richard, as close as he could to the Serapis and fought the English from sunrise to sunset. Both ships were badly damaged, but Jones refused to surrender. In fact he said, "I have not yet begun to fight." He held on and sure enough, eventually the English surrendered.

War in the west around 1779

As the Americans moved west, they created new settlements. In Kentucky, one of them was named Lexington, after the famous battle in New England. Another one was named after France's King Louis XVI- Louisville. Clashes with the Native Americans, whose lands were being invaded, were inevitable. Native Americans that had land taken away tended to side with the English. These Native Americans believed that if the English won they would stop the American expansion westward. Most other Native American groups remained neutral.

The idea of independence took a while to be accepted

As you have read, the idea of independence took a while to be accepted by the colonists. Not only were they used to the idea of a king or queen making decisions for them, they feared what punishments rebellion would bring. It took the thoughts and actions of many brave individuals to spur the colonies to independence. It takes a certain type of person to stand by what they believe to be true no matter what the consequences are. Remember, the punishment for treason was death. Although many of the colonists were making war preparations, independence from England had yet to be declared. Why do you believe colonists were cautious about making such a declaration?

Colonists view towards the Hessian soldiers

As you might imagine, the hiring of the Hessians did not sit very well with the colonists. Mercenaries, which are soldiers that fight for money, were not respected and were associated with looting and other crimes. They were not welcome in the colonies. The fact that King George III was willing to hire ruthless soldiers made many colonists think that perhaps a complete break with England was the only option.

African Americans in important battles

At least seven of the minutemen that fought in the battles of Lexington and Concord were African American. Others fought to take Fort Ticonderoga and Bunker Hill. In Rhode Island, an all-black regiment helped win the battle of Newport in 1778. The men were praised for their bravery.

Patriots, Loyalists, Neutrals

Before we go any further, we need to understand that not all colonists wanted to separate from England. Those that wanted independence were called Patriots. Patriots made up about one-third of the colonists. Another third were still faithful to the king and the mother country; they did not want independence. They were called Loyalists. The last third did not take sides for fear of losing their property or lives.

Olive Branch Petition (1775)

Believe it or not, the delegates at the Second Continental Congress were still loyal to King George III. In fact, members of Congress blamed Parliament, not the king, for the fighting. In July of 1775, Congress sent King George III the Olive Branch Petition. This was an appeal to the king to protect the colonies against further actions by Parliament, until a compromise could be worked out. King George III, furious with the Americans, refused to read it.

Changes to the declaration of indepenence

Benjamin Franklin made a few changes to the document when Jefferson was finished. One of the changes dealt with slavery. In on of the passages, Jefferson had written that slavery was "war upon humanity itself," and he blamed the king for this. Several delegates thought this statement had gone too far and were afraid that it could lead to the freedom of slaves. In particular, South Carolina and Georgia- which were the colonies most dependent on slaves-rejected the statement. In order to gain the votes of these delegates, the statement was removed from the document.

Contributions by Spain

Besides France, Germany, and Poland, Spain contributed as greatly to the defeat of the English during the war. As the war went on, the Americans kept moving west. This part of the war was finally won with the help of a Spanish governor in New Spain (Spanish lands in North America, Bernardo de Galvez.

Casimir Pulaski

Casimir Pulaski, born in Poland, worked with another part of the army-the cavalry. The cavalry is where men fight on horses. Pulaski trained the men to fight while riding on horses. Then he trained the infantry-the foot soldiers-to fight alongside the cavalry. Pulaski died in the Battle of Savannah in 1779.

Bernardo de Galvez

Clark's success might not have been possible without the help of Bernardo de Galvez, governor of Spanish lands of what was Louisiana at the time. He supplied Clark with gunpowder, supplies, and cattle from Spanish herds in Texas. Galvez turned out to be so important that the city of Galveston, Texas is named after him. When Spain declared war on England in 1779, Galvez did much more than provide supplies to the Americans. He also took Spanish soldiers from the Caribbean and Mexico. With an even larger force, Galvez attacked Pensacola, Florida and trapped 2,500 English soldiers who were on their way to adi Cornwallis. The successes of Clark and Galvez meant that the territory west of the thirteen colonies to the Mississippi River would become part of the United States, not Canada, once peace was achieved.

Success of Common Sense

Common Sense was an immediate best seller. By mid-1776, several hundred thousand pamphlets had been sold. Almost everyone in the colonies had read it or heard it discussed Its influence was felt everywhere, including in the Second Continental Congress. In fact, after reading Common Sense, George Washington dropped his habit of always drinking a toast to the King George III at official dinners. Congress now began talking about independence and would soon write a document that would forever change America.

French Involvement

Cornwallis was confident in his ability to take control of the South, but he was not aware of how much the French were helping the Americans. Since entering the war in 1778, the French had sent 5,000 troops to America. In 1781, 3,000 more troops were sent on warships.

Surprise attack by George Rogers Clark

During the winter of 1778, Clark and his men marched 150 miles through heavy rains, icy rivers, and swamps. As they reached the woods around the fort, the men were ordered to spread out in order to appear greater in number than they actually were. The trick worked because the English commander, thinking he was outnumbered, surrendered the first to Clark in February of 1779. By the winter of 1779, the English had lost control of the West to the Americans.

Nathaniel Greene

During this time, George Washingon appointed Nathaniel Greene to command the Patriot troops in the South. Greene was able to drive Cornwallis deep into North Carolina, away from the coast. In this situation, Cornwallis was far away from the coast, where he received reinforcements and supplies by ship.

English Strengths

English troops were larger and well trained They had the largest and most efficient navy They had money to hire soldiers The Cherokee Native Americans helped them. The English navy, which controlled the seas, could stop trade in the colonies. Numerous manufacturing facilities provided supplies for the war. Military leadership was professionally trained.

Cornwallis moves

Eventually, Cornwallis did make it to the coast, but was not satisfied with staying in North Carolina. So, in May 1781, Cornwallis marched north into Virginia. From his camp, Cornwallis sent Loyalist troops to attack Patriots in Charlottesville, Virginia, where the legislature was meeting. The men were almost captured, including Virginia's governor, Thomas Jefferson. The Loyalists did not succeed, because American troops, led by General Lafayette fought back. Unfortunately, Lafayette did not have enough troops to defeat the English. These raids, however, did force Cornwallis and his troops to retreat to Yorktown. It was stationed on a peninsula, between the James and York rivers, at the entrance of Chesapeake Bay. Peninsula: A piece of land with water on three sides that is attached on one side to a large piece of land.

Official end to the war

Finally, in 1783, the war came to an official end in Paris, France. The peace process involved four nations: England, United States, France, and Spain. As you can imagine, each country had its own interests, which made it tricky to come to an agreement. For example, Spain felt some hostility towards the United States, because it feared the new nation might want to expand further west from the Mississippi. And guess which nation controlled those lands? You're right, Spain. Also, although the French desperately wanted to see England lose, they weren't too excited about a new country competing with it for control over lands in North America.

Nathan Hale

Finally, there was a young teacher from Connecticut, Natahn Hale, that enrolled in the militia. In September 1776, George Washington needed information on the English troops' plans concerning New York. He asked for volunteers to go into enemy territory and find out whatever they could. Everyone was silent until Hale spoke up and said that he would gladly serve his country. Hale went into New York, using the excuse that he was looking for work. Unfortunately his plan was discovered, and when the redcoats found notes hidden in his shoe, there was no mistaking he was a spy.

First problem for the English

First of all, Burgoyne was from the upper class of England, and was not used to "roughing it." He decided to take a shortcut across 23 miles of rugged, roadless land. Burgoyne and his troops had to travel through thick forests and swamps. In addition, there were more than 600 wagons travelling with him, 30 of which held his personal baggage. This slowed things down terribly.

Role of Women in the American Revolution

First, let us look at the role women played in the American Revolution. Many women worked at home making guns and other weapons. They also made shoes and wove cloth for uniforms and blankets. Many gave up pewter or brass trays, bowls, and plates so they could be melted down to make ammunition. In addition, they farmed and helped to raise money to supply the army with food, clothing, and medicine. Many women sewed flags for the army, including Betsy Ross from Philadelphia.

Marquis de Lafayette

From the group of French soldiers that came to America, one of them stands out over the others. He was Marquis de Lafayette. A young nobleman, Lafayette joined Geore Washington shortly after the American victories at Trenton and Princeton. He brought with him professional soldiers and led them against the English in battles in Virginia. Lafayette served four years as a general in the Continental Army, becoming a trusted friend of Washington. Upon his return to France, Lafayette would be an important player in France's own revolution.

How did George Washington inspire his troops?

George Washington knew he had to do something to revive his troops. He read a passage from Thomas Paine's The Crisis to his troops. Inspired by the words, Washington and his men planned a surprise attack on Trenton, New Jersey.

What did the king do in response to the olive branch petition?

He ordered a blockade to cut off trade and supplies to the colonies. In addition, the king decided to hire soldiers from Hesse, Germany. The Hessian soldiers were promised to be paid for each colonial soldier they killed or wounded.

Response to the surprise attack

Humiliated by this defeat, the English sent General Charles Cornwallis to recapture Trenton. In January 1777, Cornwallis saw campfires flickering in the distance. He believed that his troops could successfully sneak up on the Americans in the morning and gain an easy victory. Washington, however, had other plans. The American troops had left camp with their fires burning to trick Cornwallis and they had snuck behind English lines, placing an attack on another city in New Jersey, called Princeton. This was another easy victory for Washington and the Americans. These two victories gave new life and confidence to the weary Patriots. With these victories, Washington earned the nickname of "The old fox." Realizing that the Americans were not going to be easy to defeat, the English had to devise a plan of action.

Discussing Independence

In June of 1776, Congress began to discuss independence. Assemblies from several colonies had been urging their representatives in Philadelphia to vote for a complete break with England. The time seemed right and George Washington had been winning some battles. So on June 7, Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution in Congress for independence Congress then asked Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston and Thomas Jefferson to write a statement explaining why the colonies should be independent. This statement would become known as the Declaration of Independence.

Green Mountain Boys and Ethan Allen

In May of 1775, Ethan Allen organized a group of men called the Green Mountain Boys in Vermont. Allen was a blacksmith from Vermont who was known for his strength and fierce temper. He came up with a plan to help the Patriots in Massachusetts. Dressed in long green coats and high boots, the Green Mountain Boys crossed Lake Champlain and captured the English forts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Fort Ticonderoga was heavily fortified, because it protected the water route to Canada.

Benedict Arnold

In Virginia, Cornwallis joined forces with troops under Benedict Arnold. We haven't spoken too much about Arnold, but you might recall that he was a Patriot. And not just any Patriot-he was even considered a hero for the Americans! As the war went on, Arnold was heavily in debt and became upset about criticism over his leadership skills. The English offered to help him out, if he would give up the fort at West Point and hand it over to the English. The Americans discovered the plan, and Arnold fled to the English side. Now you know why someone that is a traitor is called a "Benedict Arnold."

Militiamen

In keeping with the theme of preparing for war, 10,000 militiamen set up camp around Boston after the battles of Lexington and Concord. Among the militiamen were farmers, merchants and free African Americans.

George Rogers Clark

In order to get a firmer grip of the West, the Continental Army sent George Rogers Clark to the Ohio Valley in the spring of 1778. Clark had help from the Miami Indians and captured the English forts at Kaskaskia and Cahokia. He also wanted to take the fort of Vincennes, but the Americans were outnumbered. The only thing to do was to plan a surprise attack.

Battle of Bunker Hill (1775)

In order to have a commanding position over the city and harbor, the Americans needed to control the peninsula across Boston Harbor. At sunset on June 16, 1775, Colonel William Prescott led 1,200 troops to Bunker Hill on the peninsula. From this vantage point, they could fire upon English ships in the harbor. Prescott, however, spotted nearby Breed's Hill and decided it was better situated. The men built redoubts all night long, knowing they would have to finish before they were spotted at dawn. Redoubts: Small defensive fortifications At sunrise, General William Howe spotted the Americans and ferried about 2,400 Redcoats across the harbor. The Redcoats advanced in three broad lines up the hill. They had to push through tall grass and climb over fences, all the while sweating under 100 pounds of gear and hot wool uniforms. The Redcoats failed to take the hill in their first two attempts. They also suffered heavy casualties and were surprised by the determination of the Americans. During the fighting, the citizens of Boston kept up with the actions by watching from their windows and rooftops. The American fought bravely, despite being tired and hungry after having worked all night long. They were also short of ammunition, which prompted one of their commanders to order, "Don't one of you fire until you see the whites of their eyes." In other words, do not fire until they are close enough to be sure that you will not miss and waste ammunition. Despite the order, the Americans did run out of ammunition and had to resort to loading their guns with nails and broken pieces of glass. Reinforced by fresh troops, the Redcoats were able to take the hill on their third attempt. In the Battle of Bunker Hill, more than 1,000 Redcoats lost their lives, and approximately 400 militiamen were killed or wounded. In fact, it would prove to be the bloodiest battle of the war. Although the Americans lost, they proved their courage and ability to fight.

Continental Army

In order to provide for defense of the colonies- if necessary- the Congress established a Continental Army. George Washington, a Virginian, was appointed Commander in Chief. The fact that a Virginian was chosen is significant, because the New England colonies, especially Massachusetts, needed support from the other colonies. Virginia was the largest of the colonies; therefore, it could become a very powerful supporter.

Molly Ludwig Hays

In the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, Mary Ludwif Hays carried water to her husband and other soldiers during the fighting. Can anyone guess what she was nicknamed? Molly Pitcher. When her husband was wounded, she took his place, loading and firing a cannon. She even received a soldier's pension for her services in the army.

James Armistead

James Armistead, a slave from Virginia, played an important role in the Battle of Yorktown. He had worked for Lafayette, who had sent Armistead into English camps as a spy to learn about their plans. His reports were valuable to the American and French armies during the last battles to end the war. After the war, Armistead gained his freedom and changed his name to James Armistead Lafayette.

John Adams

John Adams earned a place on the committee because of his well-known devotion to independence.

What decisions were made at the Second Continental Congress?

John Hancock of Massachusetts was elected president of the Congress. The delegates had come to Philadelphia in order to decide whether to give in to England's demands or to continue to resist until their grievances were satisfied. The delegates decided to resist and use force if necessary.

France helping America

Now, let us look at the help that the Patriots received from other countries, especially France. We read in the previous section that the United States and France signed a peace treaty in 1778. Money and soldiers were sent to America. In addition, France sent ships to help the Americans. These ships brought supplies and weapons. French vessels also seized military equipment on English ships that were on their way to the war in America. Not only were English ships attacked at sea, but also some French were so daring as to raid English coastal towns. Overall, French ships captured or destroyed nearly 800 English vessels.

Laura Wolcott

Of Connecticut is said to have made over 4,000 cartridges (cases containing bullets or gunpowder) from a melted statue.

Surprise attack on Trenton, New Jersey

On Christmas night, Washington secretly led 2,400 troops across the icy Delaware River. Early in the morning on the 26th of December, the Americans surprised the Hessian troops that were guarding the city. The surprise attack was so successful that very few men died, and most of the Hessians were taken as prisoners.

Battle of Yorktown

On October 9, 1781, Washington ordered his artillery to begin firing. The combined American and French troops numbered over 16,000 while the English had between 7,000 and 8,000 soldiers. Whom would you say had the advantage? On October 17, thousands of English troops marched out of their lines and piled up their weapons. Two days later, Cornwallis surrendered as the Royal army band played "The World Turned Upside Down." And for the English, that pretty much summed up the whole situation. England had been the strongest nation in the world. Now, an army that had been barely held together by Washington and foreign officers had defeated it. In fact, upon hearing the surrender, Prime Minister Lord North cried out, "Oh God! It is all over! It is all over!"

Third problem for the English

On the other side of New York, General Howe had been given orders from King George III and his advisors that he should attack Philadelphia first, before setting off for Albany. To make matters worse, St. Leger had been forced to retreat to Canada. This pretty much left Burgoyne alone to battle the Americans, as he approached Albany.

Second Continental Congress

On the same day that Ethan Allen and his boys were taking Ticonderoga and Crown Point, delegates from all thirteen colonies began meeting at the State House in Philadelphia. This meeting, which would go on for several months, was known as the Second Continental Congress.

Women on the battlefield

Other women felt they could make more important contributions closer to the battlefields. On the front, these women washed clothes, cooked, and cared for the wounded. In fact, Martha Washington, George Washington's wife, joined him as often as possible.

English plan

Realizing that the Americans were not going to be easy to defeat, the English had to devise a plan of action. Their plan was to isolate the New England colonies by conquering New York. It involved a three-pronged attack, which would end in Albany. General John Buroyne would lead his army southward from Canada along Lake Champlain. Then, Barry St. Leger would march from Oswego, Canada on Lake Ontario, then eastward through the Mohawk River Valley. Finally, General William Howe would move northward from New York city along the Hudson River. The three armies would join each other in Albany and defeat the Americans once and for all. Things, however, didn't go as planned for the English

English weaknesses

Reinforcements, supplies, and orders took months to reach America. Once orders issued in London reached America, they often did not fit the situation at hand. They were fighting on unfamiliar, poorly mapped land. They faced hostile farmers in the countryside. They were not used to wilderness warfare. They underestimated the military ability and determination of the American navy.

Roger Sherman

Roger Sherman, from Connecticut, was a self-educated lawyer and merchant. He was known for his strong opposition to Parliament's control over colonial affairs.

Robert Livingston

Robert Livingston came from a great landowning family of New York. He was assigned to the committee to write the Declaration of Independence to encourage New York's colonists to support breaking away from English rule.

Robert Morris

Robert Morris, a banker from Philadelphia also gave considerable amounts of money to support the war effort. Haym Salomon and Robert Morris raised funds to buy supplies for the Continental Army and were able to obtain loans from other countries.

Divide among Americans

Speaking of Loyalists, you would think that everyone was happy with the results of the war and the treaty that followed. This was not the case. Tens of thousands of Loyalists left the United States after the war (estimates range from 60,000 to 100,000). They had been treated poorly during the war and did not feel that the Treaty of Paris would guarantee their safety.

What happened?

The American and French troops surrounded Yorktown by land. The French warships chased English vessels out of the Chesapeake Bay and then sealed off its entrance. Cornwallis was definitely in trouble. Although the English navy was much larger and had controlled the coastline, the French took advantage of some geographic factors. First of all, the Atlantic Ocean is very large, and the coastline is long. This enabled French ships to maneuver without being noticed. Also, back in the 18th century, there were no cell phones or cable stations. Communication was much slower, so it was extremely difficult to alert troops far away from you, if you spotted enemy ships heading in their direction.

Importance of the Battle of Saratoga

The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point of the war for several reasons. First of all, it ruined the plan to divide and conquer the colonies. In addition, American morale was lifted. And perhaps, most importantly, the victory legitimized the American cause in the eyes of the European nations.

English moves

The English did have success in capturing some southern port towns: Savannah, GA (1778), Charleston, SC (1780), and Camden, SC (1780). In fact, most of the fighting during 1780 occurred in the Carolinas.

How many parts was the declaration of independence divided into?

The Declaration of Independence was divided into three parts.

How did the colonies prepare for war?

The Second Continental Congress also issued a call to all colonists to prepare for war by raising troops and helping to pay for the war effort. In fact, paper money was used to help pay for the army. Congress also established an intercolonial post office, with Benjamin Franklin as postmaster general. Messengers were sent to other colonies to seek help against the actions of England. A navy was organized and American ships were authorized to attack English vessels. Colonial ports were opened and allowed to trade with all countries, except England. The Second Continental Congress was a central government, working on behalf of all thirteen colonies.

General Horatio Gates

The commander of the American troops fighting in this area was General Horatio Gates. He was a very patient man and did not like to engage in a major battle until it was absolutely necessary. So, it was that on September 19 both armies fought in Saratoga, just north of Albany, New York.

Approval of the Declaration of Independence

The delegates met in early July to debate the Declaration of Independence, but it was not until July 4 that it was officially approved.

Early battles of the American Revolution

The early battles of the American Revolution were fought mostly in New England. After March 1776, heavy fighting moved to the Middle Colonies of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. It was during this time that many American troops became tired and discouraged. In fact, many deserted. They had been involved in a long battle for New York, which they eventually lost. The American were outnumbered and forced to retreat.

Thomas Jefferson

The fifth man on the committee, Thomas Jefferson, was the youngest member of Congress. Jefferson was a lawyer from Virginia and had served seven years in the Virginia Assembly. In 1774, he wrote a booklet that stated Parliament had no right to pass laws for the colonies. The colonies, however, should remain loyal to the king, who should serve the people, and not be their master. Although not a good speaker, Jefferson was one of America's greatest writers and thinkers. In fact, he wrote most of the Declaration of Independence. Later, he would become the third president of the United States of America.

Preamble to declaration of independence

The first part, known as the Preamble or introduction, began with a statement that all people have certain natural rights. Jefferson wrote that governments are created to protect those rights. If a government fails to do so, then the people have the right to revolt and change the government. In other words, governments can only exist with the consent or approval of those being governed.

Third part or conclusion of the declaration of independence

The last part of the Declaration- the conclusion-had declared that the English colonies had become the United States of America. All ties with England were cut. So, what had begun as an attempt to protect the rights of English citizens in the colonies became a struggle for independence.

Impact of the Declaration of Independence around the world

The long-term effects of the Declaration of Independence were not limited to the United States. The document inspired French revolutionaries who fought against its monarchy and later adapted "The Declaration of the Rights of Man." Monarchy: A government ruled by a king, queen, or emperor. The United State's independence also encouraged leaders in Latin America in the early 1800s to fight for independence from Spain. Asian and African nationalists were also inspired to seek their freedom from various European nations.

Second part of the declaration of independence

The second part of the Declaration listed King George III's wrongdoings. Among those were as follows: -Taxing the colonies without the consent of the people -Cutting off trade to the colonies -Eliminating trial by jury -Burning towns and waging war against the colonies This section also reminded the king that the colonists had repeatedly asked him to correct the injustices against them, but they were all ignored.

Deborah Sampson

There is also the story of Deborah Sampson from Massachusetts. She dressed as a man, so she could join the army. Ms. Sampson did fight in several battles and later wrote a book about her experiences.

Francis Marion

There was another brilliant military mind fighting in the Continental Army. His name was Francis Marion. So popular was he, that many mothers named their children after him, and cities also carried his name. Known as the "Swamp Fox," Marrion effectively fought the enemy by using guerilla warfare. Guerilla warfare: Military tactic of using hit and run tactics such as ambushing in order to avoid direct battles He would strike the troops, then retreat, without giving them a chance for a full-blown fight.

Abigail Adams

There were also women who contributed not so much with their actions, but with their thoughts. The wife of John Adams, Abigail Adams, wrote him a letter while he was meeting with the Second Continental Congress. In it, she advised her husband that women had earned their right to be treated as equals to men, and they would not stand to be treated as anything less.

Haym Solomon

There were ordinary citizens that were also very dedicated to the independence movement. One man, Haym Salomon was a Polish Jew that came to live in America because of religious persecution back home. He joined the Sons of Liberty and was arrested by the English. After he became a successful businessman, he gave his entire fortune to Congress to help pay for the war.

Thaddeus Kosciusko

There were other liberty-loving Europeans that helped America win the war. Thaddeus Kosciusko, also from Poland, came to America in 1776. A military engineer, he planned fortifications at West Point and other strategic places. His work was important in winning several battles. Later, he became a hero in Poland.

American Strengths

They were familiar with territory. They learned fighting methods from Native Americans They gained support from European nations. George Washington was a strong leader. John Paul Jones was a strong naval captain. Colonists were fighting for their homes and their freedom Pioneer life taught colonists to withstand hardships. They had help from foreign officers. Territory was too large. Since there was not a major urban center in the colonies who could cripple the colonies, the English would have to win every city in order to win the war.

Francis Marrion's strategy

This would mentally exhaust the enemy. Marion focused his attacks on supply lines and supply camps, hoping to cripple the English troops. Attacks were often carried out at midnight, and many times he would be chased into swamps, where he would lose the enemy. Besides being respected for his use of strategy, he was admired for his personal bravery. In fact, he is considered by many to be the father of the U.S Army Special Forces.

Thomas Paine and Common Sense

Thomas Paine, a former corset maker and recent immigrant from England, spurred the movement toward independence with a pamphlet he wrote called Common Sense. In it, he ridiculed the English crown by calling King George III "the royal brute of Britain." Paine wrote that the king was a tyrant who did nothing to deserve the loyalty of the colonists and that people have a "natural right" to rule themselves. Trying to argue, or compromise with the crown was a waste of time; he urged the colonists to rebel. He also argued that it was absurd for a small island nation like England to control an entire continent 3,000 miles away. Paine called upon American to cut their ties with England and to create a republic where the power came from the people. He believed it was America's destiny to be independent, and he pointed out the practical advantages independence would bring to Americans. These practical advantages included -Free trade= more money for ammunition -Imprisonment, not death -Access to Foerign Trade -Better society where there would be equal opportunities for all.

Battle of Saratoga

Two units, one of which was led by Major General Benedict Arnold, defeated Burgoyne and his men. On October 7, there was another fight in Saratoga, and the British were defeated again. Burgoyne surrendered his entire army. The Americans took 5,700 prisoners and many others died in battle.

People from other groups contributing

Up to this point, you have read about several important people associated with the American Revolution. You might have noticed that most of them had one thing in common: they were white, colonial men. Now we are going to look at the contributions made to the Revolutionary War by individuals from other groups. Without the help from these individuals, the outcome of the war might have been very different.

George Washington

Washington was well suited for the role of a leader. He was tall, strong, and a good athlete. But, he was also patient, responsible, and showed good judgement. He was trusted and respected by most and had proved his bravery in the French and Indian War. Washington gained more admirers when he refused to take a salary for his new post. He believed a commander should not profit from war.

Benjamin Franklin

We should take some time to discuss some other important people that contributed to the cause for American independence. Let us begin with someone we have already mentioned, Benjamin Franklin. Although he came from a poor family and left school at age 10 to work for his father, Franklin never stopped learning. During his spare time, he read and studied literature, math and foreign languages. Franklin was also curious about how things worked. He made several inventions; in 1752 he proved that lightning was a form of electricity. During the time of the American Revolution, Franklin was sent to France to get support from European countries.

John Jay's and John Adam's views

When the Treaty of Paris was finally signed, the United Stated did get a good deal. England recognized the thirteen colonies of the United States as independent. The nation's borders were the following: north to Canada and the Great Lakes (similar to today's borders); south to Florida;west to Mississippi River; and east to the Atlantic Ocean. Also, the United States regained the right to fish off the coast of Newfoundland. The treaty also required England to remove its troops from America. In return, The United States agreed to restore the rights of the Loyalists. It also promised to ask the states to return seized Loyalist property-although few states complied with this request. The United States also allowed English collectors to try to recover pre-war debts owed to them by Americans.

Why did the French help the Americans?

Why were the French so eager to help the Americans? After all, France also had a king, and you would think that the king would fear that the American Revolution would inspire rebellion in France. Well, we need to remember that the French and English had been long-time enemies. The French recently lost to the English in the French and Indian War, which was known as the Seven Years' War in Europe. For this reason, the French helped the Americans in order to weaken the English empire. Spain and the Netherlands also sided with America and lent money to help with the war effort.

Plan to trap Cornwallis

With the help of the French, Washington devised a complex plan to trap Cornwallis on the peninsula where Yorktown was situated. It involved surrounding the English on land and cutting them off from the coast. The French army was led by the Count de Rochambeau and joined Washington's troops near New York. Originally, Washington and Rochambeau were going to attack New York, something Washington desperately wanted to do. Upon seeing the opportunity in Virginia, however, Washington quickly headed south. Washington and Rochambea arrived in September 1781. Meanwhile, troops unde Lafayette and von Steuebn had set up camp outside Yorktown. From the West Indies, in the Caribbean Sea, the French navy moved northward under the command of Admiral Francois de Grasse. Additional French warships off the coast of New England colonies headed south as well.