Perspectives of the America Revolution

Common Sense Arguments

-many Americans fled England to escape its tyranny in the first place -war for independence wasn't a question, had already started at Lexington and Concord -America has outgrown England like a baby does its mother -England only protected America for its own interest -Britain's constant war affects America's relationship with other nations -their geographical distance is great

The Treaty of Paris in 1783 stipulated

1) British recognition of American independence. 2) establishment of the boundaries of the new United States from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River between the Great Lakes and Spanish Florida. 3) that Americans recommend British collection of prewar debts from colonists.

Common Sense

1776: a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that claimed the colonies had a right to be an independent nation

Alexander Hamilton

1789-1795; First Secretary of the Treasury. He advocated creation of a national bank, assumption of state debts by the federal government, and a tariff system to pay off the national debt.

George Washington

1st President of the United States; commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1732-1799)

Iron Tears

A book that examined the viewpoint of Great Britain during the American Revolution.

Join or Die Cartoon

A cartoon that Benjamin Franklin made to convince the colonists to unite for defense

Thomas Paine

American Revolutionary leader and pamphleteer (born in England) who supported the American colonist's fight for independence and made a famous piece of propaganda

Loyalist

American colonists who remained loyal to Britain and opposed the war for independence

Patriot

American colonists who were determined to fight the British until American independence was won

Capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership of capital; starts in America after the Revolutionary War

Declaration of Independence Preamble

An introduction explaining why the Declaration is being written

British Advantages and Disadvantages

British advantages -Experienced officers and soldiers -Royal navy is largest and most experienced at time -Well supplied, trained, fed, equipped, funded, and disciplined British disadvantages -Unfamiliar with territory and far from home -Lacked recruiting and some inexperienced wealthy officers in higher position

Redcoats

British soldiers who fought against the colonists in the American Revolution; so called because of their bright red uniforms.

Mississippi River

Considered a very important resource after the American Revolution. It was used for trade.

Valley Forge (1777-1778)

Encampment where George Washington's poorly equipped army spent a wretched, freezing winter. Hundreds of men died and more than a thousand deserted. The plight of the starving, shivering soldiers reflected the main weakness of the American army-a lack of stable supplies and munitions.

Propaganda

Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.

Crossing the Delaware

In December 1776 Washington secretly led his troops across the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack on the Hessian troops guarding Trenton and took most of them prisoner.

Slavery in the Declaration of Independence

It was not in the Declaration of independence. It was originally but then taken out because the south would not have supported it.

Declaration of Independence Date

July 4, 1776

Mrs. Conneely's favorite Halloween Candy

Reeses Peanut Cups & Dots

Women during the Revolutionary War

Some of them became nurses and spies, they tended to the farms and did house work during the War

African Americans during the Revolutionary War

Some of them thought the fight for independence would mean independence for them too, but unfortunately slavery would remain legal for another 100 years.

British merchants

They were angry about the War because they didn't want their trade to be affected

British Perspective of War

They were in general, angry at the colonists - they thought the colonists were overreacting with fighting the war

Native Americans during the Revolutionary War

They were manipulated and tricked by both sides to fight for their cause. They were promised things that were never granted. Ultimately their land was taken away.

Treaty of Paris 1783

Treaty Between England and the Colonies , formally ended the American Revolutionary War

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Written by Thomas Jefferson; influenced by the Enlightenment philosophers of his day. *Part 1* - Explains the necessity of independence for the preservation of basic laws and rights. *Part 2* - Lists a series of "abuses and usurpations" by the king and his government; Jefferson claimed that this treatment violated the social contract the British monarch had with the his colonies, thereby justifying the actions his American subjects felt compelled to take. *Part 3* - Ends with a formal declaration of war.

Thomas Jefferson

Wrote the Declaration of Independence; becomes 3rd president of the US

Neutral Colonists

colonists who did not choose a side

Battle of Yorktown (1781)

last major battle of Revolution. French navy and ground troops were crucial to victory.

Merchants

people who buy and sell goods

Lexington and Concord

the first battle of the American Revolution (April 19, 1775)