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American Revolution

Chapter 5 – The American Revolution
· Military conflict w/ Great B. – modest one/revolutionary way
· Political struggle within America
o Whether to demand independence from Britain
o How to structure nation they proclaimed
· War over – Brit surrendered at Yorktown (1781)
· U.S. a new type of nation

I. The States United
· Colonies unprepared for challenge
· War against world's greatest armed power
A. Defining American War Arms
· Second Continental Congress – in Philadelphia
o Agreed to support war/disagreed on war purpose
· One end- grp led by Adams, Richard Henry See (VA) – complete independence from Great Britain
· Other end – grp. led by moderates John Dickenson (PA) – modest reforms of imperial relationships early reconciliation w/ G.B.
· Delegates uncertain – 2 different declarations
· Approves last conciliatory (peaceful) appeal to king – Olive Branch Petition
· July 6, 1775 – adopted "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms" – Americans with 2 options : submission to tyranny OR resistance by force
· Americans fighting for a redress of grievances – changed minds
o Costs of war – original motives to Americans to cover increasing costs
o Affection for Brits diminished when Brits recruited Indians, slaves, etc.
o Colonists believed Brits pushing them towards independence b/c Brits rejected Olive Petition
· Brit gov't enforced Prohibitory Acts – closed colonies to all sea trade – naval blockade of colonial ports
· "Common Sense" – by Thomas Moore (Jan 1776)
o exposed folly of continuing to believe peace w/ English possible
o king & system to blame
o revolutionary propagandist
B. The Decision for Independence
· support for independence grew rapidly – 1st months 1776
· Continental Congress – slowly moving toward break w/ England
o communication w/foreign...