Transcript Lec 6-The American Revolution

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American Revolution
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Brotherhood
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The
Patriots
Reluctant Revolutionaries
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Chapter 7
Achievements:
1) First successful war for colonial
independence;
2) First enduring large-scale Republic;
3) First nation designed on a “Liberal Recipe”
in terms of political and economic character.
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Emeritus Historian Edmund S. Morgan
stated,
“no one has ever quite understood the
Revolution and no one truly will.”
Story of Eldridge Gerry and Benjamin
Harrison—explains the perspicacity of the
unfolding events.
They knew they were laying the foundation
for “Millions, Yet, unborn.”
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The brotherhood itself consisted of the
usual suspects:
George Washington, Benjamin Franklin,
John Adams, James Madison, Thomas
Paine, Alexander Hamilton and a coterie of
leading politicians and social leaders.
Real star of the Revolution is the revolution
itself—we must not overlook the event—it is
as important as the people—People give a
face to the Revolution.
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This new Nation combined in latent form two
seminal and seemingly contradictory ideas—
Democracy and Capitalism, along with a
radical concept of Popular Sovereignty --Common Ordinary People could Govern
themselves, Tax themselves, Secure their
own blessings of Liberty w/o a King or
Monarchy
Divinity lay with the People, not a title or
family lineage.
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The American Revolution, in and of itself
was very different from previous revolutions
and many that followed—
There were no Guillotines, or major
bloodletting—simply it did not devour its
own.
It was a collective achievement that
eschewed a monarchy or divine
figurehead—instead opting for a seminally
democratic system of checks and
balances—that derived its authority from
the consent of the governed.
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The revolutionaries, rather than choosing to
kill one another chose to argue with one
another—
Yes, historians do point out the failures of
the Revolution—ie it did not end patriarchy
(deferring to one’s betters), nor racism, nor
did it bring about absolute equality –
However, it did give us a vehicle, a political
mechanism that would eventually lead to
these things—’Founding Fathers’ were also a
product of their time, as we are a product of
our time.
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Why Boston” Why was Boston so
cantankerous?
Bostonians were natural dissenters; Mostly
blue collar, merchants, mechanics, and shop
owners;
Believed in the Town Hall mentality—had left
Britain because of British atrocities and
corruption Believed what happened in
Scotland and Ireland was a prelude to what
the British intended to do in America.
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John Adams took up the
successful defense of the
Troops that fired on the
Boston Crowd; “Motley
rabble of Irish Teagues,
Jack Tars, Mulattos, and
saucy Boys”
In 1764 he took up the
American cause;
Wrote tracts espousing
conspiracy theories
concerning British
commercial and tax
laws;
Motive to prove this
cause would be
conservative and within
the parameters of
civilized law.
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George
Washington—tends
to be more in our
wallets than our
Hearts;
Still very much
revered in
American History;
Became viewed as
the “First in War,
First in Peace, and
first in the hearts
of his countrymen.”
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Washington born in 1732—fourth generation
American—doted on by his mother;
Always wanted to be an Officer in the British
Army—he was a man of action and also
sought fame and fortune and desired to be
a Great Planter.
He decided to throw in with the Americans
for very different reasons than did Adams—
who deplored an aristocratic society and
privilege at the expense of the lower
classes—Adams was 14th in his class at
Harvard for a reason.
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Thomas Paine wrote
“Common Sense”
Paine a ne’er do well left
Britain for America with
nothing but a letter of
introduction from
Benjamin Franklin.
Maybe the single most
important piece of
journalism in American
History.
Openly blamed King
George for incompetence
and stated that an Island
cannot rule a continent.”
Sold 100,000 copies 1yr.
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Common Sense
“These are the times that try men’s souls.
The summer soldier and the sunshine
Patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the
service of their country; but he who stands
by it now, deserves the love and thanks of
man and woman.
“Tyranny like hell, is not easily conquered;
yet, … the harder the conflict the more
glorious the triumph … it would be strange
indeed if so celestial an article as Freedom
should not be highly rated …”
Prelude to Revolution
 1754-1763 French and Indian War
 1762—Writs of Assistance
Proclamation of 1763 inhibiting westward
expansion
1765—Stamp Tax—relatively light tax
1767—Townshend Acts—duties on external goods
and suspended New York Legislator until it
agreed to authorize the Quartering of troops
1768—tension in Boston escalate until Britain
enforces martial law and closes the Port
1770 March 5—Boston Massacre
1773—Tea Act—Boston Tea Party
1774 Quebec Act and the Coercive Acts—instilled
permanent martial law and Port closure in
Boston
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1st Continental Congress Sep 1774 in
response to the Intolerable Acts(Coercive
Acts);
Endorsed the Suffolk Resolves, adopted the
Declaration of the rights and grievances,
agreed to establish a continental
association;
Suffolk Resolves– strongly worded
resolutions denouncing the coercive acts as
unconstitutional—called for the colonial
militia’s to arm and utilize economic
sanctions against Great Britain
(Suffolk County—includes Boston)
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Feb 1775—more moderate Parliament is
elected and offers a Conciliatory Proposition
Parliament would allow colonies to assume
their own tax rate if it is satisfactory and
reasonable.
Too little too late – Americans Samuel
Adams and few others are ready for a
fight—they want and desire independence –
not reconciliation –
April 1775 – they get their wish in small
little Hamlet called Lexington and Concord.
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Because of Gesture Politics and other
tensions in Boston, Thomas Gage is charged
with keeping the peace.
He requests 20,000 troops. He is charged
with imprisoning Samuel Adams and John
Hancock—supposedly leaders of this
rebellion or social tumult.
Boston defiantly elects their own official
thumbing their noses at Parliament—Gage is
ordered to locate Adams and Hancock and
imprison them.
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The Militia are ready—spies are every
where—one if by land two if by sea etc …
Paul Revere, Samuel Dawes and Samuel
Prescott are busy riding the circuit keeping
the villagers informed of troop movement
and passing messages.
April 14 Gage received written directive
from Parliament – April 18 he sent out the
Regulars with a detachment of Marines led
by Major Pitcairn – they are to capture the
Armories etc …
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No one will truly know how – but a shot was
fired
Militia on constant alert—tired, sleepy, cold
and anxious – after all, this is the greatest
military might in the world;
Captain Parker and Lexington Militia told to
make a show, then disperse – no blood
shed;
Maj. Pitcairn told his troops to disperse into
battle lines but under no circumstance
discharge their weapons.
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The British receive a very bloody nose –
move onto Concord, by now every militia
unit in New England is out – they armed
and dangerous.
British lose 273 dead and wounded and
many missing; the Americans suffer around
50 dead several wounded and some
missing;
The war is on in earnest; there is no turning
back – But John Dickinson and the
Philadelphia delegates to the 2nd
Continental Congress try to quell emotions
and stave off war.
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Dickinson and John Adams quarrel;
Olive Branch Petition (July 1775)– avowed
loyalty to King George; suggested it was
corrupt officials in Parliament that was
severing peace between King and Subjects;
asked George to protect them from further
aggressions;
Dissenters and radicals as John and Sam
Adams put forth a Declaration of the
Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms –
freedom and liberty were too important to
be left to the whims of a King.
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Bunker Hill or Breed’s Hill -- Israel Putnam and
John Stark are militia leaders as is Dr. Joseph
Warren—all are French and Indian War
veterans.
Gage saw that Bunker Hill was a military
advantage; he ignored it and awaited
reinforcements;
Americans seized the initiative and Bunker Hill
Dug in and waited for the British; “Do Not fire
until you see the whites of their eyes” Putnam
drew a line in the sand—a distance when firing
could begin.
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British determined to take Bunker Hill,
Americans determined to keep Bunker Hill;
British lost 226 dead, 828 wounded (250
would die of wounds) – many of the dead
and wounded were mid-Level officers – very
difficult to replace – replacements were
3000 miles away – many British officers
opposed the American War and refused to
serve in the American Theater – Walpole
stated – “another such victory as this and
we will lose the war …”
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The Americans had fled, but because they ran
out of ammunition;
Felt elated – they had stood toe to toe and beat
the British as Col. Putnam predicted –wrong
lesson to learn;
Lessons – Too much quarreling and
fragmentation between militia officers and
militia; poor logistics—they ran out of
ammunition, did not have bayonets and didn’t
know how to use; and in the end would the
Americans stand and fight – No, once the lines
were breeched the Americans fled in the face of
the bayonet; and until Washington had a
European trained core of elite Continentals – the
outcome remained in doubt.
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Capturing Philadelphia
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Summer 1777: British focus on Philadelphia
Washington’s army defeated at Brandywine and
Germantown
British conduct during capture of the city in the
fall of 1777 engendered hatred, strengthening
support for American cause
Disaster at Saratoga
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Just days after the capture of Philadelphia,
Americans achieve most significant victory to
that point of the war in New York
Victory convinced France to help Americans
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Saratoga did change everything, but I agree
with Joseph Ellis, Valley Forge is where the
Revolution was saved and eventually won.
It was the core group of indentured
servants, poor shop keepers and destitute
people with no prospects that made up the
Continental Army;
Washington also had the prescience to
inoculate his soldiers against small pox– the
largest killer of soldiers and civilians during
the war
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Trenton and Princeton (1776)—important
because it was a psychological victory—akin
to the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo –
Washington assumed the Fabian strategy –
it is not about victories, just don’t lose the
war – keep the army together and in tact—
fight and retreat;
Secure a foreign alliance—preferably the
French;
Why did the British continue their failed
strategy in America—afraid of a Domino
Effect in the West Indies, Spain, and then
India etc …Pacific
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The American Revolution Becomes a Global
War after Saratoga and the French Alliance
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Benjamin Franklin the key figure in
strengthening the French-American alliance
Winding Down the War in the North
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Winter of 1778: a low point for Continental
Army at Valley Forge
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Series of army uprisings, 1779-81
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War in the West
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Contest between the British and Americans
over Indian alliances
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Most tribes tried to remain neutral, but
generally lost power during course of
conflict
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The Siege of Charleston
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British captured Savannah, Georgia in 1778
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Moved on to Charleston, which surrendered in
1780
“Despite their armed presence in the North, the British had
come to believe that their most vital aim was to regain their
colonies in the mainland South.”
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The Partisan Struggle in the South
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The fall of Charleston energized the loyalist
movement on the frontier
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Rebels and loyalists battled for the
backcountry, both committing brutal acts
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Major American defeat at Camden, S.C.
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Greene Takes Command
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Defeated general at Camden, Horatio Gates,
replaced by Nathaniel Greene
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Greene began unconventional campaign against
superior British forces
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Southern militia units stemmed the British
advance northward
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Kings Mountain and Cowpens
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African Americans in the Age of
Revolution
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Black Americans made up one-third of
southern population
Dunmore’s offer of freedom in 1774 sparked
white fears of slave rebellion that never
materialized
African Americans sought liberty by fighting
for both sides: approximately 55,000 fled to
freedom behind British lines and to the North
“The British also lost in the Carolinas because they did not
seek greater support from those southerners who would
have fought for liberty with the British—African American
slaves.”
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American resolve, British failed strategy,
foreign alliance culminated in Yorktown Oct
1781 officially ending the shooting war.
Britain still held Charleston, Savannah and
New York while the treaty was being hashed
out in Paris;
Washington surrendered his sword to
Congress;
He also staved off a mutiny of officers “It
seems that not only have I grown old in
service to my country, but I have also
become almost blind.”
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The Significance of a Revolution
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American citizen-soldiers fought on their own
terms
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the Continental Army, whose ranks contained
a disproportionate number of the poorest
Americans, bore the brunt of the successful
rebellion
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With the end of the war, what awaited the
revolutionaries as they tried to build a new
nation?
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