Chapter 8 America Secedes from the Empire. Essential Question O To what degree was Great Britain unfair to the colonists?

Chapter 8America Secedes from the Empire

Essential QuestionO To what degree was Great Britain

unfair to the colonists?

A Thin Line of HeroesO Very few colonists actually fought.O There were many Loyalists,

especially in New York and Virginia.O Blacks were both Patriots and

Loyalists, but many joined the British army with promises of freedom.

Second Continental Congress

O Met in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775O All 13 colonies send delegatesO They claimed the colonists only

wanted to restore their rights within the British Empire.O They even sent an Olive Branch

Petition to the KingO But, there’s fighting going on and

George Washington was chosen as leader of Continental Army

Early in the War

George Washington was chosen for his integrity, courage, and moral character

A bold move to capture Montreal and Quebec failed.

Benedict Arnold

So close!

Washington’s best general!

Hessian Hirelings

German Hessians had little loyalty to the British army and were quick to desert when times got tough.

Thomas PaineO Many colonists were prepared to embrace

Thomas Paine’s idea of all government officials deriving their power from the consent of the governed (republicanism).O Town meetingsO Annual elections (House of Burgesses)O Committees of Correspondence O Absence of hereditary aristocracyO Equality of landowning

My book, Common Sense, convinces many colonists to

fight for independence.

Patriots and LoyalistsO Patriots were called “whigs” and

Loyalists were called “Tories.”O Many rich colonists and

conservatives (those who wanted stability) were Loyalists.

Battle of Saratoga

General Burgoyne gets defeated at Saratoga, New York.

The victory at Saratoga convinces the French to get involved in the war.

Revolution in Diplomacy?

O The British Parliament offered the colonists home rule within the empire after their defeat at Saratoga. Should they take it?

O France offers a military and diplomatic alliance. Should the colonists take it?

O Benjamin Franklin, American ambassador in Paris, accepts the French alliance.

self-interest trumps ideals baby!

Colonial War

Lots of Loyalists in New York City, New Jersey, Quaker Pennsylvania, and the Carolinas.

Lots of Patriots in New England

Indians mostly sided with the British because they wanted to contain colonial westward expansion.

Defeat at YorktownGeneral Cornwallis was defeated at Yorktown, Virginia, with the help of the French navy.

Prime Minister North is demoralized.

King George III wants to fight more.

Your welcom

e

Peace at Paris

The Whigs replace the Tories in Parliament. The Whigs wanted peace and friendly relations in the future.

France wanted America to stay east of the Appalachian Mountains (France wanted to reward Spain for helping in the war by giving them lots of land in the West).

Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams were crafty and negotiated with the British behind France’s back. They negotiated a lot of land west of the Appalachians.

Peace at Paris

America makes out like a bandit!

Yeehaw!

Question to ConsiderO Was there anything Great Britain

could have done to prevent American independence? If so, what? If not, why not?