The American Revolution: 1775-1783 Fighting the War and Declaring Independence

The American Revolution: 1775-1783Fighting the War and Declaring Independence

Ethan Allen and the GMB’s capture Ft Ticonderoga

Second Continental Congress- began after Lexington and Concord

GW- wealthy Virginian planter Chosen as Commander of Army

Olive Branch Petition, 1775

Nathan HaleCaptured as a spyHanged by the BritishSeptember 22, 1776

“I only regret I have one life to lose for my country

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Second Continental Congress- began after Lexington and Concord

December 23, 1776

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 that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. -Thomas Paine The Crisis

Battle of Saratoga, October 1777:The Turning Point

A part of the army has been a week, without any kind of flesh, and the rest for three or four days. Naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not been ere this excited by their sufferings, to a general mutiny or dispersion. Strong symptoms, however, discontent have appeared in particular instances; and nothing but the most acitive efforts every where can long avert so shocking a catastrophe.

GW’s letter from Valley Forge, February 16, 1778

Baron Fredrich von Steuben, trainer of American TroopsAt Valley Forge, 1777-78

Yorktown, 1781

If buttercups buzz'd after the bee,If boats were on land, churches on sea,If ponies rode men and if grass ate the cows,And cats should be chased into holes by the mouse,If the mamas sold their babiesTo the gypsies for half a crown;If summer were spring and the other way round,Then all the world would be upside down

“The World Turned Upside Down”

Treaty of Paris, 1783

The United States of America1783