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7.2 and 7.3 Notes

Common Sense •Common Sense- pamphlet written by •Argued for breaking away from GB •Sold 500,000 copies across the colonies •Written for the common man •Said people, not /queens should make the laws •Helped to gain support for independence

Declaring Independence •June 1776, Second created a committee to write the Declaration of Independence –, , , Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman were all committee members –Thomas Jefferson was the main author

Declaration of Independence •Three main ideas –All men possess unalienable rights •Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness – George III violated the colonists’ rights •Passing unfair laws, interfering with colonial self-gov’t •Taxing colonies w/out their consent –Colonies had the right to break away from GB •Rulers should protect the rights of their citizens –July 4th, 1776 Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence

Patriots Vs. Loyalists •Patriots-colonists who fought for independence •Loyalists- colonists who remained loyal to GB –Also called Tories •Loyalists became targets of abuse by Patriots •100,000 loyalists fled to Canada during the revolution

Reactions to the Declaration •The Declaration did not give everyone freedom •Some were upset that the wording of the Declaration of Independence “all men are created equal” did not mention women –Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams was a proponent for women’s recognition •The Declaration also did not recognize enslaved African Americans –Slavery was legal at the time –Some Northern states began to abolish slavery in the 1780’s British vs. Patriots British •At the start of the war, the British had the advantage +More money +More resources +Powerful Military •Largest Navy in the world •Professional soldiers –British had to ship supplies across the Atlantic –Fighting against enthusiastic Patriots –/ + Some soldiers were mercenaries- hired foreign soldiers

Colonists –No navy at all –Army was made up of poorly trained militia (regular people) + Most American citizens supported revolution + Colonists were fighting for a cause they believed in

African American Influence •Washington’s first task was to organize and raise more troops for the –230,000 soldiers served over the course of the war –145,000 more joined local militias •Many African Americans served in local militias •Some Southerners did not want American forces to include AA soldiers •At first, Washington banned AA from serving in the army •Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation – promised freedom to any slave who fought for the British •Thousands of slaves signed up •The Continental Army then began allowing free African Americans to enlist

American Indian Influence •American Indian groups fought on both sides of the war –British had many Indian allies –Mohawk leader Thayendanegea, Joseph Bryant •One of ’s key allies •Persuaded many Iroquois to support the British –Colonists tried to persuade tribes to at least stay neutral

Women’s impact on the war –ran farms and businesses while men served as soldiers –Raised money to help buy supplies –Joined sewing groups to make uniforms –Some were messengers, nurses, or spies –Molly Pitcher- nickname given to Mary Ludwig Hays, she brought water to patriots during the revolution Early British Victories Quebec • Some Patriot leaders wanted to fight a defensive war, which would help the army’s supplies last longer • Others wanted to be more aggressive and take control of British-controlled Canada • General led his troops on a long march through present-day Maine towards Quebec. o General Arnold’s forces joined General , who had recently captured St. John’s and Montreal. • Facing cold weather, and troops nearing the end of their enlistments, the generals needed to act quickly • Their strategy was to wait for a snowstorm. o The snow storm would provide cover while the Patriots got close to the city’s defenses • During a blizzard, on 12/31/1775, they attacked Quebec • The Americans suffered a crushing defeat o General Montgomery was killed in the battle o More than half of the troops were captured, killed, or wounded

New York • Patriot General Washington and his troops were stationed in New York, in July 1776 • British General Howe and his troops drove the Continental Army off of Long Island. o Washington’s troops retreated to Manhattan Island o The British force was much larger and better equipped than the Patriots o Many Patriots were captured, killed, or tried to flee the army. o The Patriot troops eventually were forced