Articles, Battles & Comparisons Independence Colonial movement Grassroots elites fueled by movements Examples: • John Dickinson’s Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania • Sons of Liberty & Committees of Correspondents Inspired by Enlightenment ideals Superiority of rep. Indiv. talent over self-government hereditary privilege • John Locke’s Social • Adam Smith’s Wealth Contract of Nations • Thomas Paine’s Common Sense HUGE BEST SELLER, “COMMON SENSE” 1776 Protestant religious fervor • Americans as “chosen people” blessed with liberty Local supplies French allies (eventually) Foreign help (Pulaski, LaFayette, etc.) Propaganda Strong political leaders Strong military leaders Know geography Tough, self-reliant Defensive war CAUSE Naval blockade power Regular army Recruited Indians, slaves, foreigners Hessians (German mercenaries) More people Money Reputation Established government Lack of recognition Badly disorganized No money Articles of Confederation (tax) Outnumbered Disunited government Tories/Loyalists (1/3) All goods/army had to be shipped Didn’t know who the enemy was (guerilla warfare) Didn’t know geography Mistakes Offensive war Had to win Other distractions • June 1775 Bunker • Deadliest battle-1,000 redcoats and 450 colonists Hill • Christmas 1776 Trenton • Washington crosses Delaware: beat Hessians • October 1777 Saratoga • Turning Point: British defeat convinces French • Winter 1777-78 Valley • Terrible Conditions Forge • 1781 York- • Cornwallis surrenders town British in New York Washington Crossing the Delaware Trenton British British Strategy Blunders Howe’s Cut the US military in two mistakes Howe’s Use personal advantages flaws Colonial troops retreat then surprise British at Saratoga Significance? • Convinces France that colonists can win “These are the times that try men’s souls” --Thomas Paine Britain’s New True Strategy Revolution John Jay John Adams Ben Franklin British recognized independence Land up to MS River Fishing rights (Newfoundland) To support payment of damages for loyalists’ property Never did! Trade agreement with England Free navigation of MS River Inspires rebellions elsewhere: • France • Haiti • Latin America, etc. The Articles of Confederation (1781-1787) Land Ordinance of 1784 & 1785 • Proposed by Jefferson • Created “grid system” (Township System) Reserved land for schools—significance? Northwest Ordinance of 1787 • Established criteria for statehood No power in No central $ central gov. system No No power to regulation of enforce trade treaties No military power Shay’s Rebellion Interstate fight over trade Weaknesses of the Articles.