America Secedes from the Empire (1775-1783)
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Haley Roxin
8/29/12
Chapter 8: America Secedes from the Empire (1775-1783)
Congress Drafts George Washington
After the bloodshed at Lexington and Concord in April of 1775, about 20,000 Minute Men swarmed Boston outnumbering the British
The second Continental Congress met May 10, 1775 with all 13 colonies represented; they had no thought of independence but merely a desire to continue fighting in hope that the king and Parliament would consent to redress colonial grievances
Drafted new list of grievances
Adopted measures to raise $ and to create an army and navy
The most important single action at this meeting was to select George Washington to head the army surrounding Boston
George Washington
Had never risen above the rank of colonel in militia; his largest command was only 1200 men
He was gifted with outstanding powers of leadership and immense strength of character
Radiated patience, courage, self-discipline, and a sense of justice
A great moral force; people instinctively trusted him
Washington served without pay but kept a careful expense account amounting to $100,000 +
His selection was largely political because prudence suggested a commander from Virginia: the largest and most populous of the colonies
Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings
Early Battles of the War
From April 1775 to July 1776- before they plunged into independence, the war was fought on a contradictory basis
The colonists maintained loyalty to the king, but were shooting his soldiers
In May 1775, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold led a tiny American force to surprise and capture a priceless store of gunpowder and artillery at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, NY
In June of 1775, the colonials seized Bunker Hill (actually Breeds Hill)
The British, in error, launched a frontal attack rather than flanking them the 3,000 British were mowed down by the 1,500 sharpshooting Americans
The colonials gun powder eventually gave out and they were forced to leave the hill
In July 1775, the Continental Congress adopted the “Olive Branch Petition” professing American loyalty to the crown and begging the king to prevent further hostilities
After Bunker Hill, George III slammed the door on all hope of reconciliation and formally announced the colonies rebellion which was a treasonous affair, a hanging crime
King George III hired German soldiers called Hessians (most came from German principality of Hesse) to crush the colonials
Hessian hirelings were dubbed “Hessian flies” because they were seduced by American promises for land and hundreds deserted and remained in America to become respected citizens
3. The Abortive Conquest of Canada
In October 1775, the British burned Falmouth (Portland), Maine
The colonists moved north to invade Canada because if successful it would add a 14th colony
Felt that the French-Canadians were still angry about Britain taking over their land
General Richard Montgomery captured Montreal
He was joined by General Benedict Arnold at Quebec
An assault on Quebec was launched on the last day of 1775; Montgomery was killed and Arnold was wounded in one leg retreated up St. Lawrence River, reversing the way Montgomery had come
French-Canadian leaders showed no desire to welcome the plundering Anti-Catholic invaders
Fighting Continues
In January 1776, the British set fire to Norfolk, VA
In March, British were finally forced out of Boston (Evacuation Day is still celebrated annually in Boston)
Southern Victories
South won two victories in 1776
One in February at Moores Creek Bridge, NC against 1,500 loyalists
One in June at Charleston Harbor against an invading British Fleet
4. Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense
Thomas Paine and His Pamphlet
In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote one of the most influential pamphlets ever written, called “Common Sense”
Within a few months, 120,000 copies were sold!
In Common Sense, he branded the colonials as shilly-shallying rather than using “common sense”
Nowhere in the universe did a smaller body control the larger one!!!!!!
Implying that England should NOT be controlling America
Referred to the king as “The Royal Brute of Great Britain”
5. Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism”
More of Paines Ideas
Paines passionate protest called for not just independence, but for the creation of a democratic republic
Power came from the people to all government officials
Paines radical idea for the colonies fell on receptive ears
Many New Englanders already practiced a kind of republicanism in their democratic town meeting and annual elections
Different Opinions (Not in Agreement)
Some preferred a republic ruled by a “natural aristocracy” they did not want an end to social hierarchy, just hereditary aristocracy
The contest to define American republicanism would noisily continue for the next 100 years
PAINES MAIN