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This presentation explores the pivotal events and ideas that led to the American Revolution. It highlights key incidents like the Boston Massacre, Stamp Act, and Boston Tea Party, alongside Enlightenment influences. The struggle for independence culminated in the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776, which embraced the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The aftermath saw challenges in unifying the newly formed nation, the impact of loyalists, and the complexities of American nationalism. Delve into the evolving concepts of nationhood and the sacrifices made for independence.
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The American Revolution Social 20-1 “How thirteen colonies created a nation that no one quite foresaw”
Causes of the American Revolution • Treaty of Paris • Boston Massacre • Stamp Act • Taxation without Representation • Boston Tea Party • Intolerance Acts • Quebec Act • Navigation Acts • Enlightenment thinkers
PAUL REVERE & BUNKER HILL • Start of revolution • Paul Revere’s ride = ‘the British are coming, the British are coming…’ • First battle at Bunker Hill near Boston
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE • July 4th, 1776 • ‘life, liberty, & pursuit of happiness’ • Drafted by T. Jefferson from ideas of Locke & Montesquieu • Check & Balance
Loyalist Strongholds
Washington’s Headaches • Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral]. • State/colony loyalties. • Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. • Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben.
Military Strategies The Americans • Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. • Guerilla tactics [fight an insurgent war you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down] • Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies. The British • Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So. • Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. • “Divide and Conquer” use the Loyalists.
Aftermath • England was shocked at having lost one of their most valuable colonies. However, they are able to finance the war (easily) and are not hurt by the conflict • France is utterly broke after the war, and is barely able to finance their debt. • To be continued… • The 13 colonies struggle to identify themselves as a nation and to finance the war. However, they are fairly successful
Features of American Nationalism • What do you believe is/are the key features of American Nationalism?
Features of American Nationalism • Political – Republican system; liberty • No aristocracy/nobility • Self-made man • Social – Frontier/pioneering; individualism • “Melting pot” – assimilation into American culture • “Collective Consciousness” • Spirituality/Religion – stems from a strong Christian background in many areas • Economic – the American Dream • Relationship to the land – land of opportunity
Unification of the States Loyalists Liberty and Individualism Slavery Social & Geographic Impacts of the Revolution
Unification of the States To prevail against the British, the 13 colonies had to unify However, the colonies were fundamentally different Republicanism • All power comes from the people, rather than some supreme authority • An independent, high-character population is needed • AKA: Small Landowners
Loyalists • As noted earlier, up to 1/3 of Americans sympathized with the British and wished to remain subjects • As a result of the war, many left the States • Led to the creation of Upper and Lower Canada • Led to the beginnings of Anglophone and Francophone tensions
Liberty and Individualism • Remember the ideal of a Republic: • Need small landowners • Only white, male landowners were eligible to vote though • Contributions of women towards the war effort was recognized, but women were still subordinate to men • Continuation of slavery – a question of how to integrate “blacks” • Native Americans exploited and displaced
Slavery • Slavery was vital to the South’s economy • African-Americans were not seen as equals • The British freed some slaves during the Revolution, while others earned freedom during the war • But again, they were not seen as equals
Geographic Impacts • The new American nation only existed in a small portion of land • There was a great desire to spread West • “Manifest Destiny” • A belief (and later a document) which outlined the American right to expand • The right to control ALL of North America
Changing conceptions of Nation European/British American Nation = Republic Patriot Nation – only those who share American ideals are welcome Power of the common person & independence • Nation = Empire • Civic Nation – all welcome so long as they appreciate British politics • Power of the crown and the aristocracy
Conclusions • The American Revolution began a series of revolutions against traditional political and economic systems • The concept of a “nation” began to change – here, our definition is born • Nation: a group of people who decide they are a nation • Think Critically: Why was so much blood shed in this revolution, when Canada achieved its independence through diplomacy?
