Henry County Schools



Declaring IndependenceAfter the battles of 1775, the colonies and Britain were are warNot all colonists felt this was right (some still thought of the king as their ruler). Other colonists were Patriots. They wanted independence. Patrick Henry thought that independence was worth fighting for. “Give me liberty or give me death.”Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called “Common Sense”Brief, inexpensive, and easy to understandWrote that the king treated the colonies unfairlyClaimed the only way to stop this was to be independent 825524003000Colonists bought over 100,000 copies within a few months“The colonies have nothing to gain and much to lose by staying loyal to the king”IndependenceJune 7, 1776 – Richard Henry Lee asked Congress to declare independence.Congress asked THOMAS JEFFERSON and four others to write a DECLARATION (a statement that declares an idea) of independence. Jefferson wrote that people were born with natural rights that no one can take away. People have the right to live, the right to be free, and the right to seek happiness.“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…”Government should protect these rightsListed many ways that King George had abused his power. July 4, 1776, 2nd Continental Congress voted to accept the Declaration. Signing it could be dangerous because Britain saw it as TREASON (the crime of fighting against one’s own government)Delegates who signed could be hanged. ? of Americans were Patriots. 1/5 were Loyalists (someone who was loyal to the king). The rest were neutral. LoyalistsDisagreed with how King George III governed colonies, but still wanted America to be a part of Britain. If they worked for the British government, they would lose their job if America won. Some enslaved African Americans were Loyalists because they were offered their freedom if they helped the British army. Some Native Americans helped the British because they hoped that if the British won, they would stop settlers from taking land. PatriotsFound many ways to support the cause of independence. Joined the Continental Army Loaned money Some African Americans were offered their freedom if they fought for the PatriotsSpies and messengersWomen became cooks and nurses as well as spies and messengersDuring the warHome were destroyedPrices of food, clothing, and supplies inflated The War in the NorthThe Continental Army was not as large/strong as the British army. Fighting on home groundKnowledge of the land allowed them to plan attacksGeorge WashingtonGeorge WashingtonSprint 1776 - Army forced Britain out of BostonAugust 1776 - Britain defeated the Continental Army in the Battle of Long IslandWashington’s army had to RETREAT (move away from the enemy)Hired spies to keep track of the BritishNathan Hale was sent, but was captured and hanged. Marched through NJ and into PAHelped to keep soldier morale positive. His leadership helped many soldiers keep going during difficult timesTrentonWashington planned a surprise attack in Trenton, NJThe soldiers in Trenton were German MERCENARIES (soldiers who are paid to fight for a foreign country)December 25, 1776 – Washington and his soldiers rowed across the icy Delaware RiverAfter dawn, they attackedMercenaries were still sleepy after celebratingWashington’s army caught them by surprise and took almost 1,000 prisonersJune 1777 – British began to attack from Canada (Battle of Saratoga)An engineer set up a long wall of earth and logs on a hill so that the Americans could fight from behind itBenedict Arnold – led many attacks against the BritishAmericans won and forced 5,000 soldiers to surrenderBenjamin Franklin was in France trying to get helpAfter the Battle of Saratoga, they sent money, soldiers, and their navy to help. Soon Spain, the Netherlands, and Russia helped, too. Valley ForgeA German soldier joined the army and taught the Americans to march together and how to use their weapons properly. Became good soldiersThe War in the South and the WestAfter 3 years, Britain changed their STRATEGY (a plan of action)1779 – made a plan to invade the south Thought the South had more loyalistsCaptured Savannah and Charleston, SC. By Spring 1780, they controlled GA and SCBenedict Arnold – Hero of Saratoga, but changed sides and became a TRAITOR (someone who is not loyal). He was a British general. British won many battles in the SouthSouthern Patriots fought back using surprise attacks (they would sneak up, attack, and retreat quickly)Nathanael Greene made a plan to wear out the British army Forced the British army to chase them The British beat Greene in every major battle, but could not destroy the armySpring 1781, British army retreated. The strategy worked. British were losing the war in the west200 Patriots captured the British forts in the Ohio River ValleyThe War Ends418338018224500Summer 1781, General Cornwallis led British army to Yorktown, Virginia. Washington learned where he was and marched his army to meet him. Ships from the French navy met him, tooAmericans and French fired their cannons at the British day and nightFrench Navy blocked the Yorktown harbor so no British ships could helpOctober 19, 1781 – British army surrendered. Treaty of ParisSeptember 3, 1783 – US and Britain signed the Treaty of ParisGave Patriots two things – America became an independent nationAmericans gained land ................
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