American Revolution
...way
· Political struggle within America
o Whether to demand independence from Britain
o How to structure nation they proclaimed
· War over Brit surrendered at Yorktown (1781)
· U.S. a new type of nation
I. The States United
· Colonies unprepared for challenge
· War against world's greatest armed power
A. Defining American War Arms
· Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia
o Agreed to support war/disagreed on war purpose
· One end- grp led by Adams, Richard Henry See (VA) complete independence from Great Britain
· Other end grp. led by moderates John Dickenson (PA) modest reforms of imperial relationships early reconciliation w/ G.B.
· Delegates uncertain 2 different declarations
· Approves last conciliatory (peaceful) appeal to king Olive Branch Petition
· July 6, 1775 adopted "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms" Americans with 2 options : submission to tyranny OR resistance by force
· Americans fighting for a redress of grievances changed minds
o Costs of war original motives to Americans to cover increasing costs
o Affection for Brits diminished when Brits recruited Indians, slaves, etc.
o Colonists believed Brits pushing them towards independence b/c Brits rejected Olive Petition
· Brit gov't enforced Prohibitory Acts closed colonies to all sea trade naval blockade of colonial ports
· "Common Sense" by Thomas Moore (Jan 1776)
o exposed folly of continuing to believe peace w/ English possible
o king & system to blame
o revolutionary propagandist
B. The Decision for Independence
· support for independence grew rapidly 1st months 1776
· Continental Congress slowly moving toward break w/ England
o communication w/foreign...
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