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In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation (ratified in 1781) to govern the colonies.  This established a weak national government, without a president or courts, and unanimous approval was required to amend the Articles of Confederation.

In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation (ratified in 1781) to govern the colonies.  This established a weak national government, without a president or courts, and unanimous approval was required to amend the Articles of Confederation.

At Saratoga in upstate New York in October 1777, 6,000 British soldiers surrendered, constituting a huge victory for the colonies.  It is a mystery to this day whether [[Benedict Arnold]] actively directed our army there, or had little influence, before becoming a traitor and going over to the British side.  The Saratoga victory was the turning point in the war, because the French then ended its neutrality and entered on our side.

At Saratoga in upstate New York in October 1777, 6,000 British soldiers surrendered, constituting a huge victory for the colonies.  It is a mystery to this day whether [[Benedict Arnold]] actively directed our army there, or had little influence, before becoming a traitor and going over to the British side.  The Saratoga victory was the turning point in the war, as the French entered on our side.

Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in obtaining French backing for the American cause and forging the Franco-American Alliance in 1778.  Due to Franklin's efforts as an ambassador to France, and the inspiration of the colonies' victory at Saratoga, France recognized the colonies' independence, entered into a military alliance with the colonies, and renounced its territory east of the Mississippi as well as Bermuda.  Franklin, it is worth noting, had other significant achievements that included writing the ''Poor Richard's Almanac'', inventing the Franklin stove for heating, and starting the first library.   

Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in obtaining French backing for the American cause and forging the Franco-American Alliance in 1778.  Due to Franklin's efforts as an ambassador to France, and the inspiration of the colonies' victory at Saratoga, France recognized the colonies' independence, entered into a military alliance with the colonies, and renounced its territory east of the Mississippi as well as Bermuda.  Franklin, it is worth noting, had other significant achievements that included writing the ''Poor Richard's Almanac'', inventing the Franklin stove for heating, and starting the first library.   

In May 1781, two fleets of French soldiers helped trap the British at Yorktown, Virginia.  The British were forced to surrender their entire army of 8,000.  But the British still held New York, and did not finally sign a peace treaty until February 1783, the Treaty of Paris.  In it the British gave up their claim to land east of the Mississippi, from Canada to Florida.  The Americans promised to treat fairly the Loyalists (colonists loyal to the King) and English creditors (people owed money by colonists).  Some people on both sides refused to abide by the treaty, and loyalty to England continues to run deep to this day in some American families.

In May 1781, two fleets of French soldiers helped trap the British at Yorktown, Virginia.  The British were forced to surrender their entire army of 8,000.  But the British still held New York, and did not finally sign a peace treaty until February 1783, the Treaty of Paris.  In it the British gave up their claim to land east of the Mississippi, from Canada to Florida.  The Americans promised to treat fairly the Loyalists (colonists loyal to the King) and English creditors (people owed money by colonists).  Some people on both sides refused to abide by the treaty, and loyalty to England continues to run deep to this day in some American families.

== References ==

== References ==

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[[Category:American History lectures]]

[[Category:American History lectures]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:American History Lecture 02}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:American History Lecture 02}}