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==The Revolutionary War==

==The Revolutionary War==

The Coercive (or Intolerable) Acts sparked the Revolution.  Britain had backed down from earlier conflicts caused by its laws, but not this time.  Britain was determined to bring America into line.   

The Coercive (or Intolerable) Acts sparked the Revolution.  Britain had backed down from earlier conflicts caused by its laws, but not this time.  Britain was determined to bring its colonies in America into line.   

The colonists responded with the [[First Continental Congress]], in 1774. Every colony except Georgia agreed to disobey the Coercive Acts and to withhold taxes, cut trade, and arm their people.  Their agreement is recorded in the Declaration of Rights and Grievances by John Adams.  The Congress also gave Massachusetts instructions on resisting the Coercive Acts, called the Suffolk Resolves.  Massachusetts, still heavily Puritan, was prepared to defy the British.  The Congress composed a set of Declarations and Resolves which established the colonies' position toward Britain.  The colonies agreed to end all trade with Britain in a final effort to have her alter her policies.  All of these plans were carried out.

The colonists responded with the [[First Continental Congress]], in 1774. Every colony except Georgia agreed to disobey the Coercive Acts by withholding taxes, cutting trade, and arming colonists.  Their agreement is recorded in the Declaration of Rights and Grievances by John Adams.  This Congress also gave Massachusetts instructions on resisting the Coercive Acts, called the Suffolk Resolves.  Massachusetts, still heavily Puritan and devoted to principles, was prepared to defy the British.  This Congress composed a set of Declarations and Resolves which established the colonies' position toward Britain.  The colonies agreed to end all trade with Britain in a final effort to have her alter her policies.  All of these plans were carried out.

Yet the British did not back down.  Colonists were prohibited from presenting petitions and declarations and resolutions to Parliament.  William Pitt, one of the colonists' few friends in the British Parliament, introduced a resolution to withdraw British troops from the colonies.  This was defeated in Parliament by a wide margin: 68 to 18.  Parliament officially declared that Massachusetts was in rebellion.

Yet the British did not back down.  Colonists were prohibited from presenting petitions and declarations and resolutions to Parliament.  William Pitt, one of the colonists' few friends in the British Parliament, introduced a resolution to withdraw British troops from the colonies.  This was defeated in Parliament by a wide margin: 68 to 18.  Parliament officially declared that Massachusetts was in rebellion.

Many Americans were ready to forsake all hope of peace.  Patrick Henry was one of these, when he said these words in a famous address, "Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, '''give me liberty or give me death!'''"

Many Americans were ready to forsake all hope of peace.  Patrick Henry was one of these, when he said these words in a famous address, "Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, '''give me liberty or give me death!'''"

On April 19, 1775, the British commander in charge of America, General [[Thomas Gage]], responded to orders from England to forcibly stop the rebellion.  He sent troops to march by surprise from Boston to Concord to seize a storehouse of rebel guns and ammunition, and maybe arrest some leaders.

On April 19, 1775, the British commander in charge of America, General [[Thomas Gage]], responded to orders from England to forcibly stop the rebellion.  He sent troops to march by surprise from Boston to Concord to seize a storehouse of rebel guns and ammunition, and perhaps arrest some leaders.

[[Paul Revere]] then went on his famous midnight ride to alert the colonists.  They were ready.  After years of conflict, war finally began.  At Lexington, just 75 colonists faced several hundred British soldiers.  When the British ordered the colonists to disperse, gunfire broke out.  Eight colonists were killed and ten were wounded in the ensuing chaos.  But 73 British died.

[[Paul Revere]] then went on his famous midnight ride to alert the colonists.  They were ready.  After years of conflict, war finally began. At Lexington, just 75 colonists faced several hundred British soldiers.  When the British ordered the colonists to disperse, gunfire broke out.  Eight colonists were killed and ten were wounded in the ensuing chaos. But 73 British died.

In 1860, which was 85 years later, the abolitionist American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote about the midnight ride of Paul Revere, which immortalized this beginning to the Revolutionary War:

Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,

<br>On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;

<br>Who remembers that famous day and year.

 

He said to his friend, ‘If the British march

<br>By land or sea from the town to-night,

<br>And I on the opposite shore will be,

<br>Through every Middlesex village and farm,

<br>For the country folk to be up and to arm.’<ref>https://www.bartleby.com/42/789.html</ref>}}

The British troops continued to Concord.  Here a larger number of colonists attacked them and routed them back to Lexington.  Only 93 colonists died in comparison to 275 British soldiers.  The British were narrowly saved by the arrival of reinforcements.

The British troops continued to Concord.  Here a larger number of colonists attacked them and routed them back to Lexington.  Only 93 colonists died in comparison to 275 British soldiers.  The British were narrowly saved by the arrival of reinforcements.

As the Congress met in Philadelphia, the colonial "Green Mountain Boys" captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775 because Ethan Allen wanted to protect his land holdings in a disputed area near Lake Champlain.  (Lake Champlain is located in the far north of Vermont, which was not a colony then.)  

As the Congress met in Philadelphia, the colonial "Green Mountain Boys" captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775 because Ethan Allen wanted to protect his land holdings in a disputed area near Lake Champlain.  (Lake Champlain is located in the far north of Vermont, which was not a colony then.)  

 

In January of 1776, [[Thomas Paine]]'s published a pamphlet called ''[[Common Sense]]'', which argued against divine rule and economic reasons to stay with Britain, in plain language.  Paine's book and ideas worked the colonists into a frenzy, and gave them the courage to realize that separation from Britain was necessary and attainable.  After only three months, 120,000 copies had been sold, which was equivalent to about 5% of the total population!  Today a bestselling book has sales of 30,000 out of a population of 300 million (only 0.01%).  '''''Thomas Paine's pamphlet ''Common Sense'' sold 500 times as much as a bestseller today, when measured as a percentage of the population'''''.  And many more read borrowed copies, or heard speeches that quoted from the book.

In January of 1776, [[Thomas Paine]]'s published a pamphlet called ''[[Common Sense]]'', which argued against divine rule and economic reasons to stay with Britain, in plain language.  Paine's book and ideas worked the colonists into a frenzy, and gave them the courage to realize that separation from Britain was necessary and attainable.  After only three months, 120,000 copies had been sold, which was equivalent to about 5% of the total population!  Today a bestselling book has sales of 30,000 out of a population of 300 million (only 0.01%).  '''''Thomas Paine's pamphlet ''Common Sense'' sold 500 times as much as a bestseller today, when measured as a percentage of the population'''''.  And many more read borrowed copies, or heard speeches that quoted from the book.

Here are some of Paine's words against divine rule: "The heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the Christian world had improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones.  How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!"   

Here are some of Paine's words against divine rule: "The heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the Christian world had improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones.  How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!"   

 

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that "all men are created equal," having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies' many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government breaks its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God's providence and truth.     

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was formally announced.  It declares that "all men are created equal," having natural inalienable rights.  The colonies' many grievances against the crown were listed.  It argued that government is a social compact and rebellion is justified when the government breaks its end of the bargain.  This logic was borrowed from the philosophy of John Locke.  But perhaps the most important part of the Declaration was its frequent invocation of God.  Our nation was founded on God's providence and truth.     

Fifty-six (56) people signed the Declaration of Independence, and many suffered greatly as a result.  Some were killed for defying the ruling authority.  Others, however, thrived afterwards.  They included Benjamin Rush, a physician, taught medicine at the first medical school, the Medical College of Philadelphia, and trained thousands of doctors.  Robert Morris, a wealthy merchant, helped pay for the Revolutionary War.  John Hancock had a successful political career, including being elected in a massive landslide as the Governor of Massachusetts.  Benjamin Franklin lived a long life that included participating in the Constitutional Convention in 1787.  The youngest signer of the Declaration was 26 years old (Edward Rutledge), an attorney who went on to have a successful career in South Carolina.

Fifty-six (56) people signed the Declaration of Independence, and many suffered greatly as a result.  Some were killed for defying the ruling authority.  Others, however, thrived afterwards.  They included Benjamin Rush, a physician, who taught medicine at the first medical school, the Medical College of Philadelphia, and trained thousands of doctors.  Robert Morris, a wealthy merchant, helped pay for the Revolutionary War.  John Hancock had a successful political career, including being elected in a massive landslide as the Governor of Massachusetts.  Benjamin Franklin lived a long life that included participating in the Constitutional Convention in 1787.  The youngest signer of the Declaration was 26 years old (Edward Rutledge), was an attorney who went on to have a successful career in South Carolina.

 

During the winter of 1777 Washington quartered his troops in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  This winter was filled with suffering.  Washington read to the soldiers inspiring words written by Thomas Paine a year earlier in a pamphlet series called ''The Crisis'':

During the winter of 1777 Washington quartered his troops in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  This winter was filled with suffering.  Washington read to the soldiers inspiring words written by Thomas Paine a year earlier in a pamphlet series called ''The Crisis'':

{{cquote|THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.<ref>https://www.ushistory.org/paine/crisis/c-01.htm</ref>}}

{{cquote|THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.<ref>https://www.ushistory.org/paine/crisis/c-01.htm</ref>}}

The troops lacked supplies and many died of starvation and cold.  But the training the troops received during this time was invaluable.  Prussian Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben drilled the troops throughout the winter, and his expertise may well have aided in turning the tide against the British.

The troops lacked supplies and many died of starvation and cold.  But the training the troops received during this time was invaluable.  Prussian Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben drilled the troops throughout the winter, and his expertise may well have aided in turning the tide against the British.

 

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, as the French entered on our side thanks to the renowned Benjamin Franklin.

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 thanks to the renowned Benjamin Franklin.

 

Benjamin Franklin had previously become widely admired and beloved in France.  This enabled him to be 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 had previously become widely admired and beloved in France.  This enabled him to be 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.   

Despite the alliance with the French and the northern victories by the Patriots (Americans), the British were still beating the Patriots badly in the South.  The British captured Charleston in 1780, taking 5,500 soldiers and huge amounts of weapons.  Finally, the Patriots installed General [[Nathanael Greene]], one of the revolution's best generals.  He started inflicting heavy casualties on the British, and they retreated from the Carolinas to Yorktown, Virginia.  A remarkable French General, Marquis de Lafayette, gave much of his personal fortune to support the colonies in this Revolution, and he led French soldiers in siding with the Americans.

Despite the alliance with the French and the northern victories by the Patriots (Americans), the British were still beating the Patriots badly in the South.  The British captured Charleston in 1780, taking 5,500 soldiers and huge amounts of weapons.  Finally, the Patriots installed General [[Nathanael Greene]], one of the revolution's best generals.  He started inflicting heavy casualties on the British, and they retreated from the Carolinas to Yorktown, Virginia.  A remarkable French General, Marquis de Lafayette, gave much of his personal fortune to support the colonies in this Revolution, and he led French soldiers in siding with the Americans.

 

In May 1781, two fleets of French soldiers helped trap the British at Yorktown, Virginia.  Known as the Battle of Yorktown, General George Washington won this battle and the war through brilliant military strategy as he trapped the entire British army of 8,000 and forced them to surrender.  This decided the outcome of the war in favor of the Americans.  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.  Known as the Battle of Yorktown, General George Washington won this battle and the war through brilliant military strategy as he trapped the entire British army of 8,000 and forced them to surrender.  This decided the outcome of the war in favor of the Americans.  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.