F1.3

F1.3 - Consequences of the American Revolution Describe the consequences of the American Revolution by analyzing the:
 * birth of an independent republican government
 * creation of Articles of Confederation
 * changing views on freedom and equality
 * and concerns over distribution of power within governments, between government and the governed, and among people

toc =Historical Process= Using what you learned and supporting your arguments with evidence from primary and secondary sources, you will demonstrate your understanding by answering the following question:

font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; text-align: center; display: block;">How did the Americans gain their independence against all the odds? **
 * <span style="font-size: 130%;

Using these questions as guides, we will dig deeper into the people, places, and events that culminated in the independent United States of America.

=Video - 1776= This video is part of a larger series on the American Revolution. This video covers the people, events, and documents that made the final preparations for war against Britain for the goal of winning independence. As you watch, take note of the key leaders, the key events, and the key documents that made such a distinct impact on the start of the war.

=Video - Washington and Arnold= This video is part of a larger series on the American Revolution. This picks up late in 1776 as Washington looks to score little victories in New Jersey. It continues on to review the year 1777 as Britain made easy war in Pennsylvania. As you watch, take note of the key leaders, the key events, and the key documents that made such a distinct impact on the start of the war.

=Video - World at War=

=Video - England's Last Chance=

=Video - Birth of a Republic=

=Sources=

Document 1: "Free America
Lyrics: //Lift up your hands ye heroes and swear with proud disdain The wretch that would ensnare you shall lay his snares in vain. Should Europe empty all her force, we'll meet her in array, And fight and shout and shout and fight for North America!//

//Torn from a world of tyrants beneath this western sky. We form a new dominion, a land of liberty. The world shall own we're masters here, then hasten on the day. Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah, huzzah for free America!//

//Some future day shall crown us the masters of the main. Our fleet shall speak in thunder, to England, France, and Spain. And the nations o'er the oceans' spread shall tremble and obey, The sons, the sons, the sons, the sons of brave America!//

Document 2: "Chester"
Lyrics: //Let tyrants shake their iron rods. And slavery clank her galling chains. We fear them not, We trust in God. New England's God forever reigns.//

//The foe comes on with haughty stride, our troops advance with martial noise, Their veterans flee before our youth, and generals yield to beardless boys//

//What grateful offerings shall we bring, what shall we render to the Lord, Loud Hallelujahs let us sing, and praise His name on every chord.//

> **Troublesome Words** > //galling//: very, very irritating > //haughty//: blatantly and unapologetically proud > //martial//: related to an army or military > //yield//: give up or surrender

More Songs of the Revolution

Document 3: Excerpt of a Letter from George Washington
//George Washington to Col. Joseph Reed, Cambridge, November 28, 1775// In short, after the last of this month, our lines will be so weakened, that the Minute-men and Militia must be called in for their defence; and these, being under no kind of government themselves, will destroy the little subordination I have been labouring to establish, and run me into one evil whilst I am endeavouring to avoid another: but the less must be chosen. Could I have foreseen what I have experienced, and am likely to experience, no consideration upon earth should have induced me to accept this command. A Regiment, or any subordinate department, would have been accompanied with ten times the satisfaction, and, perhaps, the honour.

> **Troublesome Words** > //subordinate/subordination//: To be below and in obedience to and controlled by a higher authority > //endeavoring//: making a great attempt, going to great lengths

Document 4: Excerpt of a Letter from George Washington
//George Washington to John Bannister, sent from Valley Forge, April 21, 1778// Men may speculate as they will; they may talk of patriotism; they may draw a few examples from ancient story, of great achievements performed by its influence; but whoever builds upon it, as a sufficient Basis for conducting a long and [bloody] War, will find themselves deceived in the end. We must take the passions of Men as Nature has given them, and those principles as a guide which are generally the rule of Action. I do not mean to exclude altogether the Idea of Patriotism. I know it exists, and I know it has done much in the present Contest. But I will venture to assert, that a great and lasting War can never be supported on this principle alone. It must be aided by a prospect of Interest or some reward. For a time, it may, of itself push Men to Action; to bear much, to encounter difficulties; but it will not endure unassisted by Interest. . ..

Document 5: Excerpt of a Letter from George Washington
//George Washington to John Banister, April 28, 1778 sent from Valley Forge// Nothing short of Independence, it appears to me, can possibly do. A peace on other terms would, if I may be allowed the expression, be a peace of War. The injuries we have received from the British Nation were so unprovoked—have been so great and so many, that they can never be forgotten.

> **Troublesome Words** > //unprovoked//: (of an attack, or a display of aggression or emotion) not caused by anything done or said.

Document 6: Excerpts from Joseph Plumb Martin
// Martin was born in Becket, Massachusetts on November 21, 1760 to the Reverend Ebenezer Martin and Susannah Plumb. He joined the Connecticut State Troops in June 1776 and was assigned duty in the New York City area, arriving just before the opening of the British Long Island Campaign. His first tour of duty ended In December 1776, and he returned home just prior to the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. After a restless winter and spring back in Connecticut, the 16-year-old veteran reenlisted in the Continental Army in June 1777, signing on for the duration of the American Revolutionary War. //

"Our prospect was indeed dreary. In our miserable condition, to go into the wild woods and build us habitations to stay (not to live) in, in such a weak, starved and naked condition, was appalling in the highest degree….But dispersion, I believe, was not thought of, at least, I did not think of it. We had engaged in the defense of our injured country and were willing, nay, we were determined to persevere as long as such hardships were not altogether intolerable…"

"For on our march from the Valley Forge, through the Jerseys, and at the boasted Battle of Monmouth, a fourth part of the troops had not a scrap of anything but their ragged shirt flaps to cover their nakedness, and were obliged to remain so long after. I had picked up a few articles of light clothing during the past winter, while among the Pennsylvanian farmers, or I should have been in the same predicament. "Rub and go" was always the Revolutionary soldiers motto."

> **Troublesome Words** > //prospect//: Something expected; a possibility > //habitations//: A natural environment or locality, or a place of abode; a residence. > //dispersion//: to go or move in different directions; to spread apart > //obliged//: to put in one's debt by a favor or service > //predicament//: a difficult or unpleasant situation

Document 7: Excerpt of a Letter from George Washington
//To Continental Congress from Valley Forge, May 1, 1778// "With infinite pleasure, I beg leave to congratulate Congress on the very important and interesting advices brought by the Frigate L'Sensible. Genl. McDougall and Mr. Deane were so obliging as to transmit me the outlines of the good tidings. As soon as Congress may think it expedient, I shall be happy to have an opportunity of announcing to the Army with the usual ceremony, such parts of the intelligence as may be proper and sanctified by authority. I have mentioned the matter to such Officers as I have seen, and I believe no event was ever received with a more heart felt joy. I have the honor to be With great respect & esteem Sir Your most Obet Servt   Go: Washington

> **Troublesome Words** > //obliging//: willing to help; helpful in a friendly way > //sanctified//: to give official acceptance or approval to (something)

=Additional Sources=

Treaty of Alliance with France 1778
The most Christian King and the United States of North America, to wit, New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhodes island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, having this Day concluded a Treaty of amity and Commerce, for the reciprocal advantage of their Subjects and Citizens have thought it necessary to take into consideration the means of strengthening those engagements and of rondring them useful to the safety and tranquility of the two parties, particularly in case Great Britain in Resentment of that connection and of the good correspondence which is the object of the said Treaty, should break the Peace with france, either by direct hostilities, or by hindring her commerce and navigation, in a manner contrary to the Rights of Nations, and the Peace subsisting between the two Crowns; and his Majesty and the said united States having resolved in that Case to join their Councils and efforts against the Enterprises of their common Enemy, the respective Plenipotentiaries, impower'd to concert the Clauses & conditions proper to fulfil the said Intentions, have, after the most mature Deliberation, concluded and determined on the following Articles.

The two Parties guarantee mutually from the present time and forever, against all other powers, to wit, the united states to his most Christian Majesty the present Possessions of the Crown of france in America as well as those which it may acquire by the future Treaty of peace: and his most Christian Majesty guarantees on his part to the united states, their liberty, Sovereignty, and Independence absolute, and unlimited, as well in Matters of Government as commerce and also their Possessions, and the additions or conquests that their Confederation may obtain during the war, from any of the Dominions now or heretofore possessed by Great Britain in North America, conformable to the 5th & 6th articles above written, the whole as their Possessions shall be fixed and assured to the said States at the moment of the cessation of their present War with England.
 * Article XI**


 * See also the Treaty of Aranjuez (1779) between France and Spain. This treaty allowed Spain to declare war on Great Britain, too.**

Map
Military Campaigns during the American Revolution