CH8 – America Secedes from the Empire

Time Frame: 1775-1783

Objectives: At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

• Explain how American colonists could continue to proclaim their loyalty to the British crown even while they engaged in major military hostilities with Britain after April 1775.
• Loyalist Institute: Major Figures Index Page– Major Figures and timelines for Loyalists in the Revolutionary War
• Loyalist (American Revolution)– Contains more articles of Loyalist life and conflicts
• Explain why Thomas Paine’s Common Sense finally inspired Americans to declare their independence in the summer of 1776, and outline the principal ideas of republicanism that Paine and other American revolutionary leaders promoted.
• Thomas Paine’s Common Sense – Text Version
• Explain both the specific political grievances and the universal ideals and principles that Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence used to justify America’s separation from Britain.
• The 13 Colonies Video — History.com– Declaration of Independence
• Declaration of Independence – Study Guide for the Declaration of Independence
• Show why the American Revolution should be understood as a civil war between Americans as well as a war with Britain, and describe the motivations and treatment of the Loyalists.
• Loyalists, Fence-sitters, and Patriots [ushistory.org]– The different sides of the revolution
• revolution.h-net.msu.edu/essays/wulf.html– An example of a family that was involved in different sides of the Revolution
• Describe how Britain’s original strategic plan to crush the Revolution was foiled, especially by the Battle of Saratoga.
• Battle of Saratoga Turns the Tide — History.com Video
• Describe the fundamental military strategy that Washington and his generals, especially Nathanael Greene, adopted, and why it proved successful.
• Revolutionary War – Major General Nathanael Greene Sons of the American Revolution –  A biography of Nathaneal Greene
• Describe the key role of the French alliance in winning American independence, including the final victory at Yorktown.
• Office of the Historian – Milestones – 1776-1783 – French Alliance– How helpful and game changing the French Alliance was in helping the Patriots win the war.
• Describe the terms of the Treaty of Paris, and explain why America was able to achieve a diplomatic victory that far exceeded its military and economic strength.
• Treaty of Paris: Primary Documents of American History (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress

Resources

• Revolutionary War Summary (PDF)
  Graphic organizer by Dani Hall