The American Revolution 1776 - 1783

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The American Revolution 1776 - 1783
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Political Advantages Americans British

• Fighting to defend independence
• Democracy
• Help of France

• Well organized, respected govt.
• 1 power in the world

3
Economic Advantages Americans British

• Short supply lines
• Live off the land

• Benefits of empire huge trading network
• Many industries to create supplies

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Social Advantages Americans British

• Identity as American defined
• Women help outgain respect

• Loyalists help out

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Military Advantages American British

• Guerilla warfare
• Home field advantage
• Goal Independence
• Good leaders Washington
• Help from others Lafayette, von Steuben

• 1 military power in world
• Well-trained, well-disciplined troops,

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Disadvantages for Americans?

• MONEY!!! (limited)
• SUPPLIES (low)
• TRAINING (poor)

Disadvantages for British?

• DISTANCE (England 2,000 miles away difficult to
  communicate and coordinate.
• FOREIGN MERCENARIES (Fighting for a pay check,
  not their own homes/freedom)

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The Importance of...

• BATTLE OF SARATOGA turning point of the
  war...American victory encourages the French to
  support our cause!
• VALLEY FORGE American forces survive to fight
  again better trained and organized army

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The Importance of...

• Friedrick von Steuben Prussian ofice 1778
  comes to Valley Forge to train soldiers...march,
  fire/reload, use bayonet
• Marquis de Lafayette French general advised
  and fought w/ Washington
• Yorktown, VA British General Corwallis
  cornered by French fleet off coast...surrenders
  to Washington 1781

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What did the Americans win?
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Treaty of Paris - 1783

• Great Britain recognized independence of U.S.
• Set boundaries Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi
  River
• Granted generous fishing rights to U.S. in the
  Grand Banks
• Great Britain promised to leave American soil
• U.S. promised to repay Loyalists for property
  lost during the Revolution

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United States in 1783
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Political Effects

• U.S. officially recognized as independent nation
• 13 united states
• State constitutions guaranteed basic rights and
  freedoms
• Foundation democracy
• Expanded voting rights to adult white males (who
  owned property in order to hold office)

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Economic Effects

• End mercantilism and restrictions on trade
• Need to industrialize
• End system of primogeniture (eldest son
  inheriting entire estate) prevent any type of
  nobility based on inheritance
• End trade preferences within the British empire
  (lost some of our best customers)
• Inflation (Continentals worthless currency)
• Debt to both foreign countries and American
  investors
• High unemployment

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Social Effects

• Identity of American- individualism diversity
• No aristocratic titles of nobility
• Social mobility
• Westward migration encouraged
• Separation of church and state
• Issues involving womens rights and slavery
  continued
• Increased importance of education to democracy

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Why did the Americans win?