America Secedes

1
America Secedes

• 20,000 minutemen surround British at Boston
• 2nd Continental Congress
• Independence?
• congress sends list to Britain
• adopts measures to raise money
• chooses GW to command army
• GW looked like a leader
• did not accept pay

2
Bunker Hill

• Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture British
  forts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point (May, 1775)
• Colonials seize Bunker Hill (Breeds Hill)
• British launch frontal attack
• After Bunker Hill George declares open rebellion
• Hessians hired (booty not duty)

3
Abortive conquest of Canada

• Decision to try for 14th colony
• Assumed French Canadians would support them
• American attempt fails as Montgomery and Arnold
  retreat

4
Common Sense

• Thomas Paine Urged all out war
• Smaller Britain controls America
• Wanted Republic for America
• Some favored natural aristocracy

5
Explanation of Independence

• Congress in Philadelphia moves toward inde.
• June 7, 1776 Richard Henry
• Congress appoints Jefferson
• becomes a list of complaints and rights of man
• July 2 becomes day of celebration

6
Patriots and Loyalty

• Patriots (whigs) vs. Loyalists (torries)
• British could only control loyalist areas
• Loyalists strongest around Anglican church
• Patriots much younger
• Some farmers sold to highest bidder

7
Loyalist Exodus

• Patriots often sold off loyalist land
• Some 50,000 served the British during the war

8
French

• French provide gunpowder
• Fear of American reconciliation
• After Saratoga, British ready to give home rule
• French offer alliance and independence